Caramel Apple Scones

Autumn has arrived, and as any true resident of Michigan knows, the season of apple-picking, hayrides, cinnamon donuts and apple cider has also arrived.

In this spirit (and unwittingly, just as the official beginning of fall arrived), I made the trek to the beautiful Erwin Orchards, and picked my peck of apples (Northern Spy and Gala), chased my friend's kids through hay bales, and had my requisite donut (but passed on the cider - I know, I'm strange, but I really can't stand the stuff).

Back at home, I contemplated what to do with all those apples.  My many cookbooks yielded nothing of interest, so I moved on to the internet.  After much waffling, I landed on apple butter and caramel apple scones.  The apple butter is burbling away in my crockpot, and I hope it turns out - I guessimated on measurements, which is always a risky business.  If nothing else, my apartment smells AMAZING.

In the meantime, I decided to whip up the caramel apple scones.  And by "whip up" I mean forgetting to read the recipe through, doubling it, bemoaning the fact that I had insufficient ingredients, and then making some unorthodox substitutions (thus is the general nature of my baking). 

Anyway, the result is below, and they taste delicious, likely inspite of me. (I ate a few crumbs, my roommate ate a broken one, and I might have to eat another one that doesn't meet the standards of perfection).  Happy first day of autumn indeed!