YUM!

I had a day off from work, and although I have a "To Do" list that stretches a mile long I decided to take time and bake! What a great alternative to cleaning and laundry right?

Baking is seriously one of my favorite things to do, I have been baking cookies, cakes (cheese cakes included) breads, cobblers etc. sense I can remember. I think the reason I love baking so much is because it brings others so much happiness. I mean how can you not be happy when you have a decadent cheesecake in your face saying, "EAT ME!"

Although cheesecake was not involved, today, the product was saaaweet!
Ok enough with the suspense I baked scones, Orange Cranberry Scones to be exact and they were scrumptious! (I didn't eat them all just one ;)) Perfect for a lazy saturday (or in my case if you are trying to put off chores.) I got the recipe from the Food Network app and it is by Barefoot Contessa. She does a lot of rustic, yummy food with a french flare. I really like her style.

The Recipe:
Ingredients:
4 c. flour + 1/4 cup
1/4 c. sugar
2 TBSP. baking powder
2 tsp. salt
1 TBSP orange zest (although I used more)
3/4 lb. cold butter
4 extra large eggs
1 c. cold heavy cream
1 c. dried cranberries
1 egg beaten with 2 TBSP water or milk for egg wash
1/2 c. confectioners' sugar
4 tsp fresh squeezed orange juice.

Directions:
preheat over to 400

In a bowl of an electric mixer with fitted paddle attachment, combine flour, sugar, and orange zest. Mix. Add cold butter cut into cubes. Mix on lowest setting until the butter is the size of peas. While mixing, in a separate bowl mix the eggs and milk. Once flour mixture is ready (butter size of peas) slowly add the milk mixture. The mixture will look lumpy but that means it's perfect. Add the extra 1/4 c flour and cranberries and mix together.

On a well floured surface dump the dough and knead into a ball. Flatten with hands so that the dough is 3/4 of an inch thick. Using a cup cut dough and place on a cookie sheet.

Beat one egg, add water to make an egg wash and brush over the scones. Sprinkle sugar over top of that and place in oven. Bake for 20-25 min or until light brown and fully baked, the tops should be stiff.

While that bakes mix orange juice and confectioners' sugar to make icing.

Once baked let cool and then top with icing. and enjoy!