I love autumn and everything that goes with it, including the availability of fresh apple cider! My husband likes it for his morning juice, and I use it in many of my baked recipes, such as these Apple Cider Scones, which not only have fresh cider in them, but also large chunks of apples. So yummy!
Begin by gathering all your ingredients so that you have everything close at hand on the counter or table. Preheat oven to 400℉.
Peel, core, and slice 1 cup apple into small tidbit pieces.
Prepare the Dough
In a medium bowl, mix together 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/3 cup granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
Cut in 1/3 cup butter with a blending fork (or your hands) until the mixture becomes crumbly.
Create a hole in the center of the mixture, and add 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream, 1/2 cup apple cider, and 1 large egg. Mix together with a fork until it forms a ball.
Place dough on a lightly floured surface and fold in the apple pieces. Knead 4-5 times until the apples are incorporated. Pat the dough into a 9-inch circle.
Using a knife or bench scraper, slice the dough into 8 triangles. Place each piece on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. You could also use a scone pan, if desired.
Decorate and Bake Scones
Brush scones with heavy whipping cream and then sprinkle with 3 tablespoons sparkling decorating sugar. (If desired, you may add 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon to the sugar before sprinkling.)
Bake in preheated oven for 15-17 minutes until golden brown. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Serve scones with your favorite tea or coffee. They are wonderful with a little honey butter or apple butter. Makes 8 scones.
Notes
*Unless otherwise indicated, all butter used on this recipe site is salted.**You may also place the scones in freezer bags and freeze for up to 3-5 weeks. Then simply refresh them by placing them in a 350°F oven for 7-10 minutes to warm.