Scones became popular in England in the 1700s, thanks to Anna, the Duchess of Bedford. She was known for ordering them everyday for her afternoon tea. You can eat them at any time of day and they can be made sweet or savoury. The key to a good scone is to not overwork the dough. In this recipe we are using whole wheat and a combination of cranberries and orange zest. You can get as creative as you like with these treats and try other flavours when making this recipe.
Yield: 8 scones
Preparation Time: About 25 minutes
Baking Time: About 25 minutes @ 425 F
INGREDIENT LIST
- 1 cup whole-wheat flour
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 Tbsp. baking powder
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1/3 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
- 3/4 cup light cream (or whole milk)
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1 cup fresh or dried fruit (such as blueberries, raspberries, chopped dried
apricots, raisins or dried cranberries) - flour, for work surface
- sugar, to sprinkle on the scones
EQUIPMENT LIST
- large bowl
- measuring cups and
- spoons
- fork or whisk
- pastry cutter
- liquid measuring cup
- spatula
- dough scraper
- baking sheet
- parchment paper
METHOD
- Preheat oven to 425 F.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper (or grease the pan with butter).
- Measure the flours, sugar, baking powder and salt and place in a large bowl. Whisk together to combine.
- Toss the cold butter into the flour mixture then cut into the flour with a pastry cutter or break up with your fingers until the butter looks like fine crumbs. Do not handle the butter too much or it will soften.
- Measure the cream. Separate the eggs then add the yolks to the cream. Beat together with a fork. (Place the egg whites in the fridge for another use.)
- Add the cream mixture all at once to the flour mixture.
- With a spatula or dough scraper, gather the dough together into a shaggy ball. Add the fruit and mix just until combined.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and lightly knead (fold over the dough) just enough to form a soft dough. Do not handle too much. The less you work the dough, the more tender your scones will be.
- Shape the dough into a circle the size of a dessert plate. Flour your hands if necessary.
- Place on the prepared pan. With a sharp knife, cut the dough into 8 evenly -sized wedges (like a pie). To do so, cut dough in half, then each piece in half then half again.
- Gently separate the wedges so that they will cook evenly.
- Sprinkle with a little sugar.
- Place the baking sheet in the oven on a centre rack for about 25 minutes or until golden brown.
- Remove from the oven to a cooling rack.
- Enjoy while still warm.
Tasty Tips
- If you find the bottoms of the scones are too brown, try stacking two trays on top of each other. Scones are best fresh and warm. You can make the scones and freeze them before baking. Freeze the shaped dough on the baking tray, then store in an airtight bag in the freezer. Bake a few minutes more straight from the freezer.
SKILLS
STEP-BY-STEP – WHOLE WHEAT SCONES!
STEP 1
Gather and measure your ingredients. Ask an adult to help you turn the oven on to 425 F.
STEP 2
Measure all of your dry ingredients (flours, sugar, baking powder and salt) into a bowl. Combine them using a clean claw or a whisk.
STEP 3
Toss the cold butter into the flour mixture then cut into the flour with a pastry cutter or break up with your fingers until the butter looks like fine crumbs. Do not handle the butter too much or it will soften.
STEP 4
Measure the cream. Separate the eggs then add the yolks to the cream. Beat together with a fork.
STEP 5
Add the cream mixture all at once to the flour mixture.
STEP 6
Combine the dry and wet ingredients into a shaggy ball. Add the fruit until just combined.
STEP 7
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and lightly knead (fold over the dough) just enough to form a soft dough.
STEP 8
Shape the dough into a circle the size of a dessert plate.
STEP 9
Place on the pan you have previously prepared with some parchment paper. Cut the dough into 8 evenly sized wedges.
STEP 10
Gently separate the wedges and sprinkle a little sugar on top. Place the baking sheet in the centre rack of the oven for about 25 minutes.
STEP 11
Remove from the oven onto a cooling rack. Enjoy while still warm.
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