CLASSIC SCONES

Classic Scones image

Traditional English scones are barely sweet - they are usually eaten with sweet jam and clotted cream - and they are lighter, flakier and tastier than their American counterparts. You can make the dough in the food processor (do not overprocess), but if you're willing to incorporate the butter by hand it is of course fine to do it in a bowl. You're looking for a slightly sticky but not messy dough; start with a half cup of cream and increase it as needed. Serve the baked scones warm, with the best jam you can lay your hands on, and a dollop of crème fraîche, mascarpone or, if you can find it, clotted cream.

Provided by Mark Bittman

Categories breakfast, brunch, easy, quick, side dish

Time 20m

Yield 8 to 10 scones

Number Of Ingredients 7

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Ingredients

2 cups cake flour, more as needed
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
3 tablespoons sugar
5 tablespoons cold butter, cut into pieces
1 egg
1/2 to 3/4 cup heavy cream, more for brushing

Steps:

Heat the oven to 450 degrees. Put the flour, salt, baking powder and 2 tablespoons of the sugar in a food processor and pulse to combine. Add the butter and pulse until the mixture resembles cornmeal.
Add the egg and just enough cream to form a slightly sticky dough. If it's too sticky, add a little flour, but very little; it should still stick a little to your hands.
Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead once or twice, then press it into a 3/4-inch-thick circle and cut into 2-inch rounds with a biscuit cutter or glass. Put the rounds on an ungreased baking sheet. Gently reshape the leftover dough and cut again. Brush the top of each scone with a bit of cream and sprinkle with a little of the remaining sugar.
Bake for 9 to 11 minutes, or until the scones are a beautiful golden brown. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 247, UnsaturatedFat 4 grams, Carbohydrate 29 grams, Fat 13 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 4 grams, SaturatedFat 8 grams, Sodium 151 milligrams, Sugar 5 grams, TransFat 0 grams