Classic Scones - Bake from Scratch

      Due to an increase in popularity as a tea-time snack—often credited to Anna, the Duchess of Bedford, who had a penchant for serving these baked treats at her social events—scones are now cherished throughout the United Kingdom and beyond. The dough for scones is straightforward, so using quality ingredients will enhance the flavor and outcome.

      **Ingredients:**

      - 3 cups (375 grams) all-purpose flour

      - ¼ cup (50 grams) granulated sugar

      - 4 teaspoons (20 grams) baking powder

      - 1¼ teaspoons (4 grams) kosher salt

      - ¾ cup (170 grams) cold unsalted butter, cubed

      - ⅔ cup mix-ins (optional; see Note)

      - 1 cup (240 grams) cold heavy whipping cream

      - 1 tablespoon (13 grams) vanilla extract

      - 1 large egg (50 grams)

      - 1 tablespoon (15 grams) water

      **Instructions:**

      1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

      2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Use a pastry blender or two forks to cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles crumbs. If adding mix-ins, stir them in at this point.

      3. Pour in the cold cream and vanilla, mixing with a fork just until the dough begins to come together. Then, use your hands to knead the dough until fully combined.

      4. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and roll it out into a rectangle about 1½ inches thick. Cut the dough into thirds using a bench scraper or bowl scraper, and stack the pieces on top of each other. Repeat the rolling, cutting, and stacking process one more time.

      5. Flatten or roll the dough to a thickness of 1 inch. Using a 2½-inch round cutter, cut out the dough, rerolling scraps as needed to utilize all the dough. Arrange the scones on the prepared baking sheet, placing them 2 inches apart. Freeze until firm, approximately 15 minutes.

      6. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and 1 tablespoon (15 grams) of water; brush the mixture over the scones.

      7. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until they are golden brown. Allow them to cool on the pan for 5 minutes. They are best served warm and can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

      **Note:** Feel free to experiment with different mix-ins for your scones. Mini chocolate chips, dried fruits, or chopped nuts can enhance the flavor. You might also add a tablespoon of citrus zest or a mix of herbs and some hard or semi-hard cheese for a savory twist. Just ensure that the add-ins are small enough to avoid difficulty when cutting out the scones.

      We’d love to hear how they turn out!