Ina Garten Buttermilk Scones Recipe

Easy Ina Garten Buttermilk Scones Recipe: Fluffy Baking Magic

Buttermilk scones represent a delectable culinary treasure that transforms ordinary mornings into extraordinary moments.

These tender, golden pastries bring comfort and warmth to any kitchen gathering.

Light and crumbly, they possess an irresistible charm that beckons hungry companions to the table.

Rich dairy notes intertwine with delicate textures, creating a sensory experience that feels both rustic and elegant.

Bakers appreciate their versatility, knowing scones can complement sweet or savory preferences with equal grace.

Whispers of tradition dance through each buttery bite, connecting you to generations of home cooking.

The magic of these beloved treats lies in their simplicity and soul-satisfying character: come create your own delicious memory.

What Makes Ina Garten’s Buttermilk Scones Fluffy and Light

  • Whip Up Quick Comfort: These buttermilk scones deliver homemade happiness in under 35 minutes, perfect for busy mornings or spontaneous tea times without complicated techniques.
  • Embrace Flexible Flavor Customization: By easily adding currants or experimenting with different mix-ins like chocolate chips or nuts, bakers can personalize these scones to match their taste preferences and make each batch unique.
  • Create Bakery-Quality Texture at Home: The combination of buttermilk, carefully cut butter, and precise mixing creates an incredibly tender, crumbly scone with a golden exterior that rivals professional bakery offerings, giving home cooks a chance to produce restaurant-worthy pastries in their own kitchen.
  • Master Simple Baking Technique: With straightforward steps and minimal ingredients, this recipe teaches fundamental baking skills like cutting butter into flour and creating a delicate dough, making it an excellent starting point for novice bakers wanting to build confidence in pastry preparation.

Key Ingredients for Ina Garten’s Buttermilk Scones

Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour, Flour: Provides the base structure and texture for the scones, choose unbleached for better flavor.
  • Granulated Sugar: Adds subtle sweetness and helps with browning.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness.
  • Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Helps the scones rise and creates a light, tender texture.
Wet and Binding Ingredients:
  • Unsalted Butter: Adds rich flavor and creates flaky layers, best when cold and cut into small pieces.
  • Buttermilk: Provides tanginess and helps activate the leavening agents, creates tender crumb.
  • Heavy Cream: Gives a beautiful golden color and shine to the scone tops.
Optional Add-In:
  • Currants: Offers bursts of sweetness and additional texture, can be substituted with other dried fruits.

How to Make Ina Garten’s Buttermilk Scones

How to Make Ina Garten’s Buttermilk Scones

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Make sure the rack is in the center position for even baking.

Step 2: Create Dry Ingredient Blend

In a large mixing bowl, combine:
  • All-purpose flour
  • Granulated sugar
  • Salt
  • 2 baking powder
  • Baking soda

Whisk the ingredients together until well mixed.

Step 3: Incorporate Butter

Slice unsalted butter into small cubes. Add to the dry mixture and use your fingertips to blend until the texture resembles coarse sand or breadcrumbs.

Step 4: Add Liquid Magic

Pour buttermilk into the bowl. Gently stir until the dough just comes together. Optional: Mix in currants for extra burst of flavor.

Step 5: Shape Beautiful Scones

Transfer dough onto a lightly floured surface. Divide into 2 equal portions. Roll each portion into a round about 3/4-inch thick. Slice each round into 8 triangular wedges.

Step 6: Prepare For Golden Perfection

Arrange wedges on a greased baking sheet, leaving small spaces between them. Brush tops with heavy cream to create a gorgeous golden finish.

Step 7: Bake And Celebrate

Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven. Bake for 15 minutes or until edges turn light golden brown. Remove and let cool briefly. Serve warm with soft butter and your favorite jam.

Pro Tips for Ina Garten’s Buttermilk Scones

  • Zest Up Your Scones: Grate fresh citrus peel into the dough for a burst of bright, unexpected flavor that transforms traditional scones.
  • Chill Out with Butter: Freeze butter chunks before mixing to create ultra-flaky layers that melt in your mouth and guarantee tender pastry.
  • Gentle Touch Matters: Mix ingredients minimally, stopping just when the dough barely comes together to keep scones light and delicate.
  • Flour Power Technique: Lightly spoon flour into measuring cups and sweep with a knife for precise, consistent measurements every single time.
  • Temperature Tricks: Let scones rest at room temperature for 15 minutes before baking to help them rise perfectly and develop amazing texture.

How to Store Ina Garten’s Buttermilk Scones

  • Freezer Method: Individually wrap scones in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag. Seal tightly to prevent freezer burn and maintain freshness. These delightful treats will stay delicious for up to 3 months, ready to enjoy whenever a craving hits.
  • Refrigeration Technique: Protect scones by placing them in an airtight container with a paper towel lining. The towel absorbs excess moisture, keeping the scones tender and preventing sogginess. Refrigerate for maximum freshness, enjoying them within 5 days for the best taste and texture.
  • Counter Storage: For short-term enjoyment, keep scones at room temperature in a sealed container. Consume within 1-2 days to experience their optimal flavor and soft, crumbly texture. Cover loosely to prevent them from drying out.

Creative Twists on Ina Garten’s Buttermilk Scones

  • Berry Burst Scones: Replace currants with a mix of fresh blueberries, raspberries, and chopped strawberries for a vibrant fruity flavor.
  • Chocolate Chip Comfort: Swap currants with semi-sweet chocolate chips and sprinkle a bit of raw sugar on top before baking for extra crunch.
  • Savory Herb Sensation: Eliminate sugar, add chopped fresh rosemary, thyme, and grated parmesan cheese to transform these scones into a savory breakfast or brunch treat.
  • Nutty Crunch Edition: Fold in chopped toasted almonds or pecans and add a touch of ground cinnamon to create a warm, textured scone with a rich nutty profile.

Ina Garten’s Buttermilk Scones: A Perfect Breakfast or Snack

Ina Garten’s buttermilk scones epitomize classic British bakery charm with American culinary precision.

Crisp exterior and tender crumb create a sensational breakfast experience that transports palates across continents.

Classic ingredients meld seamlessly, producing bakery-quality results right in home kitchens.

Butter-rich dough promises delectable moments of pure comfort and indulgence.

Currants add sophisticated nuance, elevating simple pastry into gourmet territory.

Warm scones beckon readers to savor, share their baking adventures, snap mouthwatering photos, and spread delicious inspiration across social platforms.

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Ina Garten Buttermilk Scones Recipe

Ina Garten Buttermilk Scones Recipe


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4.5 from 8 reviews

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Ina Garten’s buttermilk scones deliver a classic British bakery experience with rich, crumbly texture and delicate flavor. Warm from the oven, these scones pair perfectly with clotted cream and jam, promising a delightful morning treat that connects you to traditional tea time elegance.


Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients:

  • 3 cups (360 grams) flour
  • ⅓ cup (67 grams) sugar
  • 2 ½ teaspoons (12.5 grams) baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon (2.5 grams) baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon (6 grams) salt

Fat and Liquid Ingredients:

  • ¾ cup (170 grams) unsalted butter (1 ½ sticks)
  • 1 cup (240 milliliters) buttermilk

Optional and Finishing Ingredients:

  • ½ cup (75 grams) currants
  • 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) heavy cream (for brushing)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the oven by heating it to 400°F (200°C), creating an ideal baking environment for the scones.
  2. Sift together all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda in a spacious mixing bowl, ensuring a uniform dry mixture.
  3. Carefully dice unsalted butter into small, uniform cubes and incorporate into the dry ingredients. Gently work the butter using fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse, sandy crumbs.
  4. Create a well in the center of the flour mixture and slowly pour in buttermilk. Fold the ingredients together with minimal stirring to maintain a tender texture. Delicately fold in currants if desired, distributing them evenly throughout the dough.
  5. Transfer the soft dough onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the mixture into two equal portions, gently shaping each into a round disk approximately 3/4-inch thick.
  6. Using a sharp knife, slice each round into eight triangular wedges, ensuring clean, precise cuts.
  7. Arrange the scone wedges on a lightly greased baking sheet, leaving slight separation between each piece to allow for even browning.
  8. Brush the top of each scone with heavy cream, creating a lustrous, golden surface that will caramelize during baking.
  9. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 15 to 18 minutes, watching for a light golden-brown coloration.
  10. Remove from the oven and allow the scones to cool slightly on a wire rack. Serve warm, accompanied by softened butter and your favorite marmalade for a delightful teatime treat.

Notes

  • Elevate your baking skills with these irresistibly tender buttermilk scones that transform an ordinary morning into a luxurious experience.
  • Freezing the prepared scones before baking helps lock in their incredible flakiness and ensures a picture-perfect rise.
  • Gentle handling of the dough prevents tough, dense results, keeping the texture light and crumbly.
  • Experimenting with different dried fruits or adding citrus zest can personalize these classic scones to suit your taste.
  • Storing the scones in an airtight container maintains their freshness for up to three days at room temperature.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 240 kcal
  • Sugar: 5 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 12 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 32 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Ethan Miller

Ethan Miller

Founder & Lead Content Writer

Expertise

  • Recipe Development and Testing
  • Food Photography and Styling
  • Culinary Writing and Blogging
  • Ingredient Sourcing and Sustainability Practices

Education

Portland Community College

  • Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in culinary techniques, kitchen operations, and food safety protocols.

Culinary Institute of the Pacific

  • Program: Certificate in International Cuisine
  • Focus: Exploration of global culinary traditions, flavor profiles, and plating artistry.

Ethan’s culinary journey began in his grandmother’s kitchen, where he first learned to play with flavors and ingredients. With formal training in culinary arts and a deep love for international cuisines, Ethan’s goal is to share the joy of cooking with others.

He believes food is all about creativity and bringing people together, one meal at a time. When he’s not experimenting with new dishes, he enjoys hiking in the Oregon wilderness and discovering fresh, local ingredients.

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