Traditional Raisin Scones

• 3  cup  all-purpose flour
• 1  tablespoon  baking powder
• 1  cup  (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1/4  cup  plus 2 tablespoons sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1/3  cup  buttermilk
• 1/2  cup  raisins

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Sift together the flour and baking powder. In a separate bowl, beat the butter until creamy. Add the 1/4 cup sugar, beating until pale and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, and then add the flour mixture and the buttermilk. Sprinkle the raisins over the dough and gently fold them in. Using an ice-cream scoop, place mounds of dough on a baking sheet and sprinkle with the remaining sugar. Bake for 20 minutes. Serve the scones warm, with softened butter and preserves.

Yields: 1 Dozen scones
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Ease of preparation: Easy

Recipe courtesy Paula Deen