Scones prove durable, tasty gifts for mom and students
April 2, 2014
Soon comes Mom’s Weekend at WSU, and with it the chance to thank your mom for giving you the gift of life. Sure, you could have tried to get here on your own, but chances are good you would have mucked it up and turned out as a leaf or a bug.
So how to adequately thank her? Homemade scones seem appropriate.
Now, scones are not exactly equal to the love, sacrifice and determination required for motherhood. Moms have to put up with months of uncomfortable pregnancy, the horrors of birth and the idiotic things you did and continue to do, and no baked good will make up for this.
But they do outscore another bunch of wilting flowers, an inedible and indecipherable macaroni sculpture or a hasty phone call. And they are simple enough to make, using the basic ingredients of a baking kitchen and less than an hour of time. If your mom has a favored flavor or ingredient like chocolate, fruit or almonds, add them to make these scones custom-built. To make the tops extra toasty, apply a simple egg wash of one mixed egg and a tablespoon of sugar halfway through the cooking time.
Scones have a reputation as an English tradition, although most of the British Commonwealth will argue about how to pronounce it and if it should be made with cheese or fruit. If you or your mom want to be a bit posh, “scone” should rhyme with “gone.” If you’re satisfied with your American tongue, “scone” should rhyme with “endzone” or with “freedom biscuit.”
If your mom can’t make it to WSU for the weekend, you can send her a reverse care package of baked goods that won’t spoil for at least a couple weeks. Scones are easy to mail because they are fairly sturdy, take two weeks or longer to spoil, and are not sensitive to temperature changes. Make sure to plastic wrap the scones individually or in pairs and then cushion with crushed balls of your favorite newspaper.
Mom’s Weekend gives you the chance to show any of your siblings that you have the upper hand. In a month’s time on Mother’s Day, they will have to struggle against each other to make an impression. But you will already have a strong food-forged bond with your mother, thanks to the power of scones.
Scones are best served with fruit jam, some hot tea or cold milk and a deep conversation with the person that gave you life.
Method
• 3 cups flour (white and/or whole wheat)
• 1/2 cup sugar (brown or white)
• 5 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter, grated
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 cup milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease a baking sheet.
2. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Grate or cut the butter into the mix. Mix the egg and milk in a small bowl, and stir into flour mixture until moistened. If you add too much liquid, add more flour in increments until dough stops sticking.
3. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead briefly. Roll dough out into a half inch thick round. Cut into eight wedges and place on the prepared baking sheet.
4. Bake 15 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden brown.