Classic English Scones are the essential British treat served with tea. Top with clotted cream and jam!
One of the first things I enjoy most when I land back on British soil is a lovely scone with clotted cream, jam, and pot of tea. Why it tastes better on home turf I do not know. I try and make scones at home as often as possible to get my fix and they’re always best straight from the oven.
I love all types of scones, but there are times where I just want it in its purest form with nothing added. Variations can be sweet or savory by adding currants or raisins, or cheese. Clotted cream is a must with sweet scones!
What is clotted cream, you ask? Yes, it is a very unappealing name but it is the creamiest cream made from the best Devon cows’ milk. In a nutshell, cream is cooked stovetop or oven until the cream “clots” and forms a thick layer on the top, and this is the goodness that is skimmed off and enjoyed on scones.
There are many theories that go into making the perfect scones; for instance when cutting out the circles out of the dough, don’t twist or they will rise crooked. I just make them how I’ve always done. Who wants a perfect scone that looks like it came from a factory? I want it to look rustic and homemade and that are as simple as possible.
There’s also a question of do you add jam first to the scone then the cream on top of that. Who cares? I like jam first, then the cream. Eat it how you want to!
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Classic English Scones Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1 tablespoon Baking Powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 5 tablespoons Unsalted Butter Frozen*
- 1/2 cup Buttermilk Room temperature, plus 1 teaspoon for brushing
- 2 Egg Room temperature
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Into a mixing bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, sugar, baking soda, and salt.
- Grate the butter into the flour and cut the butter into the flour with a butter knife until it forms large crumbles.
- In a separate bowl, whisk 1 egg into the buttermilk.
- Make a well in the center of the flour and add the egg /buttermilk liquid.
- Mix until the dough with a spoon until the dough comes together. It should be moist, but not be sticky. Add a touch more milk if it is too dry and not holding together.
- Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface.
- Shape out to about 3/4 inch thick. Do not work the dough too much and do not use a rolling pin.
- Using a non-fluted 2 1/2 inch cookie cutter, cut rounds. Dip the cutter into flour before each cut.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the rounds on the baking sheet, about 1/2 inch apart.
- Whisk the remaining egg with 1 teaspoon buttermilk and brush the tops of the scones.
- Bake for 15 minutes or until well risen and golden.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely on a wire rack covered with a towel to keep them moist.
- Serve with clotted cream and strawberry jam.
Notes
- This is to keep the butter as cold as possible so when it hits the hot oven it creates steam and makes the scones flaky.