Liz Larkin discovered scones while working at Bon Appetit magazine in Manhattan, where she often indulged in High Tea at elegant hotels. “It was such a ‘refined’ moment – a delightful experience from soup to nuts, including the harp music. I got hooked.”
She started to seek out the perfect scone recipe. “It took years and years. In the beginning I tried every recipe I could get my hands on. I simplified some and found some I really liked.” She combined everything she liked, “then I tweaked it.”
Eventually Larkin’s hobby turned into a vocation. She is now a New York State Licensed Home Processor. She sells out of ten dozen scones every Sunday at the Scotts Corners Farmers and Bakers Market, where she often sells cookies as well. The standard scones are blueberry, chocolate chip, cranberry orange and “cinnful” (cinnamon streusel). Cookie specialties are chewy chocolate chip, chewy oatmeal and crispy chocolate chip.
“Mine are cream scones,” she said, “though some people use buttermilk. I use heavy cream and eggs. They’re moist and flaky and a little cakey. They’re not as dense as the hockey pucks you’ll find in the supermarkets.”
Larkin has been selling her wares at the Farmers Market every season since 2007. “I’m pretty well known,” she said modestly. “People seek me out.”
Larkin delivers eight dozen scones every week to Pound Ridge’s Sunoco Station, and also drops off several dozen at Erica’s Kitchen in Bedford Village and Frannie’s Goodie Shop in Mount Kisco.
Her Facebook page usually lists her specialties of the week. She illustrates the page with mouthwatering photographs, but – alas – does not include recipes. Special orders can be placed, even around the holidays, by calling 914-764-7699.
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