No self respecting tea party would be complete
without fresh warm scones! These sweet and buttery biscuits originated in
Scotland, were adopted by the English, and are loved the world over.
Originally scones were shaped into a circle and then cut into triangles, the
shape frequently seen today. Our recipe calls for cutting them with a biscuit
cutter but we've even made them by just dropping the batter onto a baking
sheet. This is especially nice for a children's tea party.
Scones are quick and easy to
make and there are enough variations possible to please just about everyone's
palate. Experiment with various dried fruits, spices, and sugars.
This recipe
was given to us by our friend (and cousin), Luette. We use it for occasional
tastings (served with clotted cream and jam) and it is always a hit.
Luette's Cream Scones
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2 cups flour
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1/2 cup heavy (whipping) cream
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1/4 cup sugar
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1 large egg
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2 teaspoon baking powder
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1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
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1/8 teaspoon salt
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1/2 cup currants (optional)
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1/3 cup unsalted butter (chilled)
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1 egg mixed with 1 tsp water for glaze
(optional)
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Pre-heat oven to 425º
Mix dry ingredients (flour,
sugar, baking powder, and salt).
Cut butter into 1/2" cubes and
add to dry ingredients.
Cut in with a pastery blender
until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
In a separate bowl, stir
together cream, egg, and vanilla.
Add this liquid to the dry
ingredients along with the currants (or other fruit of your choice).
Stir together till blended.
Place the dough on a cutting
board or pastry sheet and with lightly floured hands, pat the dough into a
1/2" thickness.
Cut with a 2 1/2" round biscuit
cutter and place on greased baking sheet or parchment.
Brush tops with egg and water
mixture.
Bake till light golden brown.
Baking times will vary depending on the particular oven, size of the scone,
and type of baking sheet.
Try these variations or experiment with your own:
Substitute raisins for the currents, add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and sprinkle
turbinado sugar on the top (over the glaze)
Use dried currents instead of
raisins.
Add lemon peel and poppy seeds.
Cutting calories?
Substitute yogurt for the whipping cream.
Try a flavored yogurt for some
extra zip.