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
- Prepare the oven by heating it to 400°F (200°C), creating an ideal baking environment for the scones.
- Sift together all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda in a spacious mixing bowl, ensuring a uniform dry mixture.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Using a sharp knife, slice each round into eight triangular wedges, ensuring clean, precise cuts.
- Arrange the scone wedges on a lightly greased baking sheet, leaving slight separation between each piece to allow for even browning.
- Brush the top of each scone with heavy cream, creating a lustrous, golden surface that will caramelize during baking.
- Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 15 to 18 minutes, watching for a light golden-brown coloration.
- 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