If you have never heard of scones, here is a little history. A scone is a quick bread that originated in Scotland. The actual name scone is said to have come from the place where kings were crowned. Scones can come in the shape of diamond, triangle or circle, but no matter how they are shaped, they are very tasty. They can be savory, sweet, or in the case of this recipe, a little of both. They are often eaten at breakfast or with tea, but any time of the day is a great time for a scrumptious scone.
For this recipe, you will need all-purpose flour, baking powder, sugar, ground red pepper, butter, cheddar cheese (shredded), 3 ounces of ham, buttermilk, and large eggs.
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Combine 2 cups of all-purpose flour with 1 tablespoon of baking powder, 2 teaspoons of sugar, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of ground red pepper. Cut 3 tablespoons of butter (stick butter will work best) into your mixture with two knives until it is the consistency of coarse meal. Chop 3 ounces of ham into small pieces with a knife. To your mixture, add 3/4 cup of shredded cheddar cheese and the diced ham. In a separate bowl, combine 3/4 cup of buttermilk and two large egg whites with a whisk. Add that to your mixture and stir until moist.
On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough very lightly four or five times. Pat the dough into a circle (about 8 inches wide). Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray then place your dough on it. Cut into the dough (not through though) with a knife, creating about eight wedges. Bake your dough at 400 degrees for 20 minutes or until brown.
Scones are great alone or when served with a soup or salad.