Cornmeal-Dried Cherry Scones

Instructions

1. Adjust the oven racks to the upper and lower thirds and pre-heat the oven to 350F.
2. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or nonstick liners.
3. Pulse together the flour, cornmeal, 1 tablespoon of sugar, baking powder, and salt in the work bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade.
4. Cut the butter into small pieces and add it to the flour mixture.
5. Pulse until the butter is cut into very tiny pieces, about 30 seconds.
6. The texture should be sandy with very tiny lumps throughout.
7. Add the dried cherries and pulse a few times to mix.
8. Use a fork to lightly beat 1/3 cup of cream with the egg and vanilla in a liquid measuring cup.
9. With the food processor running, pour this mixture through the feed tube and process until the dough forms itself into a ball, about 30 seconds.
10. Dust a large piece of waxed or parchment paper with flour and turn the dough out onto it.
11. Knead the dough briefly and form it into a round about 3/4 inch thick.
12. Dip a 1 1/2-inch round plain-edge biscuit cutter in flour and use it to cut straight down through the dough and lift straight up, without twisting, to form the scones.
13. Twisting seals the edges of the dough and keeps the scones from rising well as they bake.
14. Gather the scraps together, knead briefly, and roll and cut the remaining dough into scones.
15. Transfer the scones to the lined baking sheets, leaving at least 1 inch of space between them so they have room to expand as they bake.
16. For the garnish:
17. Brush the tops of the scones with the remaining 2 teaspoons of cream, taking care that it doesnt run down the sides and under the scones.
18. If it does, wipe it up because it can cause the bottoms of the scones to burn.
19. Lightly sprinkle the tops of the scones with the remaining 1 teaspoon of sugar.
20. Bake for 9 minutes.
21. Switch the baking sheets and bake another 9 minutes, until the scones are light golden.
22. Remove the baking sheets from the oven and cool the scones completely on the baking sheets on racks.
23. Variations:
24. Add 1/3 cup of coarsely chopped toasted walnuts or pecans with the cherries.
25. Replace the dried tart cherries with dried cranberries or dried blueberries.