The Best Classic Cream Scones Recipes

CLASSIC CREAM SCONES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
• Sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, cream of tartar and salt in a large bowl. Cut the butter into the dry mixture using a pastry cutter (or very quickly with your fingertips). Add the cream and the eggs, stirring together into a dough.
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and pat into an 8- to 9-inch-wide, 1/2-inch-thick circle. Cut into 8 triangles. Spread the triangles across the tray. Bake until toasted on the bottom and lightly golden on top, 15 to 20 minutes.

THE BEST CLASSIC CREAM SCONES

Steps:

• Place the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and sugar in a bowl.
• Add the butter. You can cut the butter into the flour using a pastry cutter, OR use your fingers to rub the butter into the flour. You should have pea sized butter pieces in the flour, while it looks coarse overall.
• Mix the vanilla into the cream, and pour it gradually into the flour and butter mix. Use a fork to mix the cream into the flour until it's all incorporated and you have a shaggy looking lumpy dough.
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly dusted parchment paper (the same parchment paper that will be used to bake the scones). Lightly dust the surface of the scones, and bring the dough together to form a cohesive dough. Pat the dough out to a 6 - 8 inch circle or square.
• Cut the dough in half, and place one half on top of the other. Place a parchment paper on top, and roll out the scone dough to another 6 - 8 inch circle or square (you can use your hands to pat the dough too). Repeat the process of cutting and layering the dough (once or twice more).
• Final roll out - here you roll out the scone dough to a rough square while making sure that the dough is about ½ - ¾ of an inch high. Roughly cut and remove just the edges of the dough with a clean knife.
• Cut the dough into 16 pieces (4 x 4), making sure to clean the knife after each cut. Cut the scones STRAIGHT DOWN with a sharp knife, to make sure your scones have clean edges and will rise properly. If you are using a biscuit cutter, lightly dust the cutter, and cut the dough straight down for clean cuts.
• Place the cut scones in the freezer for about 10 - 15 minutes until the oven preheats.
• Preheat oven to 425°F.
• Place the scones (with the parchment paper) on a baking tray. Separate the scones, as mentioned below, before baking (you may need to use a spatula to help release the scones off the parchment paper from the bottom).
• For soft sides - scones should be touching each other before going into the oven. For soft and crunchy sides - scones should be placed about 1 - 1 ½ cm apart. For crunchy sides - place the scones about 2 inches apart.
• Brush ONLY the tops of the scones with milk or cream. Sprinkle some coarse sugar on top of the scones (optional).
• Place the scones in the oven, and reduce the temperature to 400°F. Bake in the oven for about 20 minutes, until the scones turn a beautiful golden brown.
• Remove from the oven and let them cool down a little.
• Eat while warm, or if cold, warm them up in the microwave for about 20 - 30 seconds. Serve with butter, jam and cream.

THE BEST SCONES

Steps:

• Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Whisk the cream, egg and milk powder in a liquid measuring cup. Pulse the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder and salt in a food processor until combined. Add the butter and pulse only until pea-size pieces remain. Transfer to a large bowl and make a well in the center. Pour the wet ingredients into the well and mix with a fork, incorporating the dry ingredients a little at a time until a shaggy dough forms (it's okay if the dough looks a little dry, just don't overwork it). Lightly knead the dough in the bowl until it just comes together.
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and pat into a 1-inch-thick rectangle (about 9 by 7 inches). Cut in half lengthwise, then cut in half again crosswise; you should have 4 equal rectangles. Cut each piece in half from corner to corner making 8 triangular wedges. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet and freeze for 10 minutes.
• Brush the tops with cream and sprinkle with demerara sugar. Bake the scones until golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes, and then transfer to a wire rack to cool for 15 more minutes. Serve warm with softened butter and jam.

CLASSIC SCONES WITH JAM & CLOTTED CREAM

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Tip the self-raising flour into a large bowl with ¼ tsp salt and the baking powder, then mix.
• Add the butter, then rub in with your fingers until the mix looks like fine crumbs. Stir in the caster sugar.
• Put the milk into a jug and heat in the microwave for about 30 secs until warm, but not hot. Add the vanilla extract and a squeeze of lemon juice, then set aside for a moment.
• Put a baking tray in the oven. Make a well in the dry mix, then add the liquid and combine it quickly with a cutlery knife - it will seem pretty wet at first.
• Scatter some flour onto the work surface and tip the dough out. Dredge the dough and your hands with a little more flour, then fold the dough over 2-3 times until it's a little smoother. Pat into a round about 4cm deep. Take a 5cm cutter (smooth-edged cutters tend to cut more cleanly, giving a better rise) and dip it into some flour. Plunge into the dough, then repeat until you have four scones. You may need to press what's left of the dough back into a round to cut out another four.
• Brush the tops with a beaten egg, then carefully arrange on the hot baking tray. Bake for 10 mins until risen and golden on the top. Eat just warm or cold on the day of baking, generously topped with jam and clotted cream. If freezing, freeze once cool. Defrost, then put in a low oven (about 160C/140C fan/gas 3) for a few minutes to refresh.

CREAM SCONES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and position a rack in the top third of the oven. Thoroughly combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Make a well in the center of this mixture, add 1 1/4 cups of cream and stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients with a fork. Work quickly, stirring as little as possible, until a soft, shaggy dough forms. Add more cream, a tablespoon at a time, if the dough seems too dry.
• Use a large serving spoon or cup measure to drop the batter onto an ungreased baking sheet, allowing at least 2 inches between each scone. Brush the top of each with heavy cream and bake until golden, about 15 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

CREAM SCONES RECIPE

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Put the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar in a food processor or a big mixing bowl if doing by hand. Pulse or whisk to combine everything well.
• Add the 1 1/3 cups cream and vanilla to the processor and pulse/process to bring together into a dough. If it seems dry or doesn't come together add the remaining 3 tablespoons of cream.
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and bring into one single mass. Divide in half and form 2 disks about 5 1/2 inches across.
• Slice each disk into 6 triangluar scones.
• Place the scones in 2 circles on the baking sheet, leaving about an inch or so between each one. Place the pan in the freezer for 15 minutes, while you preheat the oven to 425F.
• When the oven has come to temperature, remove the scones from the freezer and brush the tops with a little bit of heavy cream. Sprinkle with the coarse sugar.
• Bake the scones for about 15 minutes. They'll just be starting to turn a faint golden, and not feel 'squishy' or look wet on the sides. Mine started to form cracks on the surface as they got close to being done. Note: Your oven may vary, so check them on the early side, and don't be afraid to give them an extra minute or two if they don't seem done.
• Serve the scones warm with clotted cream and jam. Store leftovers at room temperature covered with foil. Reheat in the microwave for 20 seconds.

CLASSIC TEA TIME CREAM SCONES

Steps:

• In a big bowl mix flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. If using vanilla bean add it now.
• Add the butter and rub it in using two knives, a pastry blender or your finger tips. When the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, stop.
• Add the beaten egg and enough cream to make a soft but not sticky dough.
• Turn out onto a lightly floured board and knead lightly (not more than 8 times).
• Pat down and cut out scones using a cookie cutter or a glass (I use a glass of 7.5 cm in diameter).
• Place on a paper-lined baking sheet and brush with some cream if you like.
• Bake in the pre-heated oven at 220°C/425°C for 10-15 minutes or until lightly browned.