The daily grind often presents its own set of minor frustrations, and for many, navigating shared spaces like office elevators can be surprisingly challenging. It seems a fundamental understanding of elevator etiquette is often overlooked, leading to awkward encounters and unnecessary delays. From people rushing in before others have had a chance to exit, to those who stand uncomfortably close to the doors, these small breaches of courtesy can disrupt the flow of an otherwise ordinary workday. It’s a common scenario: the elevator doors open, and instead of allowing passengers to disembark, a wave of eager commuters attempts to board, creating a chaotic bottleneck. This simple oversight can turn a quick ride into a stressful experience, highlighting a universal need for a little more patience and awareness.

Mastering Elevator Etiquette and Crafting the Perfect Cherry Almond Scones

Navigating the Daily Commute: Unspoken Rules of Elevator Etiquette

One of the most perplexing habits I’ve observed in shared office spaces is the complete disregard for the basic principle of letting people off the elevator before attempting to get on. It’s a simple rule, yet so many seem to forget it in the rush of their day. When the doors open, a collective breath is often held by those inside, hoping for a clear path, only to be met by a wall of people determined to push their way in. This isn’t just inefficient; it’s a minor act of disrespect. Imagine trying to exit a crowded space only to find your path blocked by oncoming traffic – the elevator is no different. A moment of patience can save everyone time and frustration.

Equally baffling are the individuals who choose to stand directly in front of the elevator doors. It’s an unnerving experience when those metallic jaws slide open to reveal someone mere inches from your face. Not only does this block the exit for those inside, but it also creates an immediate sense of encroached personal space for everyone involved. The optimal waiting position is to stand to the side of the doors, allowing a clear pathway for disembarking passengers. Once the elevator is clear, then, and only then, should you proceed to enter, ensuring a smooth and polite transition for all. Practicing spatial awareness and common courtesy can significantly improve the atmosphere of our shared daily journeys.

Beyond the logistical challenges, there’s a more peculiar, perhaps even humorous, aspect of elevator rides: the lingering scent. Am I the only one who holds their breath when stepping into an elevator immediately after someone else has exited, especially if they were the sole occupant? Seriously, I often find myself holding my breath for a good few seconds, almost instinctively waiting for the air to “clear.” My mind races through comical scenarios: “What if they… well, you know?” Or perhaps they were wearing an overwhelmingly strong perfume or cologne, leaving an olfactory cloud in their wake. And then there’s the less pleasant thought of bad breath. It’s a strange quirk, I admit, but it’s a silent, almost comical battle against potential airborne unpleasantries. These little, often unspoken, concerns add another layer to the intricate dance of elevator etiquette, reminding us that sometimes, the air we share is as important as the space.

A Seasonal Delight: Our Farmer’s Market Discovery

Speaking of everyday adventures, a month or so ago, Jason and I stumbled upon a delightful farmer’s market right near our home. It might be small, but it perfectly caters to our needs for fresh, high-quality produce. There’s something truly special about a local market—the vibrant colors, the earthy smells, and the opportunity to connect with the people who grow our food. It feels like a little slice of tranquility amidst the urban hustle, offering a refreshing contrast to the minor daily annoyances like elevator woes. Finding this market was a welcome discovery, promising endless possibilities for seasonal cooking and baking.

Our primary goal that day was to stock up on fresh fruit, and the market did not disappoint. We left with three generous quarts of succulent cherries and a quart of juicy strawberries. There’s nothing quite like the taste of fresh, ripe fruit in the summertime; it’s a burst of natural sweetness that truly embodies the season. Cherries, with their tart-sweet flavor, are particularly enchanting. We found ourselves with an abundance of these ruby gems, enjoying them for days on end, whether simply snacking on them or adding them to breakfast bowls. This bounty sparked an idea, a perfect way to utilize the fresh harvest and bring a little more homemade goodness into our lives.

Indulge in Homemade Goodness: The Perfect Cherry Almond Scones

Given our overflowing supply of beautiful fresh cherries, the inspiration struck: cherry almond scones. Oh, goodness, these scones were an absolute revelation! Baking is always a rewarding experience, transforming simple ingredients into something truly comforting and delicious, and this recipe was no exception. The process itself, from cutting in the cold butter to gently folding in the vibrant cherries, felt like a meditative escape. The aroma that filled our kitchen as they baked was simply divine, a sweet promise of the treats to come. Once cooled and glazed, these scones quickly became a new favorite.

The combination of flavors and textures in these scones is simply irresistible. The tartness of the fresh cherries beautifully cuts through the richness of the scone dough, creating a perfect balance. But what truly elevated them was the delicate almond glaze. Drizzled generously over each scone, it added a touch of sweetness and a distinct nutty aroma that complemented the cherries wonderfully. The scones themselves boasted a fantastic texture – tender on the inside with a slightly crisp exterior, characteristic of a well-made scone. We were so incredibly pleased with this recipe that, I must confess, we didn’t share a single one! We happily devoured them for breakfast for about a week, and it was truly glorious, a perfect culinary antidote to any lingering daily frustrations.

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Cherry Almond Scones

By:

Julie Chiou

Cherry almond scones are a great way to incorporate fresh cherries into a pastry, offering a perfect blend of tart and sweet!

Prep Time:

30 minutes

Cook Time:

35 minutes

Total Time:

1 hour 5 minutes

Servings:

16 scones

Equipment

• Large rimmed baking sheet
• Pastry cutter
• Cookie scoop

Ingredients

• 3 cups
  (375 g)
  all purpose flour
• ¼ cup
  (50 g)
  plus 2 tbsp. granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon
  baking powder
• ½ teaspoon
  baking soda
• ½ teaspoon
  salt
• 8 tablespoons
  (112 g)
  unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 1 ¼ cups
  (296 ml)
  buttermilk, plus more for brushing
• 1 cup
  (138 g)
  halved cherries, I used this OXO cherry pitter for quick pitting of my cherries
• 2 tablespoon
  sparkling sugar

For the glaze:

• 2 cups
  (240 g)
  confectioners’ sugar
• 3 tablespoon
  milk or buttermilk
• ½ teaspoon
  almond extract
• ½ cup
  (118 g)
  sliced almonds, for topping

Instructions

• Preheat your oven to 400 °F (204 °C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Proper preheating is crucial for scones to rise beautifully and achieve that desired flaky texture.
• In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients: whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined. Next, using a pastry blender or two knives, cut the cold, cubed butter into the flour mixture. Work quickly to prevent the butter from warming too much. Continue until the mixture resembles coarse meal with pea-sized pieces of butter throughout. This step is key for creating flaky scones. Stir in the buttermilk until just combined, then carefully fold in the halved cherries. Be gentle here; overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, leading to tough scones, and too much force will stain your dough purple!
  3 cups (375 g) all purpose flour,
  1/4 cup (50 g) plus 2 tbsp. granulated sugar,
  1 tablespoon baking powder,
  1/2 teaspoon baking soda,
  1/2 teaspoon salt,
  8 tablespoons (112 g) unsalted butter,
  1 1/4 cups (296 ml) buttermilk,
  1 cup (138 g) halved cherries
• Using an ice cream scoop (about 1/4 cup capacity), scoop the scone dough onto the prepared baking sheets. You should yield roughly 16 mounds. Brush the tops of these mounds lightly with a little extra buttermilk to promote a golden-brown crust, then generously sprinkle sparkling sugar on top for a beautiful crunch and shine.
  2 tablespoon sparkling sugar
• Bake the scones in the upper and lower thirds of the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes. To ensure even baking and browning, remember to shift the pans from front to back and swap their positions from top to bottom halfway through the baking time. The scones should be golden brown and cooked through. Let the scones cool on the baking sheets for about 10 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
• While the scones are cooling, prepare the almond glaze. In a medium bowl, whisk together the confectioners’ sugar, milk (or buttermilk), and almond extract. Continue whisking until you achieve a thick, smooth glaze that is still runny enough to be drizzled easily. If it’s too thick, add a few more drops of milk; if too thin, add a little more confectioners’ sugar.
  2 cups (240 g) confectioners’ sugar,
  3 tablespoon milk or buttermilk,
  1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• Once the scones are completely cool, take a fork, dip it into the prepared glaze, and then gently drizzle the glaze over each scone in a zig-zag motion. Immediately after glazing, sprinkle the sliced almonds over the wet glaze for a beautiful presentation and added crunch.
  1/2 cup (118 g) sliced almonds
• Allow the glaze to set and dry for about 10 minutes before serving. This ensures the glaze hardens slightly, preventing it from being too sticky.
• Store any leftover scones in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain their freshness and flavor. For best results, gently warm them before serving.

Notes

Source: adapted from Food & Wine

Nutrition

Serving:
1scone
,

Calories:
249kcal
,

Carbohydrates:
41g
,

Protein:
4g
,

Fat:
8g
,

Fiber:
1g
,

Sugar:
24g

Disclaimers

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition information can vary for a variety of reasons. For the most precise nutritional data use your preferred nutrition calculator based on the actual ingredients you used in the recipe.

The default measuring system for this website is US Customary. Unit conversions are provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. While we strive to provide accurate unit conversions, please be aware that there may be some discrepancies.

This post contains an affiliate link.

Tips for Scone Success

• Keep Ingredients Cold: Cold butter and buttermilk are essential for flaky scones. The cold fat creates pockets of steam in the oven, leading to that desirable light and airy texture.
• Don’t Overmix: Overworking the dough will develop the gluten, resulting in tough, dense scones. Mix just until the ingredients are combined. A few streaks of flour are perfectly fine.
• Fresh Cherries are Key: While frozen cherries can be used, fresh, seasonal cherries truly make a difference in flavor and texture. If using frozen, do not thaw them completely before folding them into the dough.
• Customize Your Topping: Feel free to experiment with different glazes or toppings. A lemon glaze would offer a brighter note, or you could sprinkle coarse sugar for extra sparkle without a glaze.

Serving Suggestions and Variations

These cherry almond scones are incredibly versatile. They make a fantastic addition to any breakfast spread, pairing beautifully with a hot cup of coffee or a comforting mug of tea. For a truly indulgent experience, serve them alongside a dollop of clotted cream or a simple fruit jam. They’re also perfect for a leisurely brunch, a delightful afternoon snack, or even a light dessert.

Feeling adventurous? Consider these variations:

• Lemon Zest: Add a teaspoon of fresh lemon zest to the scone dough to brighten the flavors, or add it to the almond glaze for a citrusy twist.
• Other Berries: Substitute the cherries with other seasonal berries like blueberries, raspberries, or chopped strawberries for a different fruit profile. Adjust sugar slightly if using very tart or very sweet fruits.
• Chocolate Chips: For a decadent treat, fold in a handful of white chocolate chips along with the cherries.
• Spiced Scones: Add a pinch of cinnamon or cardamom to the dry ingredients for a warm, comforting aroma.

Final Thoughts on Finding Joy in the Everyday

From the subtle frustrations of navigating daily commutes to the simple pleasures of creating something delicious in the kitchen, life is a tapestry of small moments. While we might encounter a few elevator etiquette mishaps along the way, there’s always an opportunity to find peace and satisfaction in other areas. Baking these cherry almond scones was a wonderful reminder that taking the time to indulge in a creative process, especially one that results in such a delightful treat, can truly brighten the spirit. We hope this recipe brings as much joy to your kitchen as it did to ours. Go ahead, bake a batch, and savor the moment – you deserve it!