Mouth-Watering Tea Scones Recipe for All Occasions
Ladies and gentlemen, it is my great pleasure to introduce you to a recipe that holds a special place in my heart: the British Tea Scones. These scones are the quintessential afternoon tea treat and an absolute must-have for any tea party. As George Orwell once said, “One can’t have tea with Queen Elizabeth without some scones and clotted cream.”
But what makes these scones so special? Is it the light, fluffy texture that melts in your mouth? Or is it the sweet aroma of raisins that fills the air as you take a bite? Perhaps it’s the satisfying crunch of each crumbly corner as you slather on some butter and jam.
Whatever it may be, I wholeheartedly believe that everyone should experience the joy of a warm scone with a cup of English tea. So without further ado, let’s dive into this easy-to-make British Tea Scones recipe and bring the tradition of cream tea into your own home!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Fellow gastronomes, indulge me as I wax lyrical about the quintessential British Tea Scones recipe. Picture this: a piping hot cup of English tea, freshly brewed and aromatic, served alongside a fresh batch of homemade scones that are just waiting to be slathered in clotted cream and jam.
Now, imagine how much better it will taste if these scones were made with the perfect balance of ingredients – soft and fluffy on the inside, with a delicate crust that shatters at the slightest touch. So if you’re looking for a recipe that’s easy to make and produces consistently mouth-watering results, then look no further than these British Tea Scones.
What sets this recipe apart is its simplicity. It uses just a few basic ingredients that are already likely sitting in your pantry – flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, unsalted butter, milk and egg. And while there may be variations on this classic based on preferences, such as the addition of fruit or cheese, the preparation remains straightforward which makes it an excellent recipe for beginners or lazy afternoons when all you want is something warm and comforting to snack on.
These scones are versatile; you can serve them with sweet toppings like jams or honey for a more traditional indulgence, or you may choose to add savory elements like cheddar cheese and herbs making them suitable for brunch or light lunches alongside soups and salads. And let’s not forget their crowning glory – the clotted cream! Whether enjoyed at high tea time or afternoon tea parties inspired by Buckingham Palace events or held under shade trees in your backyard, the buttery richness of clotted cream helps to create a heavenly flavor unlike any other.
So why should you love this British Tea Scone recipe? Because it’s an easy-to-follow recipe that produces consistent results that will leave you feeling satisfied after every bite. If you crave something that will satisfy long after tea time is over, this recipe is what you need to have in your kitchen. So hurry, grab your aprons and whip up a batch of these delightful tea scones today!
Ingredient List
Let’s take a look at the ingredients we’ll need to make these classic British Tea Scones. The recipe is simple, and chances are you’ll already have most of these items in your pantry or fridge. Here’s everything you’ll need:
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 tbsp granulated sugar
- 4 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
Cold Ingredients:
- 8 tbsp unsalted butter, cold
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup heavy cream
Optional Additions:
- ⅓ cup raisins or other dried fruit
- 4 tbsp shortening
Don’t worry if some of these ingredients sound unfamiliar – we’ll be explaining what they do and why they’re important as we go along. All of them are easy to find at your local grocery store, and you probably even have most of them at home right now!
The Recipe How-To
Now that you have gathered all the ingredients, let’s start making these British Tea Scones!
Step 1: Preheat and Prep the Oven
Preheat your oven to 400°F/200°C. Before beginning with the dough, line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease with butter.
Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 4 teaspoons of baking powder, 3 tablespoons of granulated sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt until well combined.
Step 3: Cut in the Butter
Next, add 8 tablespoons (1 stick) of unsalted butter, cold, and cut it into the flour mixture using a pastry cutter, two knives or a food processor. Make sure to incorporate the butter until you have small pea-size crumbs.
Step 4: Mix in Wet Ingredients
Crack 1 large egg into a measuring cup and beat it slightly. Next, pour in enough milk (around 3/4 cup) to make a total of 1/2 cup when combined with the egg.
Add the milk-egg mixture to the flour-butter mixture, along with any additional add-ins such as raisins or currants. Mix well until just combined (do not overmix).
Step 5: Form Dough into Discs and Cut
Lightly dust a clean surface or cutting board with flour. Place dough on this surface and roll it out to about an inch-thick circle. Using biscuit cutters or regular drinking glasses (around 2 inches wide), press down on the dough to create small circles.
Place each scone onto the prepared baking sheet.
Step 6: Bake!
Brush each scone with a little bit of milk or cream and bake for approximately 12-15 minutes or until the top of the scones is golden brown. Allow to cool on the pan for 5 minutes before removing.
Step 7: Serve!
Serve warm with plenty of butter, jam, or even clotted cream for an authentic British tea experience!
Enjoy!
Substitutions and Variations
When it comes to making scones, there are plenty of ways to mix things up and create unique flavor combinations that are sure to impress. Here are some suggestions for substitutions and variations to try:
1. Add in different fruits or extras: While raisins are a classic addition to English Tea Scones, feel free to mix things up by adding other dried fruits like cranberries or apricots, or even fresh fruits like blueberries or raspberries.
2. Try different types of flour: While all-purpose flour is the standard for most scone recipes, you can experiment with other types of flour as well. For example, you could try using half whole wheat flour to increase the fiber content, or using cake flour for a lighter and more delicate texture.
3. Swap out the shortening: If you don’t have any shortening on hand, you can use unsalted butter instead. Just be aware that this may alter the texture slightly.
4. Make savory scones: Don’t just limit yourself to sweet scone flavors! You can easily make savory versions by swapping out the sugar and raisins for ingredients like shredded cheese, herbs, sun-dried tomatoes, or chopped bacon.
5. Serve with different toppings: While clotted cream and jam are traditional scone toppings in Britain, feel free to get creative with what you serve alongside your scones. You could try honey and butter, lemon curd and whipped cream, or even Nutella!
Whatever flavor combinations you choose, remember that scones are meant to be enjoyed as part of a leisurely afternoon tea or cream tea – so take your time and savor each bite!
Serving and Pairing
Now that you’ve baked your delicious British tea scones, it’s time to serve and enjoy them. These scones are best served warm or at room temperature, so allow them to cool down for a few minutes before serving.
For a traditional British experience, pair these scones with some clotted cream and jam. Simply split the scone in half and spread the clotted cream on one side and jam on the other. Sandwich them together and enjoy.
These versatile scones can also be served with savory options. Try topping them with some cheddar cheese and bacon for a tasty breakfast or brunch option. They’re also perfect as a midday snack paired with a cup of English tea.
If you’re serving these scones at a tea party or high tea event, consider including other types of scones as well. Fruit scones, blueberry scones, and cheese scones make for tantalizing additions to any spread.
No matter how you decide to serve your British tea scones, they’re sure to impress your guests and transport them straight to Buckingham Palace.
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
Now that you’ve baked a batch of homemade scones, what do you do next? Well, the good news is that British tea scones are best enjoyed freshly baked and warm out of the oven. But if you’re in a rush or just want to prepare ahead of time, there are ways to make it work.
For those who prefer to plan ahead, scones dough can be made in advance and refrigerated or frozen until ready to use. To refrigerate, wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap or a reusable container and store in the refrigerator for up to one day. To freeze, wrap the dough and keep it frozen for up to a month. In either case, let the dough come to room temperature before shaping the scones.
If you have leftover scones that you won’t be able to serve right away, they can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Remember not to store them in the refrigerator or they will dry out faster!
If you’ve already baked your scones and have leftovers, you can reheat them by placing them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes. They will come out warm and fresh-like.
When serving your tea scones again, instead of eating them plain, add some clotted cream or jam onto each half while they’re still warm. For an extra kick of flavor, try making savory cheese scones or fruit-loaded blueberry scones!
With these make-ahead, storing and reheating tips, turning dough into fluffy English tea time treats has never been easier! Enjoy them at home with Buckingham Palace-worthy High Tea parties or Queen Elizabeth-approved afternoon tea ceremonies – but above all else, enjoy every scrumptious bite!
Tips for Perfect Results
In order to make the perfect British Tea Scones, there are a few key tips that can help ensure success every time you bake them. These tips will guide you through the process of creating the most delectable tea-time treats possible.
1. Use cold ingredients: Make sure your butter and milk are very cold before adding them to the dry ingredients. This helps create a flakier texture in the scones.
2. Don’t overwork the dough: It’s important to handle the dough as little as possible in order to keep it from getting tough. Mix only until everything is incorporated and then stop.
3. Use good quality flour: The flour you use can make a big difference in the final product. Choose a high-quality, all-purpose flour for the best results.
4. Mix dry ingredients first: Before adding any of the liquids, mix together all of your dry ingredients. This will ensure an even distribution of the leavening agents and salt.
5. Keep ingredients at room temperature: While it’s important to use cold ingredients, it’s also important to allow them to come to room temperature before baking. This ensures even baking and a more tender final product.
6. Use parchment paper: Lining your baking sheet with parchment paper makes clean-up easy and ensures even baking.
7. Preheat your oven: Make sure your oven is fully heated before baking your scones. This ensures they’ll bake evenly and rise properly.
8. Brush with cream or egg wash: A light brushing of cream or egg wash on top of your scones gives them a beautiful golden brown color when baked.
By following these simple tips, you’ll be able to create British Tea Scones that are fit for royalty – or at least, fit for any tea party!
FAQ
Before we go, let’s tackle some frequently asked questions to help you make the perfect British Tea Scones at home. Whether you are a beginner baker or an experienced one, it’s normal to have some doubts and concerns along the way. So, in this section, I’ll address some of the most common questions that may arise while making scones. From ingredient substitutions to baking time and storage tips, I’ve got you covered. Let’s get started!
What is the difference between British and American scones?
When it comes to comparing British scones and American biscuits, there are a few notable differences to keep in mind. Firstly, British scones tend to be sweeter and richer due to their higher sugar and fat content, and are commonly enjoyed with jam and clotted cream. In contrast, American biscuits are typically served as part of a savoury meal, served alongside dishes such as chicken, soup or gravy. Additionally, British scones are made using milk as opposed to buttermilk or cream.
What are British scones called in America?
When it comes to baked goods, there is a bit of a discrepancy between the terminology used in the UK and the US. In the US, a biscuit typically refers to a fluffy, bread-like pastry, while in the UK that same term is used to describe a crumbly cake-like treat. These “scones,” as the British call them, are typically enjoyed with butter, jam, and a piping hot cup of tea, and sometimes even accompanied by a dollop of clotted cream.
What is the difference between tea biscuits and scones?
When comparing tea biscuits and scones, it’s important to note the differences in texture. Tea biscuits are known for their flaky and buttery consistency, while scones have a denser and crunchier feel.
What is Queen Elizabeth’s favorite scone?
Recently, a recipe for Queen Elizabeth II’s beloved drop scones has been unveiled by Buckingham Palace. With a few simple ingredients such as flour, sugar, butter, baking soda, cream of tartar, eggs, and milk, you can easily whip up a batch of these delectable treats. The recipe makes about sixteen scones, perfect for a cozy morning breakfast or brunch.
Bottom Line
So, there you have it – the recipe for the quintessential British Tea Scones. This easy-to-make and delicious recipe is sure to please both new and seasoned bakers. Whether you are hosting a high tea, a formal event, or a casual party, these scones will be the perfect accompaniment to your tea, coffee, or hot cocoa.
Not only are these Tea Scones incredibly easy to make with simple ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry, but they are also very versatile. You can swap out raisins for blueberries or chocolate chips and customize them to your liking.
In the end, the best part about these scones is that they perfectly complement both butter and jam – or even better, clotted cream! As Queen Elizabeth II herself has been known to enjoy scones at Buckingham Palace, go ahead and channel your inner royal by making this classic British dish at home.
Whether you are an experienced baker or just starting out on your culinary adventure, this recipe is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth and leave you craving more. So don’t wait any longer – grab your apron and get baking!
British Tea Scones Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 cup sugar, superfine
- 1/3 cup shortening
- 1/2 cup raisins, sultana
- 1 egg
- 1/3 cup milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Combine in mixing bowl the flour, salt, baking powder and sugar. With pastry blender cut in the shortening. Add raisins. Lightly beat the egg and add enough milk to total 2/3 cup liquid. Add liquid to dry ingredients and stir gently with folk until dough holds together. Gather dough into a ball and place on lightly floured board and knead gently, about 12 kneading strokes. On lightly floured board roll dough out 1/4 inch thick and cut into rounds with biscuit cutter. Place scones on a baking sheet about 1 inch apart and bake for 12 to 15 minutes.
- Makes 12 to 16 scones.
- Presentation: Split scones while hot and spread with butter. Best served fresh from oven.
Nutrition
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Brian is a British chef cum food blogger who has been in the kitchen since he was a young lad. Growing up in Manchester, he developed a passion for cooking and a keen eye for the perfect dish. He now runs his own blog and YouTube channel, which is dedicated to sharing his passion for food with the world.