Description
Delightful Irish scones blend traditional Irish baking with simple, hearty ingredients that bring comfort to morning tables. Warm butter and fresh cream create a tender crumb that invites you to savor each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups (480 g) all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup (170 g) cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
- 1 cup (240 ml) cold whole milk (or buttermilk)
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 cup raisins or currants (optional)
- ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- 2 tbsps baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 egg, beaten with 1 tbsp milk
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Preheat the oven to 400F (200C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper, creating an optimal cooking environment for golden, flaky scones.
- Dry Ingredient Fusion: Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl, whisking thoroughly to establish a uniform dry foundation that ensures consistent texture and flavor.
- Butter Integration: Introduce cold, cubed butter into the dry mixture, using a pastry cutter or fingertips to break down the butter until the texture resembles coarse, sandy crumbs that will provide rich, buttery layers.
- Liquid Incorporation: Whisk milk and eggs in a separate bowl, then create a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Gently fold the wet mixture into the dry components, mixing until a soft, cohesive dough forms without overmixing.
- Flavor Enhancement: Fold raisins or currants into the dough, distributing them evenly to guarantee a delightful burst of sweetness in every bite.
- Dough Shaping: Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface, knead briefly to achieve a smooth consistency, then shape into a circular disc approximately one inch thick, preparing for precise cutting.
- Scone Formation and Finishing: Use a round biscuit cutter to shape individual scones, placing them on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the tops with egg wash to create a glossy, golden-brown exterior that promises a delectable crunch.
- Baking Process: Bake for 15-20 minutes until the scones develop a rich, warm coloration and achieve a perfectly crisp exterior, signaling their readiness to be enjoyed.
Notes
- Chill Butter Thoroughly: Keep butter extremely cold to create flaky, tender scone texture; freeze for 10-15 minutes before cutting into cubes for optimal results.
- Handle Dough Minimally: Avoid overworking the dough to prevent tough, dense scones; mix just until ingredients combine to maintain a light, delicate crumb.
- Control Moisture Carefully: Add liquid incrementally to achieve perfect dough consistency; too much liquid creates sticky dough, while too little results in dry scones.
- Customize Flavor Creatively: Experiment with mix-ins like orange zest, lavender, chocolate chips, or nuts to transform classic scone recipe and suit personal taste preferences.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Irish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 242
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 113 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg