fresh apple scones in a blizzard

We are in the middle of a blizzard . Luckily, the snow is fine and dry, and huge swirls of snow are blowing across the roads and fields, and when it meets an obstacle, like a door or house, the drifts pile up. So much snow had piled against the front door, I spent a half hour trying to get it open. But so far, we still have power, so , after a little shovelling, I raced to the kitchen to make a special breakfast, just to celebrate. I was going to make an apple pie, but thought it might never finish baking if the power went off. How about a tender-crumbed apple scone, studded with juicy fresh apple chunks and sprinkled with cinnamon? 25 minutes later, I was biting into this delicious oats and apple scone.

Oats and Apple scones

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Makes 8 scones.

Preheat oven to 360F (375 is a little hot with my oven)

A baking sheet, no need to grease

1 1/2 cups King Arthur all purpose flour

1 cup rolled oats ( not instant)

1/3 cup brown sugar, packed firmly

2 t. baking powder

1/2 t. kosher salt

1 1/2 t. cinnamon

1 stick cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces

1/2 t. vanilla

1 cup peeled and diced apple

1/2 cup plus 2 T. buttermilk

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Preheat oven to 360F.

In mixer bowl, mix together the flour and oats, then the brown sugar, salt, and baking powder and cinnamon.

Add the cut up butter and mix until well incorporated.

Add the apples and mix, then add the buttermilk and vanilla, and mix just until it forms a ball.

Pat the dough into a circle on a lightly floured surface.

Cut dough circle into eight triangles and place on baking sheet, and sprinkle with sugar.

Bake for 25 minutes, remove, and cool briefly.

Slather with butter or jam, or apple butter and enjoy warm.

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Here's hoping all you New Englanders are safe and warm!