Creating Perfect Scones can be a delightful experience when you follow these easy steps:

1. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare it for baking.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt until combined.
3. Cut in Butter: Add the cold, cubed butter into the dry mixture using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4. Add Milk: Gradually stir in the milk until just combined. Do not overmix; the dough should be slightly sticky.
5. Incorporate Add-Ins: If desired, fold in your chosen add-ins gently.
6. Shape the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead it just a few times to form a rough ball. Pat it into a circle about 1-inch thick.
7. Cut Scones: Use a sharp knife or a biscuit cutter to cut the dough into triangles or rounds. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
8. Egg Wash (Optional): Beat the egg in a small bowl and brush the mixture on top of each scone for a lovely golden finish.
9. Bake: Place the scones in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown on top.
10. Cool: Remove from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

By following these steps, you’ll be on your way to enjoying the most incredible scones imaginable!