Mother’s Day Fete
“A mother’s happiness is like a beacon, lighting up the future but reflected also on the past in the guise of fond memories.”
—Honoré de Balzac
Apricot-Cardamom Scones
Makes 14
2½ cups all-purpose flour
⅓ cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
½ teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cubed
⅓ cup chopped dried apricots
½ cup plus 2 tablespoons cold heavy whipping cream, divided
1 large egg
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• Preheat oven to 375°. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
• In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, cardamom, and salt. Using a pastry blender or 2 forks, cut cold butter into flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Add apricots, stirring well.
• In a small bowl, whisk together ½ cup plus 1 tablespoon cold cream, egg, and vanilla extract. Add to flour mixture, stirring until a dough begins to form. Working gently, bring mixture together with hands until a dough forms. (If mixture seems dry and dough won’t come together, add more cream, 1 tablespoon at a time.)
• Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead gently until smooth by patting dough and folding it in half 4 to 5 times. Using a rolling pin, roll out dough to a
