by Feli Chic'Cuisine
English scones are a quintessential part of British cuisine that can brighten up any breakfast or afternoon tea. Scones are a classic British baked good that has become popular around the world for their comforting texture and versatile nature. The secret to their appeal lies in their soft and warm interior, which provides the perfect foundation for a variety of toppings. From classic clotted cream and jam to more creative pairings like lemon curd and fresh berries, the possibilities for scone toppings are endless.
Made with flour, butter, sugar, and a leavening agent like baking powder, scones are relatively simple to prepare and can be customized to suit any taste. The dough is typically shaped into rounds or triangles before being baked until golden brown on the outside and tender on the inside.
Whether enjoyed as part of a leisurely breakfast, a mid-afternoon snack, or a decadent dessert, English scones are a true delight. Their soft and warm texture provides a comforting base for a variety of toppings, making them a versatile and endlessly appealing pastry.
When it comes to scones, it's not just about the taste - the height of the scone is just as important. Achieving the perfect height can be the difference between a dense, heavy scone and a light and fluffy one.
The height of a scone is determined by a few key factors, including the amount of leavening agents like baking powder and the way the dough is handled. If the dough is overworked, the gluten can become tough and result in a flatter scone.
To prepare the perfect scones, it's important to handle the dough with care and use the right amount of leavening agents. Following the recipe closely and using quality ingredients can also make a big difference. With a little attention to detail and some patience, you can create scones that are both delicious and impressively tall.
Tips for making light and fluffy Scones
1. The flour must be sifted (double sift) to aerate it and to prevent lumps.
2. If you're using self-rising flour, be sure to use unsalted butter because self-rising flour is already salted.
3. Use the butter right out of the refrigerator. When incorporate the butter use your fingertips. The cold butter makes scones rise higher and creates a perfect buttery and flaky scone.
4. Do not overwork the dough! Avoid kneading! Mix only as much as necessary to hold the dough together. Overworking heats up the pastry and makes it sticky and a less flaky scone.
5. When cutting out the scones, don't twist the cutter when lifting them out, or they will turn out wonky.
The amount of leavening agents
If you're feeling hesitant about the amount of baking powder in this recipe, don't be. It may seem like a lot, but it serves an important purpose in achieving the perfect scone texture. By adding baking powder, the scones rise higher, resulting in a lighter and fluffier finished product.
The baking powder works to create air pockets in the dough, which expand as the scones bake and cause them to rise. This is what gives scones their signature fluffy texture, and is key to achieving a perfect bake.
While it may be tempting to reduce the amount of baking powder in the recipe, doing so could result in denser and heavier scones. So go ahead and trust the recipe - that extra baking powder will make all the difference in creating delicious, light and fluffy scones that are sure to impress.
Some of the fruit additions are delightful: raisins, dried cranberries, blueberries, lemon zest, and chocolate chips.
To ensure precision in measurements, the ingredients for this recipe are listed in grams.
Prepare the dough
Shape the scones
Prep. time :15 min
Cook. time: 12 min
Total time: 27 min
Serves: 12 Scones
Ingredients
500g all purpose flour / plain flour
25g baking powder
50g caster sugar
110g butter, chilled and cubed
300 ml milk
For Egg Wash
1 egg
a splash of milk
Method
STEP 1
Preheat the oven to 200°C (400)°F fan/ gas 7. Line a baking tray with baking paper.
STEP 2
In a large bowl combine flour, sugar and baking powder together. Add the butter, and gently rub it into the flour using your fingertips, until it is the consistency of breadcrumbs. Make a well in the centre and add the milk. Mix from the edge to the centre, turning the bowl, just until combined. Do not over mix!
STEP 3
Transfer to a lightly floured work surface and pat it until the dough comes together. Don’t knead the dough! Press the dough to about 3 cm thick (don't use a rolling pin).
STEP 4
Dip the cutter (or an up-turned glass) in some flour and stamp out rounds and place them on the prepared baking tray. Brush the tops of the scones with the egg wash.
STEP 5
Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the scones are well risen and golden-brown. Transfer to a wire rack.
To Serve
Split the scones and serve with jam (strawberry, raspberry jam) along with clotted cream.
Enjoy!
“Taste, which enables us to distinguish all that has a flavor from that which is insipid."― Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin
