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        • A Scandinavian Family Reunion Tea
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        • In Defense of Fruitcake: Fruitcakes and Candied Fruit
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Cakes and Tea

Kathleen's Blog

January 2023 - Scones 101

1/1/2023

3 Comments

 
​Tips and Step-by-Step Photos of Basic American-Style Scones
Scones are a much beloved and anticipated feature of British afternoon tea. The rise of the British Empire spread afternoon tea traditions the world over. A scone in New Zealand may be similar to a scone in Scotland or India. In America, we have done our American thing with making scones larger and having more additions and flavors and glazes. British scones are of a modest size, dark golden on the top, and usually round. Inclusions, if any, are currants or raisins. The ratio of flour to fat is lower and eggs may or may not be added. The common British practice of generously topping scones with clotted cream and preserves or lemon curd may explain why plainer scones are preferred.
To confuse us even more, recipes naturally grow and adapt to local tastes and conditions. We may think we are making grandma’s recipe but the ingredients she may have used are no longer available or have been replaced with more modern ingredients. In Britain, two devastating world wars inflicted food shortages that affected what was possible and popular. Scones, as are other tea time treats such as soda bread, shortbread, and crumpets, are made from pantry staples that most cooks would have on hand. 
Sometimes, I hear people speak of scones in a dismissive way as dry or hard, and indeed texture is a key factor in a proper scone. As I was taught, the ideal texture of American scones was almost like shale in its layered structure, not cakey or overly dense. Scones are not muffins. If the scones found in coffee shops around the country suffer from a seeming dryness, it’s probably because they are stale. Scones should be freshly baked as close to the time of serving as possible. Many seasoned hostesses, such as Rose, put the scones in the oven as the first guests are arriving, ensuring warm scones as soon as guests are seated.
Having baked for large afternoon tea catering jobs, I learned to make the scone dough, shape and cut into wedges or rounds, then freeze the scones before they are baked. They are transported still frozen then placed on baking sheets to be baked without defrosting. Depending on the size of the scone (I tend to make tea scones fairly small) the baking time increases by only a few minutes. This method enables hostesses to have freshly baked scones ready anytime. Contrary to what you might think, this actually improves the texture of the finished product. 
I’ve photographed each step of the scone-making process, from gathering ingredients right through to baking. When teaching baking, I find that if students bake several batches very soon after learning, the retained information becomes part of their baking repertoire. I highly recommend making a date with yourself once or twice a week to practice your scone skills until you feel very comfortable with the process. Scones freeze very well, baked or unbaked, so you never have to worry about having too many scones around. 
Equipment: mixing bowl, sieve or sifter, pastry blender or table knife, fork, pastry marble or clean work surface, bench scraper or chef’s knife, pastry brush, baking sheet lined with parchment paper, cooling rack
​
Picture
​Step 1: Gather your ingredients. For these photos, we are using cold butter, cut into chunks, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and buttermilk. Pastry blender and fork are at the ready. If you are working in a hot kitchen, don’t hesitate to pop the dish of butter into the fridge to keep chilled. Full disclosure: I only do this kind of ingredient setup when I am teaching or taking photos. Normally, I would get all my dry ingredients out and measure directly into the sieve. I put away each dry ingredient as I use it so I will know I already added it.   
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Step 2: Sift dry ingredients into a mixing bowl. 
​
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​Step 3: Add chilled butter to dry ingredients and cut in with pastry blender.     
 
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Cut the butter into the flour until the biggest chunks are about the size of small peas and the smallest chunks look like cornmeal. The variation in butter size is what gives the scones the layers.
​
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Step 4: Switching to fork, stir the buttermilk into the flour and butter mixture. Toss together gently, almost like folding egg whites. Your dough should be a 
shaggy mass, like this:
​
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Step 5: Turn dough onto a clean surface. (I’m using a pastry marble which helps 
to keep dough cold but a wooden board or smooth counter is fine.) Pat into a rough circle. Add a bit more flour if dough is sticking. 
​

​Step 6: Pat the dough about an inch thick and about 6 or 7 inches across. Using a large sharp knife (such as a chef’s knife) or preferably a bench scraper, cut into four quarters, then slice each quarter into three small wedges, making twelve mini scones.
 
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Step 7: Brush tops with cream or egg wash. Sprinkle with sugar, if desired.
​
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Step 8: Bake in a preheated 400 degree oven on parchment-lined baking sheet until scones are golden brown. Cool briefly on cooling rack and serve warm or at room temperature.
​
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​I hope these detailed photos help answer any scone questions you may have had. We at My Tea Planner offer several free scone recipes with which you can practice and expand your deepening scone skills. You can also search our website for recipes for scone toppings such as quick clotted cream, lemon curd, and various jams, chutneys, and preserves. 
Happy New Year!
3 Comments

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    Some random thoughts from Kathleen...

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  • Home
  • About/Blog
    • Who We Are
    • Our Credentials
    • Tea Travels - Rose's Blog
    • Cakes and Tea - Kathleen's Blog
    • Contact Us
  • The Tea Book
    • The Road Back to Civilization
    • A Brief History of Tea
    • Philosophy of Tea >
      • Harmony
      • Humility
      • Respect
      • Creativity
    • Guidelines for the Host/Hostess >
      • Gathering and Greeting
      • Sharing Stories
      • Sharing Food
      • Sending the Guests Home
    • Guidelines for the Guest >
      • Respect Your Hostess/Host
      • Bring a Gift if You Wish
      • Practice Humility
      • Monitor Your Conversation
      • Arrive with a Grateful Attitude
      • Help if Help is Needed
      • Do Not Criticize
      • Leave Gracefully
      • Send a Thank You Note
    • A Checklist for Planning a Tea Party
    • Teas of the World and How to Make Tea >
      • A Sampling of Teas
      • Herbal Teas and Tisanes
      • How to Make Tea
      • Making Iced Tea
      • Tea Concentrate
      • Brewing Tea for a Crowd
    • Tea Utensils and Accessories >
      • Tea Kettle
      • Tea Pot
      • Tea Cozy
      • Teacups
      • Plates
      • Silverware
      • Teacart
      • Tea Strainer
      • Tea Infuser
      • Three-Tiered Server
      • Cream Pitcher and Sugar Bowl
      • Cake Pedestal
      • Trifle Bowl
      • Jam Pots
      • Serving Dishes, Platters, and Trays
      • Silver Tea Set or Silver Tray
      • Linens
      • Kitchen Equipment for Food Preparation
    • Tea Menu Basics >
      • Sandwiches and Savories
      • Savory Spreads and Dips
      • Scones and Tea Breads >
        • About Lemons
    • Afternoon Tea and the Four Seasons >
      • A Spring Tea
      • An Outdoor Summer Tea
      • An Autumn Afternoon Tea
      • A Winter Afternoon Tea
    • A Calendar of Tea Parties >
      • January: A Japanese New Year’s Tea
      • February: A Valentine’s Day Tea
      • March: A St. Patrick’s Day Irish Tea
      • April: An Easter Tea
      • May: A Mother’s Day Tea
      • June: A Wedding Reception Tea >
        • Lemon Yogurt Wedding Cake
      • July: A Picnic Tea
      • August: A Family Reunion Tea >
        • A North American Family Reunion Tea
        • An Eastern Mediterranean Family Reunion Tea
        • A Kosher Family Reunion Tea
        • A Scandinavian Family Reunion Tea
      • September: An Ozark Farm Harvest Tea
      • October: A Tea to Honor Our Ancestors (Dia de los Muertos)
      • November: A Post Thanksgiving Tea
      • December: A Christmas Tea >
        • In Defense of Fruitcake: Fruitcakes and Candied Fruit
    • A World of Tea Parties >
      • A Chinese Dim Sum Tea
      • A Portuguese Tea
      • A Classic British Afternoon Tea
      • An Indian Chai Party
      • A California Tea
      • A Hawaiian Tea
      • An Italian Tea
      • An American Southern Tea
      • A Russian Tea
      • A French Afternoon Tea
      • A Kosher Tea with Tradional Jewish Foods
    • Afternoon Tea for Special Occasions >
      • An Afternoon Tea for Children
      • A Tea for Our Elders
      • A Honey Bee Tea in the Garden
      • An Urban Tea on the Go
      • Tea for One
      • Afternoon Tea for a Large Group
      • A Vegan Tea
      • A Rose Tea
  • Purchase Recipes
  • Resources
    • Bibliography and Resources
    • Menu and Recipe Index
    • Commercial Food Products
    • Glossary