Scottish Girdle Scones Recipes

CREAM GIRDLE SCONES (STOVE-TOP SCONES)

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar, then add the egg.
• Add the milk, then the flour and salt, and mix until it comes together into a dough. (If adding raisins or currants, do so at this time.)
• Turn out onto floured surface and fold over until smooth and divide in two. Roll out each half and cut into 4 quarters.
• Place on preheated griddle set at about medium high to test, (if some flour turns light brown in a few seconds, it is ready). Turn the scones when they have risen, and the bottoms are dark colored.
• Continue to cook until the other side is also well-colored and scone is cooked entirely.
• Remove from heat and cool in a kitchen towel for a few minutes before serving.
• Serve while warm with butter, jam and/or cream and some hot tea.

SCOTTISH GIRDLE SCONES

Steps:

• Whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
• Cube the cold butter and place in a mixer with the sugar. Use a flat beater to combine--don't worry about it being perfect. You are not creaming this until light and fluffy.
• Add the flour mixture and once again beat to combine.
• Mix in the currants
• Whisk together the buttermilk and egg until the egg is thoroughly emulsified into buttermilk. Then add the buttermilk mixture to the mixer bowl and beat until just combined.
• Remove about half of the dough and pat it into a circle--be sure not to over-handle. Roll to about 3/4 inch thickness, and then use a biscuit cutter to cut into circles. I used a 2-inch diameter circle. Set aside on a platter for cooking. Repeat with remaining dough and when you are down to scraps just make a scone or 2 shaped with your hands that will not be perfect circles. Think of them as the cook's treat!
• As with pancakes, it may take 1 or 2 scones the first time you make these to get the heat just right for your particular cooktop. Cast iron or enameled cast iron works best. If you are concerned use a little butter to grease the pan (if you use stainless steel, which I do not recommend, you may need a lot of butter which will change the final result). On my induction cooktop medium to slightly below medium heat worked best, although I started at a higher temperature. You will know it is ready when a little flour sprinkled on the surface turns light brown immediately.
• Cook on the first side until the scone is raised and light brown on the bottom. Flip to cook until light brown on the other side and cooked all the way through. As with pancakes, you may need to slice into your first one to make sure you are getting it right, but after that it will go fast. And after that first one, you can cook more than one at a time, but do not overcrowd them or they will not rise properly or brown.
• These scones in dough form felt quite heavy and then when they were done they were quite light. My best guess is from water evaporating.
• Smother in butter and honey and devour immediately. Or take some to the neighbor wrapped in a towel.

GRIDDLE SCONES

Steps:

• Sift together flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt into a bowl. Stir together buttermilk and butter in a small bowl with a fork, then add to dry ingredients and stir just until a soft dough forms.
• Turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface. Divide dough in half and knead each half 3 or 4 times. Pat each half into a 6-inch round (1/2 inch thick), then cut each round into 4 wedges.
• Heat griddle over low heat until hot. Working in 2 batches if griddle is small, lightly dust both sides of each scone with flour, shaking off excess, and cook scones over low heat, undisturbed, 3 minutes. Increase heat to moderately low and cook until scones are puffed and undersides are golden brown, about 5 minutes more. Turn scones over and cook until golden brown and cooked through (watch scones closely and adjust heat as needed so they cook through but do not burn), 7 to 8 minutes (cut one scone open to check for doneness).
• Transfer to a rack and cool to warm, 3 to 4 minutes.

GIRDLE SCONES

Steps:

• Process flour, salt and butter in food processor.
• Add sugar, mixed spice and sultanas; process again.
• Add egg and milk, and process to make a stiff dough. Add more milk if needed.
• Roll out (with flour as necessary) to 1 cm. Cut into rounds.
• Fry with a little oil or butter, starting on a medium heat down to low, for around 5 minutes per side until golden brown.

TRADITIONAL SCOTTISH TATTIE SCONES RECIPE

Steps:

• Peel and boil potatoes, or boil with skins on and remove after. Use similar sized potatoes or cut to the smallest size.
• Drain potatoes and allow them to air dry for a few minutes
• Add in room temperature butter and mash into the potato. If you have a potato ricer you can use this instead and then mix the butter in.
• Add the flour a few tablespoons at a time until it forms a stiff dough. You may not need to use all of it.
• Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and separate into 3 balls. If the potatoes are still hot or very warm then allow to cool slightly before moving on to the next step.
• Take each ball and pat it out into a flat circle, constantly turning and lightly flouring each side so that it doesn't stick. Once it's big enough you can use a small plate on top to cut the rough edges into a perfect circle. Remember to keep turning and flouring.
• Prick all over with a fork and then either cut into four or score but don't cut right through. If your dough is holding together well you can fry it as one large round and then cut after, or if you find it easier fry the tattie scones separately.
• Heat a large, flat-bottomed pan on the stove until hot, then turn down to a medium-low heat. Do not grease the pan as the butter will end up burning. If your scone is lightly dusted in flour it won't stick.
• Use a spatula/fish slice to move the scone/s into the pan and fry on each side for 3-4 minutes. Keep an eye on the colour and if it's browning too quickly then turn the heat down. You can flip more than once.
• Remove and allow to cool before eating with butter and jam if you like, or return to the pan with some butter to fry. The scones can be kept in an airtight container and fried later or warmed in the toaster. They can also be frozen.