Maple Pecan Scones

Ingredients:

• 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 4 tsps baking powder
• A good pinch of salt
• 4 tbsps unsalted butter, chilled and cut into cubes
• 1 cup pecan pieces
• 1 extra-large egg
• ¼ cup pure maple syrup
• 3 tbsps milk
• 1 greased baking sheet

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 425 F.
2. Sift the flour, baking powder and salt into a large bowl. Add the butter and rub it in with the tips of your fingers until the mixture resembles fine crumbs. Mix in the pecans.
3. In a separate bowl, beat the egg with maple syrup and 1 tablespoon of the milk. Stir into the flour mixture with a round-bladed knife to make a soft, coarse-looking dough. If the dough is dry and crumbly and won’t stick together, stir in more milk 1 tablespoon at a time.
4. If the dough is very wet and sticky, work in another tablespoon of flour.
5. Tip out the dough onto a work surface lightly dusted with flour and gently work it with your hands for a few seconds so it looks smoother. Put the dough ball onto the prepared baking sheet. Dip your fingers in flour and pat out the dough to a round about 1 1⁄4 inches thick and 7 inches across. Using a knife, cut the round into 6 wedges, but do not separate the dough before baking.
6. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until light golden brown. Transfer to a wire rack and leave until the wedges are cool enough to separate. Serve warm the same day. The cooled scones can be wrapped tightly and frozen for up to 1 month.