Jalapeno Scones

JALAPENO-CHEDDAR SCONES: from Smith Bites

 2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

8 tablespoons (1 stick or 4 ounces) cold butter, diced

1/2 cup heavy cream

3 eggs, divided

1/4 pound sharp Cheddar cheese, diced (I used 3 ounces sharp cheddar AND 1 ounce pepper jack cheese + ONE jalapeno pepper)2 small jalapeños pepper, minced OR omit the jalapenos altogether and just use all pepper jack cheese (which I have done as well) 

Preheat oven to 400°F. In a small skillet, melt 1/2 tablespoon of butter and sauté the jalapeños in it until soft, about two minutes. Let them cool, then place them in a small bowl with the cheddar cheese and coat them with one tablespoon of the flour (from the original 2 cups listed above). Combine the remaining flour with the baking powder and salt. Cut in the remaining butter with a pastry blender, fork or two knives, until the butter bits are pea sized. (I tossed the dry ingredients in my food processor, pulsed a couple times to blend and then added the diced butter; pulse, pulse, pulse until the mixture resembles small peas – DON’T OVERMIX or the dough becomes tough!  I transferred the flour/butter mixture to another bowl and proceeded with the recipe.)Lightly whip two of the eggs and cream and add to the flour-butter mixture. Using a wooden spoon, fold mixture until it begins to come together. Add the cheddar-jalapeño mixture to the dough and mix until everything is incorporated.Turn out the dough onto a well-floured surface and knead gently for less than one minute. Pat dough out to a 3/4- to 1-inch thickness and either cut into 8 triangles or the shape of your choice with a biscuit cutter. Make an egg wash by beating the remaining egg with a teaspoon of water. Brush the scones with egg wash and place on a parchment-lined (or well-oiled) baking sheet. Bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown.SMITH BITES NOTE: When I make these for Thanksgiving, I use a smaller biscuit cutter (approx 1-1/2 to 2-inch size) which my family appreciates because there’s always so much to enjoy – you want a little taste of everything!