Cheddar Scones with Ham and Honey-Mustard Butter

For scones
4 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 stick (1/2 cup) cold unsalted butter
6 ounces coarsely grated extra-sharp Cheddar (about 1 1/2 cups)
1 cup whole milk
2/3 cup heavy cream

1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, softened
3 tablespoons coarse-grained mustard
3 tablespoons honey
6 large soft-leafed lettuce leaves such as Bibb
1/2 pound very thinly sliced cooked ham

Preheat oven to 425°F. and butter a large baking sheet.

Make scones:
Into a large bowl sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut butter into small bits and with your fingertips or a pastry blender blend into flour mixture until mixture resembles coarse meal. With a fork stir in Cheddar. Add milk and cream, stirring until just combined. Transfer mixture to a floured surface and with floured hands knead until it forms a dough. Roll out dough into a 12-inch round (about 1/2 inch thick). Using a 2-inch fluted round cutter cut out scones and arrange about 1/2 inch apart on baking sheet. Gather and gently re-roll scraps. Cut out more scones and arrange on baking sheet.

Bake scones in middle of oven until pale golden, about 12 minutes, and transfer to a rack to cool. Scones may be made 1 day ahead and kept in an airtight container at cool room temperature.

In a small bowl stir together butter, mustard and honey. Tear each lettuce leaf into 4 pieces. Split scones and spread each split side with honey-mustard butter. Make sandwiches with scones, lettuce, and folded slices of ham.

Makes about 24 small sandwiches.