British Scones
Did you know that British scones originated in Scotland in the early 16th century and were initially made with oats and cooked on a griddle? They later evolved into the present-day version featuring flour, baking powder, and often served with clotted cream and jam.
I delight in baking these on serene Sunday afternoons, freezing them for future enjoyment. They come together in under 30 minutes! The tea set featured in the photographs belonged to my great grandmother, and I consider myself fortunate to possess the complete set. My husband and I use it often for special occasions.
Baking Tip: Try not to over mix this batter. This helps to prevent the development of too much gluten and ensures a more delicate and flaky texture in the final scones.
Ingredients:
500 g (4 cups) flour
75g (1/4 cup) powdered sugar
30 g (2 tbsp) baking powder
1.25 g (1/4 tsp) salt
2 eggs + 1 for egg wash
75 g (5 1/2 tbsp) softened butter
220 ml (1 cup) milk
Directions:
Preheat your oven to 425°F/220°C. Line a baking tray with parchment paper and set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, salt, powdered sugar and baking powder.
Add butter to bowl, use fingertips to gently separate and incorporate butter into dry mixture.
In a separate bowl, whisk together milk and 2 eggs.
Pour wet mixture into dry ingredients till just combined. It should be crumbly.
Turn the dough onto a floured surface. Gently knead it a few times until it comes together. Pat or roll the dough into a circle about 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick.
Using a round cutter or a glass, cut out scones from the dough. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space in between each.
Optional: Let chill in the fridge for 30 minutes before baking to obtain a straight rise.
Brush the tops of the scones with a beaten egg. This gives them a golden brown finish when baked. Try not to get egg wash on the sides or bottom of the scone. This will inhibit the rise.
Bake for 15 minutes in pre-heated oven, then transfer to wire cooling rack. Serve with clotted cream, jam, or your favorite topping! Enjoy your homemade scones!
“In the heart of Britain, where teatime reigns supreme, every crumb of a scone whispers the sweetest tales of tradition and comfort.”