How To Make The Perfect Scone Recipe UK Based?

Many people describe scones as smoother than an English muffin, heavier than a muffin, and thicker than a flatbread. They are also richer than ordinary biscuits because they contain more fat, such as butter, and more sugar if added. Their flavour also differs from biscuits because they often have raisins, cranberries, blueberries, or pieces of apples, apricots or cherries. You should serve them freshly baked, warm from the oven, with butter, lemon curd, cream, honey and jam. People in the UK traditionally serve scones at English TeaTime.

So if you're raring to get your hands on the perfect scone recipe UK based, be sure to read the rest of this guide.

Cut your butter into cubes

To make the perfect scone recipe UK based, ensure to cut the butter vertically and horizontally. This will give you four small sticks of butter. Cut these sticks into cubes and make sure they are cold.

Use less sugar or milk when adding fruits

Be sure to drain your fruit very well. If you are using frozen fruit don't thaw it out before you mix it into your batter. Make sure to add the mixture less sugar when you add ingredients that are already sweet, like chocolates and fruits. If you're using a simple scone recipe UK based with ingredients like canned pumpkin or mashed banana, use less buttermilk than you would typically use.

Avoid using a food processor to mix scones

It would be best to use a pastry cutter than a food processor when using a simple scone recipe UK based. Just press it into the mixture, cutting the butter as you go and wiping the cutter clean of dough with your hand as needed.

Freeze the dough but don't microwave

Put your dough in a plastic bag when it becomes crumbly, and then freeze it. When you're ready to bake the dough, thaw it out, but do not microwave it (as microwaving it will compromise its texture). This is an excellent way to prepare scones for busy holidays and large events.

Add the butter first

Putting in the butter first is essential when using a plain scones recipe UK based. This ensures even distribution of the butter and the creation of some of those buttery pockets. Make a sticky, wettish dough. It will make for a better rise.

Add enough baking powder or baking soda

A plain scones recipe UK based includes baking powder for puffing purposes and baking soda if you'll put in something sour into the mixture.  Rise mostly comes from added baking powder or baking soda. They provide just that extra boost of lightness by puffing up the scone as a whole in the oven. Remember that baking soda only works well if there's some other form of acid in the recipe. It works well with buttermilk scones, for instance.

Add right amount of liquid

Pour milk until all the ingredients come together to form a dough. It's better if it's just a little sticky and wet, giving the dough some flexibility to rise. The liquid that you add after adding the butter is required to keep the whole dough together. If there's not enough water to keep the dough together, it will fall apart too quickly, and it will be tough to bring it all together.

Little salt and sugar

It won't hurt if you'll add a touch of sugar and salt to the taste. Aside from providing sweetness, the sugar also helps to brown the scone more quickly in the oven.

Don't over mix

When it comes to mixing, make sure not to overdo it.  Mix until the dough comes together. And although the food processor can help keep the temperature down, it's easy to over-mix, so use a pastry instead. It should be lumpy similar to a pancake batter.

Use pastry flour

Using pastry flour can make your scones light. All-purpose plus pastry flour also works, but don't omit the pastry flour.

Chill them before baking

Always chill your scones before you bake them. You can use that time to preheat the oven, so the kitchen doesn't heat up while you make the dough. Chilling is essential because it ensures that the gluten relaxes, making the scones tender. It also cools the butter down again, which is how you'll get that flaky texture.

Spacing

Spacing is essential when placing the cut dough into the baking tray. Keep them cosy. If you're baking round scones, you can try baking them like cinnamon rolls, where they're touching, which will give you nice, soft sides.

Using the steps to a classic scone recipe UK based listed above, you are on your way to mastering the art of baking this well-loved English afternoon treat. If you're wondering what the ideal shape these scones should come in, you can explore making several batches and see for yourself! The best shape for a scone would be dependent on whether you are making a sweet or savoury snack.