Irish Soda Bread Scones

Irish soda bread is just barely sweet and biscuit-like - perfect with a savory meal.  It's usually baked in a large round, but here we've cut into scone-like wedges that take only 20 minutes to bake.

2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
3/4 cup buttermilk or soymilk
3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
3/4 cup dried currants
8 tablespoons raw sugar(turbinado is best), optional

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.  Coat baking sheet with cooking spray.
Whisk together flour, cinnamon, baking soda and salt in a bowl.  Whisk together buttermilk, maple syrup, and currants into flour mixture until soft dough forms.  Transfer to floured work surface, and shape into 8" round.  Cut round into 8 wedges.  Transfer to prepared baking sheet, and sprinkle each wedge with 1 teaspoon sugar, if using.  Bake 20 minutes, or until browned.

Makes 8 scones

*  Vegetarian Times April 2009