Maple butter scones

'Tis the season to indulge! My favorite time of year has finally arrived.  I absolutely love everything about the holiday season.  Food, family gatherings (albeit I'm not sure how that's gonna work out this year), and the holiday spirit! With the temps steadily decreasing, what better way is there than to cozy up with some warm maple butter scones? Have them for breakfast or with your afternoon coffee/tea.  Either way, these scones are sure to make your day just that much better.  Enjoy my friends!

Ingredients

-2 and 1/2 cups flour
-1 tablespoon baking powder
-1/4 teaspoon baking soda
-1/2 teaspoon salt
-1/2 cup unsalted butter (cold)
-1 egg
-1/2 cup buttermilk
-1/2 cup pure maple syrup
-1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (or maple extract for stronger maple flavor)
-1 teaspoon course grain brown sugar

Maple glaze

-1/2 cup powdered sugar
-2 tablespoons maple syrup
-2 teaspoons half and half
-1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (or maple extract for a stronger maple flavor)
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​Heat oven to 400 degrees.  Sift all of the dry ingredients into a bowl.  Take the cold butter and crumble it into the flour mixture (use either your fingers or a pastry blender.  I prefer fingers!). Set this aside.  
In a separate bowl, whisk the wet ingredients together.  Add the wet ingredients to the flour/butter mixture and combine.  If there are lumps in the batter this is totally fine as it'll create delicious scones.  Place the dough mixture onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and use your hands to form a round circle that is about 3/4 inches thick.  Using a knife, cut the dough into even triangle-shaped wedges (cut dough will end up looking like a sliced pizza pie).  Sprinkle the teaspoon of brown sugar on top and bake for about 18-20 minutes (scones will be golden brown).  Once they've finished baking, place scones on a cooling rack and once completely cooled, you can cut the wedges completely.  

For the glaze, mix all ingredients together until smooth.  Once scones have finished baking and are completely cool, drizzle with maple glaze or simply enjoy without.  Whatever you prefer!  Please let me know what you think of this recipe and if you'll be trying it.  Take care friends!