Apple Chai Sourdough Scones

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 350F and prepare two baking sheets with parchment. Reserve.
2. In the bowl of a stand mixer (or other large mixing bowl) combine the flour, ground chai tea, cinnamon, baking powder, salt and sugar. Mix lightly to combine.
3. In a separate medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the sourdough starter, buttermilk (or heavy cream), vanilla extract, and egg. Quickly whisk to combine. Let sit for 5-7 minutes.
4. Next, take your cold butter, and with the mixer speed on low (or hand mixer on low), gently add the butter cubes one at a time, until incorporated into the flour. You want to do this slowly, and on a low setting, to make sure the butter is mixed throughout, but the dough remains in a crumbly texture. This takes about 7 minutes.
5. With the mixer speed on medium-low, carefully add the wet mixture to the dry until just combined. Stop the mixer, and add the apple cubes.
6. Now, with the mixer set on 'stir', gently incorporate the apples into the dough. The dough will seem a little dry, but this is correct: we don't want a fully incorporated dough.
7. Turn out the 'crumbly' dough onto a lightly floured cutting board or floured counter.
8. Using your hands, with as little kneading as possible, bring the dough together into a loose rectangle. The heat of your hands will melt the butter a bit, and you want to press and shape as you bring the dough together. Try to get a flat dough about 3/4-1 inch thick.
9. Using a butter knife or sharp cutting knife, slice into three segments, top to bottom. Then, cut into four segments horizontally. Ideally, you're looking for 12 more-or-less square pieces.
10. Using a spatula, gently transfer the scones to the prepared cookie sheets. Make sure to leave room between the pastry to bake.
11. Sprinkle evenly with raw sugar (optional).
12. Bake for 25 minutes, or until the bottom edges are golden brown and the tops are just starting to color.
13. Let cool on the cookie sheets for 5 minutes and then transfer to a cooling rack.
14. Cut diagonally for a traditional 'scone' triangular shape.