Maple Pecan Scones

Maple Pecan Scones are a recipe appearing in The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Recipes from an Accidental Country Girl.

Official Description
I love scones...but only if they're coated with a thick, creamy icing. Don't tell the English! This recippe is one of my favorites, and uses the delicious maple icing from my world-famous (okay, county-famous) cinnamon rolls, And they love to be dipped in coffee.

Recipe
Scones


 * 3 cups all-purpose flour
 * 1/3 cup sugar
 * 5 teaspoons baking powder
 * 1 teaspoon salt
 * 1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, chilled
 * 1/4 cup pecans, plus more for sprinkling, if desired
 * 1 large egg
 * 3/4 cup heavy cream

Maple Icing


 * 1 pound powdered sugar
 * 1/4 cup whole milk
 * 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter, melted
 * Splash of strongly brewed coffee
 * Dash of salt
 * 2 teaspoons maple flavoring or maple extract

Preheat the oven to 350*F.

In a large bowl, stiir together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

Cut the cold butter into small pieces. Cut the butter into the flour...

Until the mixture resembles crumbs.

Now finely chop the pecans...

And stir them into the flour mixture.

Mix the egg and cream together. Add the mixture to the bowl.

Stir together until just combined.

Turn the mixture onto a cutting board. The dough will be very crumbly, but do not let your heart be troubled. With your hands, push the mixture together into a large ball. Do not knead or press too much; you want to leave that gluten alone!

With a rolling pin, very gently roll the dough into a 10-inch round about 3/4-inch thick.

With a sharp knife, cut the round into eight equal-size wedges. To do this, first cut an X...

Followed by a +. See? Eight equal-size wedges! And it only took me thirty-nine years to figure out this trick.

Transfer the wedges to a baking sheet lined with a Silpat baking mat. (Or just spray the pan with nonstick cooking spray; either one will work!) Bake the scones for 22 to 26 minutes, until they're just barely starting to brown. Do not allow the edges to become dark or the Red Coats will come and get you.

Allow the scones to cool completely before icing.

In a medium mixing mixing bowl, stir the icing ingredients until smooth. Pour generously over the scones.

Allow the icing to set before serving. Serve with yummy coffee.

Optional: Sprinkle chopped pecans over the icing before it sets.