These are not dry, crumbly scones-biscuits often the size of hockey pucks (we never could understand why people still make and eat such relatively tasteless baked goods in an era of plenty, but we respect the ancient Scottish tradition). FatCat Scones are moist, round, muffin-like delights, perhaps two inches in diameter, in delicious natural flavors with matching spreadable glazes. The scones are are so moist and squeezable, you might call them muffins. except that they don-t contain eggs.*

*A classic scone is a quick bread, similar to an American biscuit. Originally made with oats and shaped into a large round which was scored into triangular shapes, it was cooked on a griddle over an open fire or on a stovetop. Today in the U.K. scones are served plain or with currants at afternoon tea. Scones are based on a biscuit recipe (flour, baking powder, sugar, salt and shortening) plus milk; whereas muffins are more cake like, adding eggs and a greater amount of sugar and leaving out the baking powder to achieve greater sweetness and density.

The scones come frozen, and bake up like fresh-made in 15-18 minutes. The flavors, all excellent, include Banana Pancake, Lemon Drop, Mandarin Orange Cranberry, Peach Passion Fruit, Pumpkin Oat Spice, Wild Blueberry, with more under development. Each bag comes with a container of matching flavored glaze--passion fruit citrus, cinnamon with the Pumpkin Oat Spice. While the website shows the scones coated with glaze like cinnamon buns, we used them as butter-perhaps the neater way to go.

The wonderful thing about FatCat Scones--aside from the deliciousness and ease of preparation (just plop onto a non-stick baking sheet or pan and pop into the oven)--is that they bring to your table all the festivity of a restaurant or cafe. No matter how good toast or English muffins are, they donŐt match the excitement of fresh-baked, warm muffins or scones. They turn any standard breakfast, brunch or coffee break into an event. They also can be used as a base for cobbler and strawberry shortcake. Scones on baking sheet shown with tub of glaze. In fact, you can use FatCat Scones as a reward for tasks well done. Kids keep their rooms clean? Scones on Sunday. Spouse takes care of noisome tasks? Ditto. Friends treat you to a restful weekend at their lake house? Send FatCat. (A not so great weekend there? Send dried fruit.)

We personally have added it to our Cabinet of Magic Tricks-impressive foods we keep on hand for impromptu meals and unexpected guests. You'll observe the magic first-hand when you see how these muffin-like scones disappear into thin air.