Baking: Scones, biscuits, cakes and more     

Something magical happens when we add leavening to flour, an egg or two, fruit, cheese or spices. Scones and biscuits, cakes and flans — the chemistry and alchemy of baking are intoxicating. Like a dependable algorithm: the sum always more than the parts…

Here’s my favourite scone recipe with a decidedly cheesy twist.

Phoebe and I made these in early August.

Kate loves them too!

White Cheddar and Chive Scones                                         

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 2 tbsp white sugar
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/2 cup butter, cut into small chunks
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 cup grated white cheddar (plus 1 cup for sprinkling on tops of scones)
• 2 tsp. snipped chives (plus 2 tsp. for sprinkling on tops of scones)

Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, salt, and baking soda. With a pastry blender or two knives, cut in the butter until well-blended. Small chunks should still be visible, but mostly worked into the flour mixture. Lightly blend in 1 cup of grated cheese and 2 tsp of fresh chives. In another bowl, combine the egg and buttermilk and beat well. Add the wet ingredients to the dry, stirring lightly to form a small ball of dough.

Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead a few times to form a smooth, soft consistency. Roll or press out with your hands to form a circle about 1/4 inch thick. Two options: 1) cut the circle into half, then quarters, then eighths so that each scone resembles a wedge of pie or, 2) using a round glass, press circles of 2 – 3 inches in diameter to form round scones.

Place the scones on parchment paper on a cookie sheet or a greased baking sheet. Brush the tops with an egg wash: 1 egg beaten with 1 tbsp. milk. Top with grated cheddar and snipped chives.

Bake for 12 – 15 minutes at 400 F or until baked golden.

Delectable Apple Torte                        

Delectable Apple Torte

Preheat oven to 350° F (180° C).  Butter a 9” springform pan.

½ cup (125 ml) butter
1 cup (250 ml) sugar
2 eggs
1 ¾ cup (425 ml) flour
2 tsp (10 ml) baking powder
4 large tart apples, sliced into eighths
1 tbsp (15 ml) cinnamon
1 tsp sugar

Cream butter and then add sugar and eggs, beating till very light and fluffy. Add flour and baking powder mixture, beating till smooth. Pour batter into springform pan. Press in slices of apple, mixed with cinnamon and sugar, in a circular pattern, first round the outside edges and then continuing with another circle inside. Bake for an hour.

6 tbsp (90 ml) butter
¾ cup (175 ml) sugar
2 eggs

Beat together this mixture of butter, eggs and sugar and pour atop the cake. Turn the temperature down to 325 and bake for another half hour.

Delicious warm from the oven or cooled!