Scones are a type of quick bread that is made with flour, butter, sugar, baking powder, and salt. They are often served with jam and clotted cream, but they can also be enjoyed plain or with other toppings.
How to Bake Scones
Scones are relatively easy to bake, and they can be made in a variety of flavors.
Table of Contents
Recipe for Scones
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small pieces
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1/2 cup milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Stir in the sugar.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg and milk.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Drop by rounded tablespoons onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Let cool on a wire rack before serving.
Variations on Scone Recipe
- Fruit scones
Add 1 cup of chopped dried fruit, such as raisins, cranberries, or blueberries, to the dough.
- Chocolate scones
Add 1/2 cup of cocoa powder to the dough.
- Spiced scones
Add 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, ginger, or nutmeg to the dough.
- Oat scones
Substitute 1/2 cup of rolled oats for 1/2 cup of flour.
- Whole wheat scones
Substitute 1/2 cup of whole wheat flour for 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour.
Tips for Baking Scones
- Use cold ingredients. This will help the scones to hold their shape better.
- Don’t overmix the dough. Overmixing will make the scones tough.
- Bake the scones until they are golden brown. If they are not cooked through, they will be gummy.
- Let the scones cool completely before serving. This will help them to hold their shape and prevent them from crumbling.
FAQs
What is the difference between scones and biscuits?
Scones and biscuits are both quick breads made with flour, butter, sugar, baking powder, and salt. However, there are some key differences between the two. Scones are typically made with more sugar and fat than biscuits, which gives them a richer and more crumbly texture. Biscuits are also typically rolled out thinner than scones, which gives them a more flaky texture.
What is the best type of flour to use for scones?
The best type of flour to use for scones is all-purpose flour. All-purpose flour has a good balance of gluten and starch, which helps to give scones their light and fluffy texture. You can also use a combination of all-purpose flour and whole wheat flour for a healthier option.
How much butter should I use in scones?
The amount of butter you use in scones will affect their texture. A higher butter content will give scones a richer and more crumbly texture. However, too much butter can make scones tough. A good rule of thumb is to use 1/2 cup of butter for every 2 cups of flour.
How do I prevent my scones from being tough?
There are a few things you can do to prevent your scones from being tough. First, make sure to use cold ingredients. Cold ingredients will help the scones to hold their shape better. Second, don’t overmix the dough. Overmixing will develop the gluten in the flour, which will make the scones tough. Third, bake the scones until they are golden brown. If they are not cooked through, they will be gummy.
What temperature should I bake scones at?
The ideal temperature for baking scones is 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius). This will help the scones to brown evenly and cook through completely.
How long should I bake scones for?
The baking time for scones will vary depending on their size and thickness. A good rule of thumb is to bake scones for 12-15 minutes, or until they are golden brown.
What should I do if my scones are not browning evenly?
If your scones are not browning evenly, you can try moving them to a different part of the oven. You can also try increasing the oven temperature by 10 degrees Fahrenheit.
How do I store scones?
Scones can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 days. You can also freeze scones for up to 2 months. To freeze scones, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer bag.
How do I reheat scones?
Scones can be reheated in the oven or toaster oven. To reheat scones in the oven, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Place the scones on a baking sheet and bake for 5-7 minutes, or until they are heated through. To reheat scones in the toaster oven, place the scones on a toaster oven tray and toast for 2-3 minutes, or until they are heated through.
What are some other ways to flavor scones?
Scones can be flavored with a variety of ingredients, such as:
- Fruit
Dried fruit, such as raisins, cranberries, or blueberries; fresh fruit, such as apples, pears, or peaches
- Chocolate
Cocoa powder, chocolate chips, or chocolate chunks
- Spices
Cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cardamom
- Nuts
Almonds, walnuts, pecans
- Seeds
Poppy seeds, sesame seeds, chia seeds
Conclusion
Scones are a delicious and easy-to-make quick bread that can be enjoyed plain or with a variety of toppings. They are relatively simple to bake, but there are a few things you can do to ensure that they turn out perfectly every time.
Scones can be flavored with a variety of ingredients, such as fruit, chocolate, spices, nuts, or seeds. You can also add other ingredients to scones, such as cheese, bacon, or ham.