Date Scones Food

DATE SCONES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, cinnamon.
• Add the grated frozen butter into the flour mixture, and work it in with your fingertips until it resembles wet sand, see post above for visuals. You can also use a pastry cutter, but I find hands easier!
• In a separate bowl mix together heavy cream, egg and vanilla. Add the wet ingredients and the chopped dates to the flour, and mix together until combined with a spatula or fork. You can give the dough a couple kneads with your hands, but don't overwork.
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and pat it into an 8 inch circle. Cut the circle into 8 wedges, and place onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Place the sheet with the dough on it into the fridge to rest for 15 minutes.
• While dough is resting, heat oven to 400 F (200C). Take scones out of the fridge, and brush the top of each with a little heavy cream, and optionally sprinkle with some coarse sugar. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until edges and top are a light golden brown.
• Serve warm, either plain or with some clotted cream and/or jam.

SCONES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 200C/390F (standard) or 180C/350F (fan / convection).
• Place flour in food processor, then butter. Blitz on high for 8 seconds until it resembles breadcrumbs.
• Pour milk all over the flour (don't pour in one place). Blitz for 6 to 8 seconds on high until the crumbs turn into ball(s).
• Transfer dough onto work surface, scrape out residual bits in the food processor.
• Knead lightly no more than 10 times just to bring the dough together into one smooth ball, then pat down into a 2 cm / 4/5" thick disc. Dust with extra flour if necessary (I don't need it).
• Optional: Lightly roll across the top with a rolling pin to smooth the top.
• Dip a 5 cm / 2" round cutter into Extra Flour.
• Plunge cutter straight down and back out into dough - do not twist. Repeat all over disc.
• Remove excess dough from around scones, then carefully transfer scones onto baking tray, taking care not to smear / press the cut sides. (Note 4)
• Gather together dough scraps and repeat. I get 10 scones in total.
• Brush tops lightly with milk. (Optional)
• Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the top is golden and it sounds hollow when tapped.
• Remove from oven, then transfer onto dish towel and wrap loosely (makes top soft).
• Once cooled to warm (10 - 15 minutes), serve warm.
• Tradition is to split the scone with hands (no knife!), slather with jam and dollop on cream.

DATE & ORANGE SCONES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 180 C.
• Place flour, sugar and rind in a bowl, combine.
• Add butter and rub in with finger tips till like breadcrumbs.
• Stir through dates.
• Make a well in the centre and pour in milk.
• Using a knife,mix milk into flour until just combined.
• Put onto lightly floured board and gently bring the dough together.
• Roll out till 2mm thick, using cutter cut into 16 rounds.
• Place scones on baking tray.
• Brush with milk, sprinkle with raw sugar.
• Bake 20 minutes.
• Serve with butter.

SCONES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease a baking sheet.
• In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut in butter. Mix the egg and milk in a small bowl, and stir into flour mixture until moistened.
• Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead briefly. Roll dough out into a 1/2 inch thick round. Cut into 8 wedges, and place on the prepared baking sheet.
• Bake 15 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden brown.

CINNAMON DATE SCONES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the flour, 2 tablespoons sugar, baking powder and salt. Cut in butter until the mixture resembles fine crumbs. Stir in dates. Combine eggs and milk; stir into crumb mixture just until blended (dough will be soft)., Turn onto a lightly floured surface. Gently knead dough 10 times. Pat into a 9-in. x 6-in. rectangle. Using a floured knife, cut into six 3-in. squares; cut each square diagonally in half., Place on a greased baking sheet. Combine the cinnamon and remaining sugar; sprinkle over scones. , Bake at 400° for 12-14 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to a wire rack. Serve warm.

BACON AND DATES SCONES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°f. Line baking sheet with parchment paper. Cook bacon in heavy large skillet over medium heat until cooked through but still tender and not crisp, turning occasionally. Transfer bacon to paper towels to drain; cool. Pour bacon drippings from skillet into small heatproof bowl and reserve.
• Whisk flour, 1/2 cup sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in large bowl. Coarsely chop cooled bacon. Add bacon and dates to flour mixture; toss to coat. Coarsely grate butter into flour mixture. Using fork, stir in butter. Add buttermilk; stir until large moist clumps form. Using hands, knead mixture briefly in bowl until dough forms.
• Transfer dough to floured work surface. Pat into 8-inch round. Cut into 8 wedges. Transfer scones to sheet. Cover and chill scones 2 hours. Brush with reserved bacon drippings. Sprinkle with raw sugar.
• Bake scones until golden brown and tester inserted into center of scones comes out clean, 16 to 18 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature. DO AHEAD: Can be made 8 hours ahead. Cool completely; store airtight at room temperature.