Seriously Good Cheddar, Date/Craisin and Orange Flaky Scones

I am re-posting this blog. Today, I made scones to take up to the hospital.
Found this on my blog and they were sooooo good.
In the recipe below, you will note that I candied the orange peel, which is very very good.
I didn't have time to bother with that, so I used the zest of 1 orange, also  No dates, so out came the trusty Craisins.
If you are siting comfortably, then we'll begin!

When we were on our road trip round New Zealand in 2008. I was on the hunt for the best Date Scones. Only found 3 I think, so I had to try my own.
I believe the addition of orange is the secret
You can candy the orange peel which is very simple.
See below

I have adapted The Cheddar and Thyme Biscuits/Scones recipe to make these delicious treats.
From a previous post   http://sososimple.blogspot.co.nz/2007/10/forget-3-tenors-we-have-3-mds.html

I like the idea of adding sugar to savoury muffins or scones.
It gives the food such a lift
This is a very good recipe

So
Heat oven to 220C  Fan 200C

2 cups flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
3 tablespoons white sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
54 gms butter or margarine
3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup /115 gms shredded Cheddar cheese
1 cup chopped dates/ or 1 cup Craisins
Candied zest of 1 orange chopped/or zest of 1 large orange

So if you want to do the Date Candied orange way
First candy the orange zest
Zest the orange into strips with a potato peeler
Cover with water bring to boil
Drain and repeat
Make a syrup ½ cup water and ½ cup sugar
Bring to boil
Add drained peel and simmer about 8 minutes
Remove and chop

Sift dry ingredients into large bowl
Grate butter into flour
and rub between fingers till it looks like breadcrumbs
Or use a pastry cutter
Add dates and orange zest (or craisins and raw orange zest)

Toss the fruit in the flour mix
Make a well and add cheese and milk.
Mix quickly and you may need to add a little extra milk.
I like the dough to be wet

Turn out onto floured surface
Knead gently to get together and pat out to about ¾ inch
Cut into pieces
I got 10 pieces
Brush lightly with milk
And place on oven tray I like to line my trays with baking paper.

Cook 10 -12 minutes

A beautiful mid morning snack…I think I have cracked it.