Orange Cranberry Scones

I saw the most interesting thing the other day. I was watching the news and they did a piece on moms who had emailed what they DON'T want for Mother's Day. They disdained things like matching body scent and lotion, chocolate, anything stuffed and fuzzy, and flowers(which horrified Tessa; who wouldn't want flowers???). I can see many a loving child getting dispirited looking at that list. After all, what 6-year-old doesn't get totally psyched over finding that perfectly cute fuzzy bear to give to Mom, with vague thoughts of taking care of it for her? Or seeing flowers that would look just beautiful in her mom's hair? I have to admit, I'm a sucker for anything that comes with a smile and a hug. I also have to admit, I've been smiling for the past few weeks knowing I was gonna have these scones for Mother's Day. Hailey tested this recipe, and my whole attitude towards scones was completely obliterated. "Scones are dry, tasteless, paperweights that don't belong in a pastry display." Sound familiar? Come on now, I know I'm not the first one to wonder how on earth scones ever became popular. These scones answered my question. Where to begin? First, the scent that fills the air: fresh, citrusey orange, with buttery undertones and slight notes of spice. The look: plump little packages, golden-brown, studded with plump ruby-red fruit and glazed with an invitingly creamy-looking lemon-orange glaze. The taste: everything you want a scone to be. First, you bite through the nicely-crisped outer crust, tasting the sweet, tart glaze, only to have your teeth sink into the completely tender, rich, moist interior. Chewy bursts of cranberry hit your palate, along with little zings of orange and creamy sweet pockets of white chocolate, and finally finishing with hints of aromatic spice. I really can't help but be excited, thinking about my little soldiers marching towards me with these little soldiers:

                                              
                                           CRANBERRY ORANGE SCONES
                                                       makes 10 (I double)

2 cups flour
10 tsp sugar, divided
1 Tbs orange zest
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp ginger
few dashes of nutmeg
1/3 cup cold butter
1/2 cup craisins, soaked in 1/4 cup hot orange juice
1/2 cup white chocolate chips
1/4 cup half-and-half(I used cream, which is what I had)
1 egg
1 Tbs milk

GLAZE
1 cup powdered sugar
1 Tbs lemon juice
1 Tbs frozen orange juice concentrate
splash of orange extract

In mixing bowl, combine flour, 7 tsp of sugar, orange peel, baking powder, salt, baking soda, ginger and nutmeg. Cut in butter until it resembles coarse crumbs. In small bowl, combine craisins with orange juice, cream and egg. Add to flour mixture and stir until combined. On floured surface, pat into an 8-inch circle, and cut into 10-12 wedges, depending on how big you want them. Place on ungreased baking sheet. Brush with milk and sprinkle with remaining sugar. Bake at 400 degrees for 12-15 minutes, until lightly golden. Drizzle glaze over scones.