A Tea Party and Scones

To start off I need to say... I by no means call myself a baker and/or a cook. However, when I find something that is super easy and even IIIIIII can do it I have to share.  So here is a recipe for Cranberry/Orange Chocolate Scones, Cheese Scones and Clotted Cream. I got the recipe from a book called "Simply Scones" but I have changed the recipe a bit for my liking. Also, I have a couple of ideas for ya if you want to get all fancy and have a tea-party. (Pinky's up! Oh boy that was cheesy...)

PARTY TIME!

Tea Sets:  I have had my tea-set for a while. Tea-cups and tea-pots are the cutest things to me. My mom has collected them since I was little and it's just part of my childhood and I love it. If you don't have any, thrift stores are a great option.

Napkins: I got this idea from a friend. Go to a thrift store and by some girly-looking napkins/hankies. When they are miss-matched it makes them twice as cute. Put a favor in them and tie the hankie with a bow. Perfect souvenir.

Tea: In my family we drink herbal teas. I suggest if you have kids coming over make it something fruity, they will like the sweeter flavors. My mom loves Chamomile for its soothing taste, I like citrus flavors. You kind of have to know your audience... as with any party you plan!

Additional Ideas: I thought it would be cute to get those crystal-sugar sticks to use as stirrers. Most Americans like sugar in their tea so these help sweeten the tea and adds a little decor. (I would just like to say I am British by blood and I prefer milk in my tea. Just had to throw that out there.)

Cranberry/Orange Chocolate Scones

Ingredients: 

1/2 Cup Dried Cranberries

1/2 Cup semi-sweet chocolate chips 

(Please note you may indeed use as much chocolate as necessary .. add more if you are going through heart break and/or just watched some sort of "Best Chocolate" show on the Food Network.)

1/4 Cups Granulated Sugar

2 Cups Flour

2 Tsp. Baking Powder

1/2 Tsp. Salt

1/2 Cup Unsalted Butter (Chilled)

2 Eggs

2 Tablespoons Orange Juice

1 Tsp Vanilla Extract

1/2 Tsp. Orange Peel

1 tsp vanilla extract, a couple tablespoons of powder sugar and orange juice (to taste) for optional glaze

Directions:

-Preheat oven to 400 Degrees 

-In a large bowl stir together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Cut the butter into small cubes and add them in. 

-(For this next part I would NOT suggest a blender... it can move too fast and mess things up.) Use a pastry cutter or two knives and mix the mixture till it has coarse crumbs

-In another bowl add the eggs, juice (I just used juice from the orange I was going to peel), vanilla and orange peel

-Add the wet and dry ingredients and mix (It's gonna be sticky!)

-Add in chocolate and cranberries

-Pat the dough into a 9-inch circle on parchment paper to put on baking sheet 

-Cut into 8 wedges and bake 20-25 minutes

-The optional glaze is super easy, add the vanilla, powdered sugar and orange mix until it becomes a glaze like consistency and place on top of the scones when they are out of the oven 

*For Clotted Cream... by some cream and the grocery store and beat that cream up! Be careful though, don't be it too hard because it will turn into butter.*

Cheeeeeese Scones

Ingredients:

2 Cups Flour

2 Tsp. Baking Powder

1/4 Tsp Salt

Dash of Black Pepper

1 1/2 Cups of cubed Sharp White Cheddar Cheese (You don't have to use white I just like it.)

3 Tbsp. Grated Parm. Cheese

1/3 Cup Unsalted Butter, chilled

1/3 Cup Milk

2 Eggs

Optional Glaze: 1 Egg yolk, mixed with 1 tsp of water

Directions: 

-Preheat oven to 400 Degrees 

-In a bowl mix flour, baking powder, salt, black pepper and Parm Cheese

-Cut butter into small cubes and toss it into the mixture and mix until it resembles coarse crumbs

-In another bowl mix milk and eggs

-Add the wet mixture to the dry mixture together- stir and then add the cubed Cheddar

-Knead the dough and spread into a 8 inch diameter. Cut into 8 wedges and cook for 15-17 minutes 

-If you want too, only if you want, you can mix the Egg Yolk and water together and spread it across the scones before they hit the oven. This will make them look all nice and golden brown when they come out of the oven!

To finish off, I would like to say it is a huge debate in England if the Clotted Cream or Jam comes first. Whatever your preference... let's keep it cordial. Happy Tea Time!