Cherry Scones - How To Make Cherry Scones
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It is thought that the name comes from the Stone of Destiny (or Scone). Scottish kings have been crowned upon this stone for more than a thousand years. The present British Queen Elizabeth II was crowned on the Stone in 1953. The original version of scones was made with oats and griddle baked. Today they are flour-based and baked in the oven and come in various shapes (triangles, rounds, squares, and diamonds). Cherry Scones
2 cups all-purpose
flour
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1/2 cup whipping cream 1/2 cup fresh or frozen pitted sour cherries, drained 1 egg, beaten Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly spray a large baking sheet with vegetable-oil cooking spray.
In a large bowl, combine flour, 1/3 cup sugar, baking powder, and salt. With a pastry blender or two knives, cut butter into flour mixture until particles are the size of small peas; stir in dates. Add
1 egg, vanilla extract, and whipping cream; stir just until mixed.
NOTE: When making scones, work the dough quickly and do not over mix.
On a lightly floured surface, knead dough gently. Pat or roll out the dough into
a circle 1/2-inch thick. To make wedge-shaped scones, cut into 8 pieces. Use an
1 1/2-inch diameter cookie cutter to cut out center of circle. separate each
section. Place wedges 1 1/2 inches apart onto prepared baking sheet.
Make a small indentation in the center of each scone. Place approximately 1
tablespoon cherries in the indentation. Brush scones (except for the cherries),
with the beaten egg; sprinkle with 2 tablespoons sugar.
Bake 15 to 18 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and serve warm.
Yields 8 scones.
Freezing baked scones:
When the scones are cool, wrap airtight and hold at room temperature for up to
one day or freeze to store longer. To reheat, unwrap scones (thaw wrapped, if
frozen) and place onto a baking sheet. Bake in a 350 degrees oven 8 to 10
minutes or until warm.
Freezing unbaked scones:
When the dough is made and patted into circles or cut into 8 wedges/circle, place on a cookie sheet and place, uncovered in the freezer. It will take about an
hour for the dough to freeze firm. Once the dough is firm, put frozen scones
into a zip-lock bag and return them to the freezer. When you are ready to
bake the scones, simply take out as many as you want to bake and let them sit on the kitchen
counter on aluminum foil or parchment paper while you preheat the oven. They
should only be allowed to thaw as long as it takes the oven to preheat.
Once the oven is preheated, place the scones onto a fresh sheet of aluminum
paper or parchment paper
and bake. It will be necessary to extend the baking time by a few minutes (it
could easily add up to 4 to 5 minutes to the
baking time—just add it in 2 minute increments until you are sure of your
times).
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Scones are
best served warm and fresh, split open, and topped with either lemon curd or
thick homemade jam and clotted cream (Devonshire cream or creme fraiche).