Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour (2 cups weigh 9 oz)
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold, cut into pieces (5 TBL weigh 70 g)
• 1 cup regular full-fat sour cream
• 1 large egg yolk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• water, as needed

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400 deg. F.

2. Whisk together dry ingredients in a medium bowl.

3. Using any method you prefer, cut the cold butter into the dry ingredients until flour resembles coarse meal, or use the following tip:.

4. The "grate" method: I grate a block of cold butter against the large holes of a box grater and weigh the butter ribbons to get the amount I need (1 TBL butter = 14 grams, so 5 TBL = 70 grams). Toss the butter ribbons with the flour mixture, and then use two knives to cut the flour-coated ribbons into 1/4-inch pieces.

5. In a separate bowl, whisk together the sour cream, egg yolk and vanilla extract until blended. Add this to the flour-butter mixture and stir with a fork until dough forms a cohesive ball. Use a spatula to get the dry bits fully incorporated. (It may not seem to have enough liquid at first, but the dough will eventually come together.).

6. Place the sticky dough onto a parchment-lined (or ungreased) baking sheet and pat into a disk about 1-inch in height. Cut the dough into wedges but do not separate. Or scoop dough into a mini scone pan if available. (Yield will vary depending on how big you slice the wedges.).

7. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown on top.

8. PREPARE GLAZE WHILE SCONES ARE BAKING.

9. GLAZE:.

10. Place powdered sugar in a medium bowl, and add water one teaspoon at a time, mixing vigorously until smooth and runny.

11. Use a pastry brush to apply a thin layer of glaze over the hot scones. Brushing rather than drizzling gives a smoother appearance and requires less glaze.

12. Serve immediately. Store cooled scones in an airtight container.