Ina Garten’s English Cream Scones Recipe for a Lovely Teatime Treat

These English cream scones whisper tales of british culinary heritage with their delicate, buttery essence.

Traditional baking techniques transform simple ingredients into something magical and irresistible.

Soft, tender textures combine with rich dairy notes that dance across your palate.

Subtle sweetness melds perfectly with crumbly, golden-brown exteriors that promise comfort in every bite.

Elegant yet approachable, these scones represent a classic morning indulgence that feels both refined and welcoming.

Bakers of all skill levels can successfully craft these delightful pastries with minimal kitchen expertise.

The aroma alone will draw hungry friends and family toward your kitchen with anticipation:

Bake English Cream Scones the Ina Garten Way

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 400°F (200°C). Grab two baking sheets and line them with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

Step 2: Create the Dry Base

• Flour
• Sugar
• Baking powder
• Salt

Drop in chilled butter chunks and mix on low until the butter looks like tiny pebbles.

Step 3: Merge Liquid Magic

• Eggs
• Heavy cream

Gently pour this creamy mixture into the flour blend, stirring just until everything comes together.

Step 4: Sprinkle in Sweet Bursts

Toss currants with a light dusting of flour, then fold them into the dough with quick, gentle movements.

Step 5: Shape and Craft

Dump the dough onto a flour-covered surface. Knead briefly, keeping those buttery lumps intact. Pat into a circle and roll out to about 3/4 inch thick. Use a round cutter to create beautiful scone circles.

Step 6: Prepare for Golden Perfection

Brush scone tops with egg wash and dust with a sprinkle of sugar. Slide into the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until they turn a gorgeous golden brown.

Step 7: Serve with Flair

Pull out the scones while they’re warm. Serve alongside clotted cream and strawberry rhubarb preserves for a truly decadent treat.

Top Tips for Fluffy, Buttery Scones

• Chill Out: Refrigerate ingredients like butter and cream to keep them cold, ensuring your scones rise beautifully and maintain a light, flaky texture.
• Gentle Mixing Magic: Stir the dough minimally to avoid developing gluten, which can make scones dense and chewy instead of tender.
• Dust Like a Pro: Generously sprinkle flour on your countertop and rolling pin to prevent sticky dough disasters and make shaping a breeze.
• Sharp Cutter Technique: Use a clean, straight-edged cutter to slice through the dough in one swift motion, promoting even rising and picture-perfect scones.
• Golden Finish Trick: Brush the tops with egg wash and sprinkle sugar for a stunning, crisp exterior that looks and tastes bakery-fresh.

Keep Those Scones Fresh After Baking

• Freezing: Preserve scones perfectly by wrapping each one individually in plastic wrap, then placing them in a labeled freezer bag. Lock in freshness for up to 4 months, ensuring a delightful treat is always within reach. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for the best quality and texture.
• Refrigeration: Seal cooled scones in an airtight container to maintain their delicate crumb and flavor. Consume within 2 days for optimal taste and texture. Keep them away from strong-smelling foods to prevent flavor absorption.
• Reheating: Restore scones to their original glory by warming them in a preheated 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes. Revive their crisp exterior and soft interior, creating an almost-fresh-from-the-oven experience.

Try a New Take on Classic English Scones

• Zesty Citrus Splash: Replace currants with lemon or orange zest, adding a bright, tangy flavor to the classic scone recipe. Sprinkle additional citrus zest on top before baking for an extra aromatic punch.
• Chocolate Chip Dream: Swap currants for semi-sweet chocolate chips, creating a decadent morning treat. Dust the finished scones with powdered sugar for an elegant touch.
• Nutty Harvest Edition: Fold in chopped toasted almonds or pecans instead of currants, bringing a rich, earthy crunch to the scones. Drizzle with maple glaze after baking for added sweetness.
• Lavender Honey Infusion: Mix dried culinary lavender into the dough and replace sugar with honey for a sophisticated, floral-inspired version. Brush with honey glaze after baking to enhance the delicate flavor profile.

Cream Scone Conclusion Worth Toasting

Culinary magic emerges from Ina Garten’s English cream scones, where classic techniques meet sophisticated flavors.

Delicate butter pockets create irresistible flaky layers that melt on the palate.

Golden-edged rounds showcase the perfect balance between crisp exterior and tender interior.

Currants scattered throughout provide delightful bursts of sweet complexity.

Complex yet approachable, these scones invite passionate bakers into a world of elegant British baking traditions.

Passionate scone enthusiasts can elevate their baking skills by mastering this divine recipe – so go forth, create, share your masterpiece, inspire fellow bakers with your culinary prowess, and spread deliciousness through each crumbly, buttery bite.

Why English Cream Scones by Ina Feel So Luxurious

• Unleash Classic British Elegance: These English cream scones capture the quintessential charm of traditional British baking with a luxurious Ina Garten twist that elevates the classic recipe.
• Luxurious Texture Magic: The combination of heavy cream and butter creates incredibly tender, melt-in-your-mouth scones with a delicate crumb that breaks apart beautifully, promising a rich and indulgent eating experience.
• Quick Gourmet Breakfast Solution: This recipe transforms simple ingredients into an elegant breakfast or afternoon tea treat in just 30 minutes, making sophisticated baking accessible for home cooks of all skill levels.
• Customizable Culinary Canvas: The basic recipe allows endless variations by swapping currants with other dried fruits, nuts, or chocolate chips, giving bakers creative freedom to personalize their scones to personal taste preferences.

Ingredients Needed for Creamy Scones

• Flour: All-purpose flour with fine texture, essential for creating tender and light scone base.
• Sugar: Adds subtle sweetness and helps with golden brown exterior.
• Baking Powder: Provides necessary lift and creates soft, fluffy texture.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

• Butter: Cold and unsalted, creates flaky layers and rich flavor.
• Heavy Cream: Provides moisture and richness, contributes to scone's tender crumb.
• Eggs: Binding agent that adds structure and helps with golden color.

• Dried Currants: Small, sweet dried fruit that adds delightful bursts of flavor and texture.
• Extra Sugar: For sprinkling on top, creates a crisp, sweet crust.

Ina Garten English Cream Scones Recipe

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• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Golden, buttery English cream scones bring British bakery charm to breakfast tables. Rich cream and delicate texture invite morning indulgence with classic elegance you’ll savor in each tender, flaky bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 4 cups (500 g) all-purpose flour
• ¾ pound (340 g) cold unsalted butter
• 4 extra-large eggs
• 1 cup (240 ml) cold heavy cream

Dry Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons (25 g) sugar
• 2 tablespoons (30 g) baking powder
• 4 teaspoons kosher salt
• ¾ cup (100 g) dried currants

Finishing Ingredients:

• 1 egg (for egg wash)
• 2 tablespoons water or milk (for egg wash)
• Sugar (for sprinkling)
• Clotted or Devon cream (for serving)
• Fresh Strawberry Rhubarb Preserves (for serving)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 400°F (200°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper, ensuring even surface coverage.
2. In an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and kosher salt. Incorporate cold unsalted butter by mixing on low speed until the mixture resembles coarse pea-sized crumbs.
3. Create a wet mixture by whisking whole eggs with heavy cream until thoroughly blended. Gradually introduce this liquid to the dry ingredients, mixing minimally to maintain a tender texture.
4. Gently coat dried currants with a light dusting of flour to prevent sinking during baking. Fold these into the dough with minimal stirring to distribute evenly.
5. Transfer the fragile dough onto a generously floured work surface. Perform gentle kneading, preserving visible butter chunks for ultimate flakiness. Shape into a circular disc approximately 3/4 inch (2 centimeters) thick.
6. Use a round cutter to create 3-inch (7.5 centimeters) scone shapes, carefully transferring each to the prepared baking sheets without overhandling the delicate dough.
7. Enhance the scones’ appearance by brushing with egg wash and sprinkling with additional granulated sugar for a golden, crisp exterior.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, monitoring until the tops achieve a rich golden-brown color and the interior feels firm when gently pressed.
9. Serve immediately while warm, accompanied by traditional clotted cream and vibrant strawberry rhubarb preserves for an authentic culinary experience.

Notes

• Chill your ingredients ahead of time to maintain the delicate texture and ensure maximum flakiness.
• Gently combine the dough with minimal handling to preserve the light, tender crumb of the scones.
• Dust your workspace generously with flour to prevent sticking and make rolling out easier.
• Slice through the dough with a sharp, clean-edged cutter for uniform and perfectly shaped scones.
• Enhance the golden appearance and add a subtle crunch by brushing with egg wash and sprinkling with sugar before baking.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: English

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 scone (approximately 80 g)
• Calories: 280
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 220 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg