If you're
looking for a delicious and easy breakfast or afternoon snack, scones are a
perfect choice. These delightful pastries are a classic English treat that have
been enjoyed for centuries. They're quick and easy to make, and you can
customize them to suit your taste. Here's a simple recipe for classic scones
that will have you enjoying a warm, flaky pastry in no time.
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| Quick Recipe for Scones |
Ingredients:
2 cups
all-purpose flour
1/3 cup
granulated sugar
1 tablespoon
baking powder
1/2 teaspoon
salt
1/2 cup unsalted
butter, chilled and cubed
1/2 cup whole
milk
1 large egg
1 teaspoon
vanilla extract
Instructions:
Preheat your
oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
In a large bowl,
whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
Using a pastry
blender or your fingers, cut the chilled butter into the flour mixture until it
resembles coarse crumbs.
In a separate
bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Pour the milk
mixture into the flour mixture and stir with a fork until a shaggy dough forms.
Turn the dough
out onto a floured surface and knead gently until it comes together in a smooth
ball.
Flatten the
dough into a disk about 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick.
Use a sharp
knife or a biscuit cutter to cut the dough into 8 wedges or circles.
Place the scones
onto the prepared baking sheet and brush the tops with a little milk or beaten
egg.
Bake the scones
for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
Allow the scones
to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a
wire rack to cool completely.
Serve the scones
warm or at room temperature with jam, clotted cream, or butter.
These scones are
delicious plain, but you can also add in your favorite ingredients to customize
them. Try adding chopped nuts, dried fruit, or chocolate chips to the dough
before shaping and baking. You can also sprinkle the tops with coarse sugar
before baking for an extra bit of sweetness and crunch.
Enjoy your
homemade scones with a hot cup of tea or coffee for a cozy and satisfying
treat.
Precautions:
While making
scones is a simple and straightforward process, there are a few precautions to
keep in mind to ensure that your scones turn out perfectly every time. Here are
some precautions to consider when making scones:
Keep your
ingredients cold: One of the most important precautions when making scones is
to keep your ingredients, particularly the butter, chilled. This helps create a
flaky, tender texture in the finished scones.
Don't overwork
the dough: When you're mixing and kneading the dough, be careful not to
overwork it. Overmixing can lead to tough, dense scones. You want to mix the
dough just until it comes together in a shaggy ball.
Use the right
flour: For the best results, use all-purpose flour when making scones. Don't
use self-rising flour or cake flour, as they have different protein levels that
can affect the texture of the finished scones.
Be precise with
your measurements: Accurate measurements are crucial when making scones. Use a
kitchen scale to measure your ingredients by weight, or use measuring cups and
spoons to ensure that you're adding the right amount of each ingredient.
Handle the dough
gently: When you're shaping and cutting the dough, handle it as gently as
possible. Pressing too hard or working the dough too much can result in tough
scones.
Don't skip the
resting time: After you've cut the scones into shape, let them rest for 10-15
minutes before baking. This allows the gluten in the dough to relax, which can
help prevent the scones from becoming tough.
By following
these precautions, you can ensure that your scones turn out perfectly every
time.
