These scones won’t curb your enthusiasm

The recent finale of “Curb Your Enthusiasm” put me in the mood for scones.

As Larry David fans know, scones were a running gag (and sometimes “dry” humor) through several seasons of his show. How would Larry rate these scones? “Prettaaay, prettaaay good!”

Key is the texture. Scones are basically elevated biscuits. (Don’t dare call them “fancy muffins.”) So, the texture should be biscuitlike, not overly crumbly. Handle the dough gently.

Traditional scones are topped with clotted cream and jam. These little gems need no extras; the fruit is baked right in.

Finely chopped peaches, nectarines, apricots, cherries or other soft fruit can be substituted for the strawberries. Using a food processor makes incorporating the butter into the flour a snap.

Strawberries and cream scones

Makes about 10 scones

Ingredients:

1 cup all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons sugar (divided)

3 tablespoons cold butter

2 eggs

1/3 cup heavy cream

1 teaspoon orange zest

1/3 cup strawberries, hulled and finely chopped

1 tablespoon water

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease.

In a food processor, combine flour, baking powder, salt and 1 tablespoon sugar. Pulse briefly to combine.

Cut butter into cubes and add to flour mixture. Pulse a few times to combine.

Lightly beat 1 egg. Stir in cream. Add egg-cream mixture to flour-butter mixture. Pulse briefly to combine. Add orange zest; pulse again.

Fold in chopped strawberries. Pulse briefly to combine.

Turn the dough out onto a floured board and knead gently with floured hands 10 times. Dough will be sticky and soft. Add a tablespoon or more of flour if needed to make it easier to handle.

Cut dough into 3-inch triangles. With a spatula, gently transfer scones onto prepared baking sheet.

In a small bowl, beat remaining 1 egg with 1 tablespoon water. Brush over top of scones. Sprinkle remaining 1 tablespoon sugar over top.

Bake at 450 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes, or until golden.

Serve warm.