Recipe: Easy Scones

Introduction

Ingredients

• 2 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup of sugar
• 1 tablespoon of baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 1/2 cup of unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
• 1/2 cup of milk
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
3. Using a pastry cutter or your hands, cut in the chilled butter until the mixture becomes crumbly and resembles coarse sand.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, and vanilla extract.
5. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
6. On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough for a few seconds until it comes together into a ball.
7. Pat the dough into a circle that is about 1 inch thick.
8. Cut the dough into 8-10 wedges using a sharp knife or a biscuit cutter.
9. Place the scones on the prepared baking sheet and brush the tops with a little bit of milk.
10. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the scones are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
11. Allow the scones to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
12. Serve the scones warm or at room temperature with your favorite toppings, such as jam, butter, whipped cream, or honey.

Nutrition

• Calories: 250
• Total Fat: 12g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Cholesterol: 55mg
• Sodium: 300mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 31g
• Dietary Fiber: 1g
• Total Sugars: 10g
• Protein: 4g

Variations

• Cranberry Orange: Add 1/2 cup of dried cranberries and 1 tablespoon of orange zest to the dough.
• Lemon Blueberry: Add 1/2 cup of fresh blueberries and 1 tablespoon of lemon zest to the dough.
• Chocolate Chip: Add 1/2 cup of chocolate chips to the dough.
• Cinnamon Sugar: Mix 1/4 cup of sugar and 1 tablespoon of cinnamon together and sprinkle it on top of the scones before baking.
• Savory: Omit the sugar and add 1 cup of shredded cheese and 1 tablespoon of dried herbs, such as rosemary or thyme, to the dough.

Tips

• Make sure your butter is cold and cubed before adding it to the dry ingredients. This will help create a flaky texture.
• Handle the dough as little as possible to prevent it from becoming tough.
• Use a sharp knife or biscuit cutter to cut the dough into wedges. Do not twist the cutter as this will seal the edges and prevent the scones from rising properly.
• Brush the tops of the scones with a little bit of milk or egg wash to help them brown and create a shiny appearance.
• Allow the scones to cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This will help them set and prevent them from becoming soggy.

Conclusion