LUCY BURDETTE: Today is a day to celebrate the trade paperback release of The Key Lime Crime! And to give the day some special oomph, I will be giving away a copy of the trade paper edition. But, alas, I am not in the key lime pie baking season, I am in the scone baking season. And that is just as good because A Scone of Contention (#11 in the Key West series) will be published on August 10.
Today’s recipe is a traditional basic scone that I found at King Arthur baking. I cut the recipe in half, and reduced the salt as usual, and also froze and grated the butter before blending it into the dry mixture. We tried these scones two ways, first with butter and homemade raspberry jam from my friend Annette, and second as the basis for strawberry shortcake. I can recommend both without reservation!
Ingredients
One and 3/8 cup all purpose flour
1/6 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, frozen
One large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup milk
Whisk together the dry ingredients. Now take the butter out of the freezer and grate it. Mix it in with the dry ingredients.
Beat the egg and combine it with the milk and vanilla. Fold this in to the butter flour mixture. Mix this gently until it holds together, adding a tiny amount of milk if it seems to dry.
Turn the dough out onto a piece of parchment paper and pat it into a circle. Cut the circle into six pieces. Brush the tops of the scones with a bit more milk and sprinkle with coarse sugar.
While the oven is heating to 425, freeze your tray of scones up to half an hour. Bake the scones for 18 to 22 minutes, taking care not to over brown the tops and sides.
Serve hot with butter and jam. Or serve room temperature with sliced strawberries and whipped cream. Or try it both ways!
Leave a comment about the best or worst scones you've ever eaten to be entered in the drawing. And don't forget to order your copies of THE KEY LIME CRIME and preorder A SCONE OF CONTENTION. And ps, the ebook edition of THE KEY LIME CRIME is on sale for $2.99!
Delicious! The last scones I made were near-bricks. I'll just dream about yours, instead.
ReplyDeleteLack of a light hand in the mixing? Old leavening products?
DeleteMy Aunt made the best gingerbread scones. So much flavor!
ReplyDeleteMy Aunt made the best gingerbread scones. So much flavor!
ReplyDeletethat sounds amazing! Maybe for Christmas??
DeleteThe best scone I have had was at Hobsons Patisseries in Stratford-upon-Avon. They put a foot of clotted cream in the middle.
ReplyDeleteKitten143 (at) Verizon (dot) net
There is a Bakery down here that makes delicious scones! Kkcochran (at) hotmail (dot) com
ReplyDeleteThe very best scone which was delectable I experienced many years ago at The Empress Hotel in Victoria, B.C. A real tea which was memorable and special. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteThe best scones I ever ate were the ones served with the cream tea at the Royal Crescent Hotel in Bath, England. There is nothing more wonderful than a warm scone with clotted cream and strawberry jam ~
ReplyDeletebobandcelia(at)sbcglobal(dot)net
DeleteThe best scone I’ve ever had was a butter pecan scone while waiting at a spa for a pedicure. I begged for the recipe and was absolutely stunned to see that it began with a base of Duncan Hines butter pecan cake mix!
ReplyDelete(LauraAli317(at)gmail(dot)com
that would shock me too--they sound so wonderful! I will have to work on a recipe from scratch:)
DeleteAn extremely talented baker friend made me scones which I requested for my birthday. They were wonderful especially the lemon ones which were my favorite of all. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteHow lucky to have such a friend!
DeleteHm, thought I'd written a comment.
ReplyDeleteScones are wonderful things to eat.
And that raspberry jam is to die for!
It's homemade and it brings everything to a new level, even PB&J!
DeleteI love scones, but I’m still trying to get the hang of high altitude baking. Nothing I bake turns out well anymore, despite following high altitude adjustments. There has to be a decent scone bakery in the area!
ReplyDeleteLove orange scones😍
ReplyDeleteHaven't tried them but orange scones sounds delicious.
ReplyDeleteterry0743@aol.com
I will try the freezing the butter and grating it. I am still trying to find a recipe for a light, melt-in-your-mouth scone. I agree with "petite" - I love lemon.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I've ever had a really good Scone. Don't see them around here all that much. These look amazing and I can't wait to try making them.
ReplyDeletediannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
I usually make mine. My favorites to make are a pumpkin spice and chocolate chocolate chip. So good!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance!!!
jarjm1980(at)hotmail(dot)com
You're welcome!
DeleteI've eaten some really good ones in various tea shops in several states, especially while out shopping with my late m-i-l. I then tried different recipes, including from Cook's Illustrated/ATK, with some success and also had my share of making 'briquettes'! One of the best batches I made came from a box of K.A. cranberry orange mix, that I was gifted with one Xmas by a dear friend. I've tried their recipes and many others, including savory ones, and I'm getting better at it when I remember the tips of COLD butter, a light hand, and not overbaking. Oh, several of my oopsie but still edible ones were saved by just the piling on of butter or clotted or whipped cream or mascarpone and berry jams, and I've even used pepper jelly to smear on top! Love trying the recipes here at MLK! Thanks, and congrats! lola777-22 at hotmail dot com
ReplyDeleteCranberry orange sounds good! And I could imagine pepper jelly on a plain scone--yum!
DeleteI actually don't think I've had a scone. It's not something you really see here, and on the odd chance you did they're usually pretty dry and hard looking. I've thought of making my own to try so I'll have to give this recipe a shot. Thanks!
ReplyDeletekozo8989(at)hotmail(dot)com
Hope it turns out well Alicia!
DeleteWelcome today. I went to a friends house and she made scones for the first time. The edges/top/bottom were very good. But the inside was a bit doughy. LOL We had a great time anyway. I had another friend from England and she made scones that she served with home made marmalade. I dont like marmalade but it wasnt bad. The scones were to die for. Oh my goodness. I was given the recipe and they just dont turn out the same. I guess I will have to go to England and visit her. YES
ReplyDeletequilting dash lady at comcast dot net
Yes, a visit is in order!
DeleteI love scones. Pumpkin and sweet potato are my favorites.
ReplyDeleteNow I have a list of new flavors to try!
DeleteBest scone was a raspberry scone I had at a local tea shop. Thanks for the chance!
ReplyDeleteJess
maceoindo(at)yahoo(dot)com
sounds yummy!
DeleteThe best scone I have eaten is a memory likely flavored by the camaraderie of the group of friends I was with. We informally took turns each month to show home cooking recipes from our cultural backgrounds. The British friend who taught us how to make scones amazed us with exactly how little to work the mixture in order to make the scones the correct texture. She served them with homemade strawberry jam. It was a real treat with a cup of Earl Grey tea and a good natter.
ReplyDeleteLittle lamb lst at yahoo dot com
What fun Lil, and such a good lesson!
DeleteBest scone I have ever had was a raspberry and white chocolate one I bought. I have never been able to make one that tender. cherierj(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI'm no good at making scones so I end up buying them when I can find them. I've only seen vanilla ones lately, but they're pretty good.
ReplyDeletewskwared(at)yahoo(dot)com
The worst scone I have ever had was a blueberry scone I had picked up because it looked so good. Well, sadly I could have bought more and built a rock solid house. My favorite is a salted caramel that I had at a farm market bakery. Love them with my favorite flavored tea.
ReplyDeletelindalou64(@)live(DOT) com
Salted caramel sounds amazing!
DeleteCongratulations on your release, Lucy! Looking forward to reading it.
ReplyDeletethanks Tina!
DeleteThe best scone I have eaten was a Blueberry one my neighbor made and she is not sharing the recipe. I tried to make some. Mine always turn out hard as a rock. 1cow0993(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteOh no, she won't share???
DeleteNever made scones but this recipe sounds delicious!
ReplyDeleteI can't remember ever eating cones! I would love to win your book though! lindaherold999@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteBest scones I ever had were at a B&B in County Cork, Ireland on a beautifully sunny August morning! I would love to win your book!
ReplyDelete