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English Scones Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 284 reviews

Classic English scones with a tender crumb, lightly sweetened and flavored with vanilla, chocolate chips or dried fruit, and optional orange zest. Perfect for tea time or a cozy breakfast, these easy-to-make scones are baked to golden perfection and served warm with butter or jam.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar (or 4 tablespoons)
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Butter

  • 4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/4-inch bits
  • 1 tablespoon butter, softened (for brushing the baking sheet) or parchment paper

Wet Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Add-ins

  • 1/4 cup chocolate chips or raisins/cranberries
  • Zest of 1 orange (optional)

Topping

  • 1 tablespoon heavy cream or milk (for glazing tops)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or brush lightly with softened butter to prevent sticking.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined.
  3. Cut in Butter: Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Use a pastry cutter or fork to cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. This step is essential to achieving a flaky texture.
  4. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the heavy whipping cream, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth.
  5. Form the Dough: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently stir until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the scones tender.
  6. Add Flavorings: Fold in the chocolate chips or dried fruit and the orange zest if using, distributing them evenly through the dough.
  7. Shape and Cut Scones: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Pat it into a circle about 1 inch thick. Using a sharp knife or bench scraper, cut the dough into 8 equal wedges.
  8. Prepare for Baking: Place the scones on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly. Brush the tops lightly with heavy cream or milk to encourage browning.
  9. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 15–18 minutes or until the scones are golden brown on top and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  10. Cool and Serve: Allow the scones to cool slightly on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack. Serve warm with butter, jam, or your favorite accompaniment.

Notes

  • Use cold butter to ensure flaky layers in your scones.
  • Do not overmix the dough to keep the scones tender and light.
  • Substitute dried cranberries or raisins for chocolate chips depending on your preference.
  • Orange zest adds a lovely citrus aroma but is optional.
  • Scones are best enjoyed fresh and warm but can be reheated in a low oven for a few minutes.

Keywords: English scones, scones recipe, British baking, tea time treats, chocolate chip scones, raisin scones, breakfast scones

Find it online: https://kitchenwithkai.com/english-scones-recipe/