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I start these in my food processor because it is so fast but they can be made just as easily in a large bowl by cutting the butter in with a pastry blender or even 2 knifes held between the fingers.
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In a food processor, combine the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, cardamom and salt.
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Pulse in the cold butter until this mixture resembles a coarse meal. It is very important that pea sized pieces of butter remain in this mixture.
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Transfer to a large bowl and toss in the dates and orange zest.
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Juice the large orange that you zested and add that to a measuring cup. Add enough milk to bring the total volume of liquid tot he 1 cup mark., then stir in the vanilla extract
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Pour this liquid over the surface of the dry mixture. Toss all together gently with a fork only enough to form a dough ball.
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It is important that you work this dough as little as possible or the finished scones will be too dense and heavy.
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Roll to 1 inch thickness and cut out scones with biscuit cutter or in triangles with a sharp knife and place on parchment lined baking sheet.
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If desired you can brush the tops of the scones with an egg wash of 1 egg beaten together with 1 tbsp water.
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You can sprinkle the tops with turbinado sugar and a little more orange zest if desired but this is, of course, optional.
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Bake at 375 degrees F for 25 minutes or until light golden brown. Baking time will vary depending on the size of your biscuit cutter.