Cinnamon Apple Scones for Afternoon Tea

An apple a day....... you know the rest.  I don't think it applies to apples baked with butter and sugar, wrapped in pastry or baked in a sweet muffin.  But it must do some good, after all it is still an APPLE!  

So here is another way to have an apple a day, Cinnamon Apple Scones.

I made these for afternoon tea but they make a lovely breakfast treat, too.  They are so easy to make because they are a 'drop' scone, no need to get out the rolling pin and cutters.

Here are the ingredients:

1 cup plain flour
1/2 cup old fashioned oats
4 Tablespoons soft brown sugar - you may need more if your apples are tart
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
pinch of salt 
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
4 Tablespoons butter - cut into small pieces
1 egg
6 Tablespoons of plain yogurt or milk
1 apple - peeled, cored and chopped into a fine dice

In a large mixing bowl, place all the dry ingredients and stir them together to evenly distribute all the cinnamon and baking powder.  Add the butter and use a pastry cutter to 'cut' the butter into the flour mixture.  If you like, you can use your fingertips and 'rub' the butter into the dry ingredients.  This is the traditional method of making scones and children LOVE doing it.  When the mixture looks like breadcrumbs, stir in the chopped apple.

In a small bowl, beat the egg and yogurt or milk together.  Pour the liquid mixture into the big mixing bowl and stir JUST until the ingredients are combined.  Over mixing will result in a tough, dense scone. 

Line a baking sheet with baking paper and spoon on the scone batter.  An ice cream scoop will help you make uniform scones but a spoon works, too.  You should make six fat scones from this batter.  Bake them for 15-25 minutes at 200C/400F.

Let the scones cool for a few minutes before sprinkling with icing sugar or drizzling with icing.  To make the icing, mix together 1/2 cup icing sugar and a Tablespoon of milk.  Add a drop or two of additional milk if you find the icing too thick to drizzle.

Serve warm with a pot of tea or a steaming mug of coffee.*   It's the perfect Autumn treat and we all know that 'an apple a day' is good for you!

*Warning:  Coffee, Cinnamon Apple Scones and small children should not be combined.  I recommend the traditional combination of cold milk and warm Cinnamon Apple Scones for Tiddlers and Wrigglers. (That's British for kids!)