Soft Caramel Scone

Step 1: Preheat oven to 400F. Line a baking sheet with a Silpat or parchment; set aside.

Step 2: In a large bowl, add 2 cups flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, optional salt, and whisk to combine.

Step 3: Add the butter, and with a pastry cutter or two forks, cut the butter in. You can use a food processor, but I find not having to wash it is a big time-saver. I smoosh the butter with forks and when it's the size of large marbles, I use my hands and knead it in. It will feel like semi-wet, cool sand. Some larger pea-sized butter clumps are okay; set bowl aside.

Step 4: In a small bowl, add the egg, 1/4 cup caramel sauce, sour cream, vanilla, and whisk to combine until smooth.

Step 5: Pour wet mixture over dry, and fold until just combined with a soft-tipped spatula; don't overmix or scones will be tough. If dough seems very crumbly or isn't coming together, add sour cream, 1 tablespoon at a time, until moist enough to come together.

Step 6: Add the butterscotch chips and fold to combine.

Step 7: Turn dough out onto a Silpat or clean, lightly floured work surface and with lightly floured hands or a spatula, pat dough into an 8-inch round, approximately 2 inches high.

Step 8: With a large knife, slice round into 8 equal-sized wedges.

Step 9: Using a flat spatula or pie turner, transfer wedges to prepared baking sheet spaced at least 2-inches apart. Do not crowd because scones puff and spread while baking.

Step 10: Bake for about 12 to 15 minutes, or until scones are very lightly golden and cooked through. They set up more as they cool; it's critical not to overbake or scones will be dry. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs, but no batter. Because they're baking in quite a hot oven, watch them closely starting after about 11 minutes to ensure the bottoms aren't getting too browned. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes before removing to cooling rack.

Step 11: Carefully transfer scones with a flat spatula, since they will be quite soft, to a cooling rack that has been placed on a sheet of waxed paper. Allow scones to completely cool, then drizzle with additional caramel sauce.

Step 12: Make a nice cup of coffee or tea, sit back and enjoy your scones.