Introduction
One of the most popular baked goods of the traditional British cuisine is English scones. These are soft and slightly crumbly pastries, which are served on afternoon tea, and are eaten with jam and clotted cream. Because of these scones have been a symbol of the British tea culture and hospitality.
The English scones are not too sweet unlike most sweet pastries. Rather they provide a mild taste that can be served with fruit preserves, butter, or cream. As a result, they may be taken in the form of a light snack, as well as a sweet dessert.
Scones have traditionally been served warm soon after being baked. Moreover, they are normally divided into half and topped with strawberry jam and clotted cream. This is an old-fashioned mix that brings a perfect balance of sweetness and richness.
You will be taught in this guide how to cook authentic English scones at home using the traditional methods of baking and using the simple ingredients.
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History of English Scones
The history of scones can be traced back to several centuries. Scones were originally and still are prepared in Scotland with oats and cooked on a flat griddle, not in an oven. Yet, the recipe was changed with time, when the wheat flour gained more popularity.
Eventually, scones gained popularity in England particularly in the nineteenth century. Afternoons tea, in the meantime, started in the Victorian days. Consequently, scones turned into the main element of the afternoon tea ritual.
The Duchess of Bedford who is Anna introduced afternoon tea. During the afternoon she started with light refreshments, such as tea, cakes, and scones. Accordingly, the practice became quickly widespread in the British society.
English scones are a necessary element of tea culture in the United Kingdom today. They are served in tea rooms, bakeries and houses around the country.
English Scone ingredients
English scones have few ingredients needed and yet each of the ingredients is significant in attaining the desired texture.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 5 tablespoons cold butter
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional ingredients:
- Raisins or currants
- Lemon zest
- Extra sugar for topping
These ingredients form slightly crumbly soft scones which are ideal to serve with tea.
Preparing the Dough
Preheat the oven to 200degC (400 deg F) and line a baking tray with parchment paper first. In the meantime, add flour, baking powder, sugar and salt in a large mixing bowl. Gently mix the ingredients so as to blend them.
Thereafter add cold butter in small cubes. To incorporate butter into the flour mixture use your fingers or pastry cutter to mix. The mixture is supposed to look coarse breadcrumbs eventually.
This is necessary since it is the small bits of butter that provide the flakey texture of the scones. Whisk in another bowl, milk, egg and vanilla extract. Then pour in the liquid mixture gradually in the flour mixture stirring slowly. The dough would stick together to form a soft sticky consistency.
Shaping the Scones
Put the dough in a surface covered with a light amount of flour. Then knead the dough softly once in a minute. Nevertheless, do not work it too much since it can overdo the kneading and make dense scones.
With your hands or rolling pin, roll the dough to the thickness of about 2 centimeters. At this point cut circular scones out of the dough using a round cutter or glass. Put the scones on the baking tray that has been prepared and leave small gaps between them.
Furthermore, brush the tops with milk so that they have a golden color when they are baking.
Baking the Scones
Put the baking tray into the already heated oven. The scones will take 12-15 minutes to cook. When baking, the scones are expected to rise and get brown on the top.
After baking take them out of the oven and leave them to cool down a bit. The scones are however best eaten whilst still hot.
Selling Traditional English Scones
Old English scones are usually accompanied by a strawberry jam and clotted cream. To begin with slice the scone half horizontally. Then pour on a layer of jam on the lower half. Then pour on top a spoonful of clotted cream.
In England there are other areas that like the cream to be spread, followed by jam. At the same time, there are those that favour the other way round.
Both varieties are tasty whether one is made using a particular technique. Scones are commonly accompanied by hot tea and as such they are ideal in tea parties during the afternoon.
Tips for Perfect Scones
Cold butter should be used to produce a flaky texture. The dough must be managed with care so as to avoid hard scones. Immediately the scones are shaped, they are baked.
New baking powder is to be used to achieve proper rising. The scones are best eaten with warmness. Such minor steps can ensure that the end result can be significantly better.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Excessive mixing of the dough may make scones dense. The warm butter can be used to make sure that the scones are not flaky. Excess flour could result in the dough becoming dry.
Baking low temperature will lower the scones rise. Hence pastries are made light and fluffy through proper preparation.
Conclusion
English scones are a typical pastry, which symbolizes the British tea culture. They are soft in texture and their taste is very subtle, so they are suitable to be served on afternoon tea or as a light dessert.
The ingredients of the recipe remain relatively simple, but the right technique guarantees a tasty outcome. Through cold butter, gentle mixing, and appropriate temperature of baking, you are able to make genuine scones in your home.
Being ready to receive guests or some members of the family, homemade English scones will always make the table very warm and comfortable.