Lemon Cranberry Scones!

I love scones!  Perfect with a big 'ol cup of coffee, they are a welcome morning treat around here.  However, I often forgo them because of the dreaded calorie counting.  I was pretty happy to come across this recipe for Lemon Cranberry Scones over at Gina's Skinny Recipe blog.  They were pretty tasty and everyone enjoyed them. 

• 2 tbsp sugar
• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, divided
• 1/2 cup low fat buttermilk (I didn't have it so I used just under a cup of milk and 1 tablespoon of vinegar to make my own and then measured out 1/2 cup). 
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 tbsp lemon zest
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 large egg
• 2 cups Ultra grain flour (or 1 cup white, 1 cup whole wheat)
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 3 tbsp chilled butter (must be cold) cut into small pieces
• 3/4 cup dried sweet cranberries or cherries (I used cranberries but cherries sound yummy too!)

1. Position rack in top third of oven; Preheat oven to 375°. Line baking sheet with parchment paper. Make glaze by combining 2 tbsp sugar and 1 tbsp lemon juice.
2. Combine buttermilk, remaining lemon juice, sugar, lemon zest, vanilla, and egg in a medium bowl, stirring with a whisk.
3. Combine flour, baking powder, salt, in a large bowl, stirring with a whisk.
4.  Cut in chilled butter with a pastry blender, or you could use 2 knives, until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Gently fold in cranberries or cherries. Add buttermilk mixture, stirring just until moist. (dough will be sticky)
5. Place dough onto a floured surface and knead lightly four times with floured hands. Form dough into an 8-inch circle onto baking sheet, about 3/4" thick. Using a knife, cut dough into 10 wedges (do not cut all the way through). Brush lemon glaze over dough. Bake until golden, about 18-20 minutes, or until a tester comes out clean. Serve warm or room temperature
6. Next, I'm going to try my hand at blueberry and strawberry with the rest of the berries we have frozen from picking last Summer! 

Enjoy this very last day of March!  Can it officially warm up now?  No, really!