Bed & Breakfast Scones - cooking recipe

Ingredients

Basic Scones
2 cups flour
3 tablespoons sugar (or more)
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup butter (room temp)
1/2 cup milk
2 eggs
Optional Add Ins (up to a cup)
1/2 cup dried apricot, chopped (optional)
1/2 cup mini chocolate chip (optional)
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
1/2 cup grated cheese (optional)
1/2 cup raisins (optional)
1/3 cup dried currant (optional)
1 cup craisins (optional)
1 tablespoon orange peel, coarsely chopped (optional)
1 tablespoon lemon zest (optional)
1 tablespoon poppy seed (optional)
Flavoring of choice (discretion)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 teaspoon banana extract
1 teaspoon orange extract
1 teaspoon brandy
Topping of Choice (just one)
2 2 teaspoons sugar crystals (holiday or seasonal) or 2 teaspoons candy sprinkles (holiday or seasonal)

Preparation

Preheat oven to 400; set aside a lightly greased baking stone or cookie sheet.
In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients; cut in butter to resemble coarse crumbs; select one or more Optional Add-In from the list above (equalling about 1 cup total); make well in the center.
In a measuring cup, mix milk and eggs, pour into well in flour mixture EXCEPT -- reserve about 1 tablespoon of egg-milk; add flavoring of choice.
Stir flour-milk mixture with a fork, it will be slightly dry and rather stiff (add a bit extra milk if it appears \"too\" dry).
Dump dough onto a floured surface, incorporating any dry crumbs from the bottom of the bowl; knead several times but DO NOT OVERWORK the dough.
Divide into two balls; place one on either end of the baking stone or cookie sheet; pat into an 8-inch disk, about half-inch thick.
Using a pastry brush, spread the reserved egg-milk over the tops of both disks; sprinkle with Topping of Choice covering thoroughly.
With a pizza cutter or big knife, cut each cake into wedges (four large or six small), LEAVE IN PLACE.
Bake for 20-25 minutes (tops will be golden brown); separate wedges and check that dough is \"dry\" -- if not, pop back in oven & give it 2-3 more minutes; then serve immediately.
SERVE WITH: Recipe #186965 or Recipe #208437.
LEFTOVER SCONES: as if -- but okay IF you have leftovers, cut horizontally, spread with butter and toast lightly.
GREAT COMBINATIONS:
chocolate chips with cranberries & brown sugar topping.
chocolate chips with orange zest & orange flavoring.
cranberries with walnuts.
cranberries with apricots.
apricots with nuts.
poppyseeds with lemon flavoring & zest.
cheese with nuts or chocolate chips.