Cranberry Orange Scones

I halved the recipe

4 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Pinch of salt

1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

1 cup dried currants, soaked overnight in 3 tablespoons brandy (I used dried cranberries soaked in Orange Juice)

1 to 1 1/4 cups heavy cream

1 egg beaten with 1/4 cup light cream

Sift the dry ingredients into a large mixing bowl. Using a pastry lender or two kitchen knives, cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse meal. (This can also be done in a food processor, using half the flour mixture, and adding the processed mixture to the remaining flour before adding the currants and cream.) Stir in the drained currants.

Mixing lightly with your fingers, add just enough heavy cream to hold the mixture togeher. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill approximately 30 minutes or overnight.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Roll out the dough 1/2-inch thick, and, using a biscuit cutter, cut the dough into various shapes. I rolled the dough into a circle 1/2-inch thick and cut the dough into 8 wedges (For half of the recipe. If you use the whole recipe you would make two circles). Place on parchment-lined baking sheets, brush the tops lightly with egg wash, and bake until golden brown and puffed, 13 to 15 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack.