Description
Ina Garten’s raisin scones bring classic British bakery charm to morning tables. Delicate pastry combines rich butter, sweet raisins, and simple ingredients for a luxurious breakfast you’ll savor with morning coffee or afternoon tea.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups (960 ml) flour
- ¾ lb (340 g) cold unsalted butter, diced
- 4 eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 cup (240 ml) cold heavy cream
- ¾ cup (120 g) raisins
- 2 tbsps sugar
- 2 tbsps baking powder
- 2 tsps kosher salt
- 1 tbsp flour
- 1 extra-large egg beaten with 2 tbsps milk or water
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set the oven to 400°F (200°C), preparing a perfectly calibrated baking environment for golden, flaky scones.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Sift flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl, ensuring a uniform blend of dry components that will create a consistent texture.
- Integrate Butter: Using a stand mixer, cut cold butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse, pea-sized crumbs, which will ultimately contribute to the scones’ signature flakiness.
- Prepare Wet Mixture: Whisk eggs and heavy cream together, then gently incorporate into the dry ingredients. Mix minimally to prevent overworking the dough and maintaining a tender crumb.
- Incorporate Raisins: Lightly dust raisins with flour, then fold into the dough with delicate strokes, distributing them evenly without disrupting the dough’s delicate structure.
- Shape Scones: Transfer dough to a floured surface, knead briefly, then roll to 3/4-inch thickness. Cut into precise triangular shapes, ensuring uniform size for consistent baking.
- Prepare for Baking: Arrange scones on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them to allow for even browning and proper expansion during the baking process.
- Finish and Bake: Brush scone tops with an egg wash to create a lustrous, golden-brown exterior. Bake for 20-25 minutes, monitoring carefully until they reach a rich, warm brown color with a crisp exterior and tender center.
Notes
- Prevent Raisin Sinking: Toss raisins in flour before adding to prevent them from dropping to the bottom of the scones, ensuring an even distribution of fruit in every bite.
- Handle Dough Gently: Mix ingredients minimally to maintain a tender, flaky texture. Overmixing develops gluten, resulting in tough, dense scones that lack the desired light crumb.
- Butter Temperature Matters: Use cold, diced butter and work quickly to create pea-sized crumbs. This technique guarantees the signature flaky layers that make these scones irresistibly delicious.
- Egg Wash Trick: Brush scone tops with egg wash for a beautiful golden-brown finish that adds shine and enhances the overall visual appeal of your homemade treat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 11
- Calories: 493
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 310 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 41 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 118 mg