Description
Highland cream scones weave Scottish culinary magic into delicate pastry perfection. Buttery layers melt with classic charm, inviting you to savor each crumbly, rich bite of traditional bakery elegance.
Ingredients
Scale
Main ingredients:
- 2 cups (480 ml) all-purpose flour
- 6 tablespoons (85 grams) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
- ⅔ cup (160 ml) heavy cream
Sweeteners and flavoring:
- ¼ cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Leavening and seasoning:
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
Optional ingredients:
- ½ cup (75 grams) mix-ins (e.g. blueberries, chocolate chips, dried cranberries)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven environment by heating to 400F (200C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper for optimal scone baking.
- Create a dry ingredient foundation by thoroughly combining flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a spacious mixing bowl.
- Transform the cold butter into a crumbly texture using a pastry cutter or fingertips, ensuring a consistent, sandy-like consistency throughout the mixture.
- Craft a liquid base by whisking cream, egg, and vanilla together in a separate smaller vessel until smooth and well-integrated.
- Gently merge the wet and dry ingredients, stirring minimally to prevent overworking the dough. If incorporating additional elements like fruits or chocolate, fold them in with delicate movements.
- Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface, shaping it into a compact circular form approximately one inch thick. Divide the circle into eight precise triangular wedges using a sharp knife or create individual rounds with a biscuit cutter.
- Arrange the shaped scones onto the prepared baking sheet, then delicately brush the surface with a thin layer of cream to achieve a golden, appetizing exterior during baking.
Notes
- Choose butter straight from the fridge for maximum flakiness and keep it cold throughout mixing to ensure tender scones.
- Handle the dough minimally to prevent tough, dense results – mix just until ingredients combine and avoid overworking.
- Experiment with different mix-ins like dried fruits, nuts, or chocolate chips to create unique flavor variations that suit your taste preferences.
- Freeze unbaked scones for later by cutting into wedges, placing on a tray, and storing in a freezer bag – bake directly from frozen, adding 3-5 extra minutes to cooking time.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 40 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg