Delicious Cream Tea Scones – Perfect Afternoon Treat
Greetings foodies!
I am excited to share with you the recipe for the most delightful tea-time treat: English Cream Tea Scones. This classic British pastry is a staple at afternoon tea and is perfect for any occasion that calls for a touch of elegance and indulgence.
These scones are light, buttery, and fluffy, with just the right amount of sweetness. They are traditionally served alongside jam and clotted cream, making for a heavenly combination of flavors and textures.
As someone who has had the privilege of attending a high tea at Buckingham Palace, I can attest to the importance of having a proper scone on hand. Believe me when I say that no tea party is complete without it.
So whether you fancy hosting your own elegant gathering or simply want to elevate your everyday snack game, these English Cream Tea Scones are definitely the way to go. With just a few simple ingredients and easy-to-follow steps, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying this delectable British classic.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Greetings, fellow foodies! Do you love the classic British tradition of afternoon tea? Are you looking for a delicious and easy-to-follow recipe to impress your guests or simply indulge in a delightful treat? Look no further! This English Cream Tea Scones recipe is sure to satisfy your cravings and exceed your expectations.
One of the reasons why you’ll love this recipe is its simplicity. With only 9 ingredients, including all-purpose flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, unsalted butter, milk, heavy cream, egg, and clotted cream, anyone can easily whip up a batch of freshly baked scones in just 25 minutes. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner in the kitchen, this recipe is foolproof and incredibly satisfying.
The taste and texture of these tea scones is another reason why they’ve become a timeless British classic that’s served alongside tea at Buckingham Palace and by Queen Elizabeth herself. Our recipe calls for the perfect balance of fluffiness and density that’s achieved by using the right amount of baking powder and all-purpose flour. The addition of dried currants or raisins adds a pop of sweetness and texture that complements the savory buttery flavor of each bite.
Lastly, this recipe is versatile and customizable to your personal preferences. You can substitute dried fruit for chocolate chips or matcha powder to make green tea scones. You can also add your favorite jam flavors on top of clotted cream or whipped cream to elevate the flavors even further. The possibilities are endless!
In conclusion, our English Cream Tea Scones recipe offers the perfect combination of simplicity, taste, texture, and customization that will surely impress yourself and your loved ones. Why not host a tea party with these delightful scones to show off your baking skills? Or simply enjoy them with a cup of hot tea on a cozy evening at home? Whatever you choose to do with this recipe, we guarantee that it will bring you joy and satisfaction. Don’t wait any longer; try it out today!
Ingredient List
Now that you know why these English Cream Tea Scones are a must-try, let’s talk about the ingredients. Here’s what you will need:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup of granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon of baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon of salt
- 6 tablespoons of unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces
- 1/2 cup of dried currants (optional)
- 2/3 cup of heavy cream
- 2 large eggs, beaten (one for the scone dough, and one for egg wash before baking)
Note: If you want to make your scones fluffier, you can add half a teaspoon of cream of tartar to the dry ingredients.
These English Cream Tea Scones ingredients are easy-to-find items. Most are quite basic, but it is essential to use fresh baking powder for optimal results. Butter should be cold, so it creates steam while baking contributing to the scone’s delicate texture. Add currants for extra sweetness and a delightful flavor, no wonder they are one of the best known English treats at Buckingham Palace afternoon tea parties.
So before heading to your kitchen, make sure you’re set with all the ingredients to make this delightfully British cream tea scone recipe.
The Recipe How-To
Now it’s time to get baking these delicious English Cream Tea Scones. Follow these step-by-step instructions to create the perfect scones for your afternoon tea party.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1 egg, beaten
- 3/4 cup heavy cream, plus extra for brushing
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (218°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.
- Add the cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to rub the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse sand.
- Add the beaten egg and pour in the heavy cream. Mix gently until a soft dough forms.
- Place the dough onto a generously floured surface and knead lightly until smooth.
- Roll out the dough into a circle approximately 1-inch thick and use a cookie cutter to cut out scones.
- Transfer scones onto prepared baking sheet and brush with extra heavy cream.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown on top.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool on a wire rack for at least 10 minutes.
These English Cream Tea Scones will pair perfectly with jam and clotted cream for a traditional British treat!
Substitutions and Variations
If you’re feeling adventurous and want to mix things up, there are plenty of substitutions and variations you can try with this English Cream Tea Scones recipe.
– For a savory twist, try making cheese scones by adding grated cheddar cheese and a pinch of cayenne pepper to the dry ingredients.
– Instead of clotted cream, try whipped cream or butter for a different flavor and texture.
– To add some extra sweetness, swap out the dried currants for raisins or cranberries.
– If you prefer a gluten-free option, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Just be sure to check that the blend includes xanthan gum or another binding agent.
Remember, these are just suggestions – feel free to get creative and experiment with different flavors! But keep in mind that substitutions may affect the texture and rise of your scones. So if you’re new to baking or trying a new variation for the first time, don’t be discouraged if your scones don’t turn out perfect on the first try. Practice makes perfect!
Whatever variation you decide to try, make sure to pair your finished scones with a cup of freshly brewed English tea and enjoy them as part of a traditional cream tea. Perfect for an afternoon treat, high tea party or even alongside Queen Elizabeth’s snacks at Buckingham Palace!
Serving and Pairing
What’s an English Cream Tea Scones Recipe without a proper serving and pairing recommendation? The most traditional way to enjoy these scones is by heating them up and slathering them with jam and clotted cream. As for the type of jam, strawberry jam is a classic choice, but you can also opt for raspberry, blackberry or apricot. The sweetness of the jam perfectly balances the buttery flavor of the scones.
When it comes to picking out the best tea pairing, English Breakfast Tea is the most common choice. However, Earl Grey will also go well with these scones if you want to try something different. There’s no doubt that a warm cup of tea is just what you need to complement the creamy taste of this British delicacy.
Another non-traditional approach would be to serve these scones alongside some savoury options like cheese scones or finger sandwiches. You can create a more elaborate spread, perfect for high tea or afternoon tea party.
These scones can also be enjoyed as a breakfast option or as a quick snack when you have guests over. You can even turn them into a dessert by topping them with whipped cream or fresh berries.
Ultimately, there’s no doubt that these English Cream Tea Scones are versatile and can be served in many different ways. Be experimental and find the pairing that suits your taste buds best!
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
As a busy chef, I know the importance of being able to prepare ahead, and this recipe is perfect for that. If you’re hosting an afternoon tea party, you can make these scones one day in advance and store them in an air-tight container at room temperature. Alternatively, you can freeze the unbaked dough for up to two months.
To reheat these scones, preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Place the scones on a baking tray and cover with foil. Bake them for about 10-15 minutes until warm and slightly crispy on the outside.
One tip I recommend is to use parchment paper between each layer of scones when storing them in a container. This prevents them from sticking together and becoming soggy.
If you have left-over scones, they can be stored in an air-tight container at room temperature for up to three days. To enjoy them later, just reheat them in the oven as described above.
For an extra indulgent treat, serve your English Cream Tea Scones warm with jam and clotted cream! These scones are perfect for serving alongside your favorite British tea or alternatively enjoyed with a cup of coffee.
Tips for Perfect Results
Now that you know how to make a perfect batch of English Cream Tea Scones, let me share some tips and tricks that will help these delicious treats come out just as good as the ones they serve in Buckingham Palace.
– The key to making perfect scones is to keep the butter cold. When you cut the butter into the flour, make sure it is still in small pieces, and you can see small chunks of butter throughout the dough. These will melt during baking and create flaky layers in the scones.
– While mixing the dough, be gentle and avoid over-mixing. Over-mixing leads to tough scones that are not as tender as they should be. Mix only until everything comes together.
– Ensure your oven is hot enough before placing your scones inside it. A preheated 425°F oven will ensure a crispy crust and fluffy interior.
– After cutting the dough into rounds, lightly brush the tops with beaten egg or cream. This will give them a beautiful golden color when baked.
– For a little sweetness and crunch, add some extra sugar on top before baking. You can also top them with dried fruits like cranberries or currants before baking.
– Serve your English Cream Tea Scone hot out of the oven while still warm.
Following these tips would ensure that you achieve fantastic results with this recipe every time you bake it. Now go ahead and enjoy your delicious scones with jam and clotted cream!
FAQ
Now that we have gone through the essential steps of preparing English Cream Tea Scones, it is time to address some common questions. Don’t worry; you’re not alone -everyone has faced difficulties during their first scone bake-off! Here are some frequently asked questions and responses to ensure your next bake is a success.
What is the secret to making good scones?
Achieving a fluffy and light texture for scones can be improved by using cold or even frozen butter. To prevent overworking the dough, mix it until just combined. The key to achieving a light crumb is to use pastry flour. Prior to baking, it’s best to refrigerate the shaped scones for optimal results. These tips will result in delicious scones with an airy texture.
What is the difference between tea biscuits and scones?
When it comes to baked goods like tea biscuits and scones, it is important to understand their differences in texture. Biscuits tend to have a flaky and buttery consistency, whereas scones are typically denser and possess a crunchy quality.
What is Queen Elizabeth’s favorite scone?
Recently released by Buckingham Palace, a recipe for Queen Elizabeth II’s favorite drop scones has been revealed to the public. Surprisingly, the recipe for these scones is quite simple and requires common ingredients such as flour, sugar, butter, baking soda, cream of tartar, eggs, and milk. This recipe yields approximately sixteen scones.
What’s the difference between English and American scones?
When it comes to baked goods, British scones are sweet treats that are often paired with fruity jams and indulgent clotted cream, while American biscuits are served as a savory side dish alongside main courses like chicken and gravy. Additionally, British scones are often made with milk instead of cream or buttermilk.
Bottom Line
And there you have it – the perfect recipe for English Cream Tea Scones, which can be served up at any afternoon tea party or enjoyed simply with a cup of British tea. As a chef specializing in British cuisine, I can assure you that these scones are one of the most popular and beloved British delicacies among people from all over the world.
Using only a few simple ingredients like flour, baking powder, and sugar, you can create fluffy and delicious scones that will leave your taste buds wanting more. Plus, with substitutions and variations available, you can customize your scones to your liking.
So, next time you’re in the mood for something indulgent and comforting, give this recipe a try. And don’t forget to pair it with some clotted cream and jam for an authentic English experience.
Trust me, as a chef who’s been cooking British cuisine for years, I can confidently say that one bite of these scones will transport you to Buckingham Palace itself. So go on and give this recipe a go – your taste buds will thank you for it!
English Cream Tea Scones Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 3 tablespoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup butter (Cold)
- 8 ounces whipping cream
Instructions
- Heat oven to 400 degrees.
- In a medium bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt; blend well.
- Using a pastry blender or fork, cut cold Butter into small slices and blend with the flour mixture until the flour mixture is crumbly looking.
- Add in the Whipping cream and stir.
- On a floured surface, gently knead dough 5 or 6 times.
- Cut dough in half.
- Place on ungreased cookie sheet and press each half into an 8inch circle about 1 inch thick. Cut into 8 wedges each but do not separate.
- Sprinkle with sugar and bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown.
- Cut into wedges and serve warm.
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.