Magic Scones Food

CRUMBLIEST SCONES

Steps:

• First and foremost, brilliant scones are about having the confidence to do as little as possible, so do what I say and they'll be really great; and the second and third time you make them you'll get the dough into a solid mass even quicker, even better.
• Put the dried fruit into a bowl and pour over just enough orange juice to cover. Ideally, leave it for a couple of hours. Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/gas 6.
• Put your butter, flour, baking powder, sugar and a good pinch of sea salt into a mixing bowl and use your thumbs and forefingers to break up the butter and rub it into the flour so you get little cornflake-sized pieces. Make a well in the middle of the dough, add the eggs and milk, and stir it up with a spatula.
• Drain your soaked fruit and add that to the mixture. Add a tiny splash of milk if needed, until you have a soft, dry dough. Move it around as little as possible to get it looking like a scruffy mass - at this point, you're done. Sprinkle over some flour, cover the bowl with clingfilm and pop it into the fridge for 15 minutes.
• Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface until it's about 2 to 3cm thick. With a 6cm round cutter or the rim of a glass, cut out circles from the dough and place them upside down on a baking sheet - they will rise better that way (so they say). Re-roll any offcuts to use up the dough.
• Brush the top of each scone with the extra milk or some melted butter and bake in the oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until risen and golden. At that point, take them out of the oven and leave them to cool down a little.
• Serve with clotted cream and a little jam or lemon curd.

THE BEST SCONES

Steps:

• Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Whisk the cream, egg and milk powder in a liquid measuring cup. Pulse the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder and salt in a food processor until combined. Add the butter and pulse only until pea-size pieces remain. Transfer to a large bowl and make a well in the center. Pour the wet ingredients into the well and mix with a fork, incorporating the dry ingredients a little at a time until a shaggy dough forms (it's okay if the dough looks a little dry, just don't overwork it). Lightly knead the dough in the bowl until it just comes together.
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and pat into a 1-inch-thick rectangle (about 9 by 7 inches). Cut in half lengthwise, then cut in half again crosswise; you should have 4 equal rectangles. Cut each piece in half from corner to corner making 8 triangular wedges. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet and freeze for 10 minutes.
• Brush the tops with cream and sprinkle with demerara sugar. Bake the scones until golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes, and then transfer to a wire rack to cool for 15 more minutes. Serve warm with softened butter and jam.

MAPLE-PECAN SCONES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl, stir together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder and salt.
• Cut the cold butter into small pieces. Cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles crumbs.
• Now finely chop the pecans and stir them into the flour mixture. Mix the egg and cream together. Add the mixture to the bowl and stir until just combined.
• Turn the mixture onto a cutting board. The dough will be very crumbly, but do not let your heart be troubled. With your hands, push the mixture together into a large ball. Do not knead or press too much; you want to leave that gluten alone!
• With a rolling pin, very gently roll out the dough into a 10-inch round, about 3/4 inch thick. With a sharp knife, cut the round into 8 equal-size wedges.
• Transfer the wedges to a baking sheet lined with a Silpat baking mat. (Or just spray the pan with cooking spray; either one will work!) Bake the scones for 22 to 26 minutes, until they're just barely starting to brown. Do not allow the edges to become dark or the Red Coats will come and get you. Allow the scones to cool completely before icing.
• In a medium mixing bowl, stir the icing ingredients until smooth. Pour generously over the scones and sprinkle with pecans. Allow the icing to set before serving.

MAGIC SCONES

Steps:

• Preheat over to 350 degrees.
• Combine all the ingredients and mix well until it is very difficult to stir.
• Place dough onto a very well floured surface and knead it.
• Roll the dough (dusting with more flour) 1 to 1.5 cm thickness.
• Use a cup or cookie cutter in the size you want the scones, and place on a tray lined with parchment paper.
• Leave in to cook for 25-30 minutes or until puffed up and delicious looking!

CANADIAN MAPLE SCONES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spread walnuts onto a baking sheet.
• Toast walnuts in the preheated oven until nuts turn golden brown and become fragrant, about 5 minutes. Watch carefully; nuts can burn quickly. Set aside to cool to room temperature.
• Increase oven temperature to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Place 3 tablespoons flour, 3 tablespoons brown sugar, and 1/2 cup cooled walnuts in a small bowl. Cut in 2 tablespoons butter using two knives or a pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
• Whisk together 2 cups flour, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut in 1/2 cup butter using two knives or a pastry blender until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Stir in remaining 1/2 cup walnuts.
• Whisk together 1/3 cup maple syrup and egg in a small bowl; stir into flour mixture. Gradually stir in just enough milk for the dough to leave the sides of the bowl and form a ball.
• Place dough on a lightly floured surface. Roll gently in flour to coat; knead lightly about 10 times. Pat into an 8-inch circle on an ungreased baking sheet. Brush with milk; sprinkle evenly with topping. Score dough circle into 8 wedges with a knife, but do not separate wedges.
• Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 15 minutes. Remove immediately from the baking sheet, and separate the scones. Serve warm with whipped cream and maple syrup.