Maple-Oatmeal Scones

WEll since my quest for the perfect chocolate chip cookie has finished, I had time to dedicate myself to my other age-old quest: the perfect scone. i've tried dozens of scone recipes over the past few years, and recently banged out 3 new ones. These are the very clear winner. perfect texture, perfect flavor, perfect ease of making. I halved this recipe from Ina Garten on the foodnetwork. but after having my breakfast scone this morning i wished i hadn't halved it- i want more!!! :)



3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup whole-wheat flour
1 cup quick-cooking oats, plus additional for sprinkling
2 tablespoons baking powder
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1 pound cold unsalted butter, diced
1/2 cup cold buttermilk
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
4 extra-large eggs, lightly beaten
1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon milk or water, for egg wash
Glaze:
1 1/4 cups confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract


Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine the flours, oats, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Blend the cold butter in at the lowest speed and mix until the butter is in pea-sized pieces. Combine the buttermilk, maple syrup, and eggs and add quickly to the flour-and-butter mixture. Mix until just blended. The dough may be sticky.

Dump the dough out onto a well-floured surface and be sure it is combined. Flour your hands and a rolling pin and roll the dough 3/4 to 1-inch thick. You should see lumps of butter in the dough. Cut into 3-inch rounds with a plain or fluted cutter and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

** I didn't do this step. for one i don't like kneading and flouring and getting all sticky. for another i like lumpy, craggy scones. for a third, it was much faster to just lop off some dough and make 6 equal balls.

Brush the tops with egg wash. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the tops are crisp and the insides are done.
(i also forgot to do this. doh! i think it would be great and is highly reocmmended)

To make the glaze, combine the confectioners' sugar, maple syrup, and vanilla. When the scones are done, cool for 5 minutes, and drizzle each scone with 1 tablespoon of glaze. I like to sprinkle some uncooked oats on the top, for garnish. The warmer the scones are when you glaze them, the thinner the glaze will be.
*this is MUST DO. the glaze is delicious!