Scones – How to make the PERFECT Scones Everytime

In winter I love the smell of buttery, light, cooked perfect scones baking in the oven. 

The best thing is getting the freshly baked scones out of the oven, breaking them open and smelling the delicious aroma.

Of course, what would hot scones be without smothering them in butter?

The Perfect Scone Recipe
Fresh Baked Scones, Perfect!

But what is the secret on how to make the perfect scones every time?

Making the Perfect Scone Tips
Making the Perfect Scone Tips
When I was a kid my Nan and I used to spend a lot of time in the kitchen cooking together, working our way through cookbooks and old recipes.
Scones with Strawberry Jam
Scones with Strawberry Jam
One day, we were baking scones, she warned me that her scones were usually tough and dry. By this time Nan and I had baked soufflés together, made mousse and cheesecake, so I didn’t think something as simple as a scone would fail.
Making the Perfect Scone light and fluffy
Making the Perfect Scone light and fluffy

We went through the process of making the scones and sure enough, they were quite heavy. My Nan is a twin, and she explained to me that her twin sister makes perfect scones and pastry because she always has cold hands and doesn’t put any care into the mixture.

Scones at Morning Tea
Perfect Scones with Tea
Over the years my scone making technique has improved and I can now cook the perfect scone every time. Making scones kind of feels like cheating as they taste so good but are really easy to bake. I have, however, developed some never fail cooking tips to ensure successful scones.
Making the Perfect Scone with jam
Scones with Jam

Tips for Making Perfect Scones

  1. Cold is their friend.
    • Use cold butter straight from the fridge
    • Winter is a great time to cook scones because the house is cold
    • Use ice cold water out of the fridge or cooler in the scone mixture
  2. They don’t like to be touched by hands.
    • If possible use a food processor to combine the butter and flour.
    • Our hands are warm and will melt the butter causing it to be absorbed by the flour instead of coating the flour. If you can’t use a food processor have cold hands and work very quickly.
    • Don’t knead the mixture ever! Once the water is added process until just barely combined.
  3. Scones like to cosy up to one another in the baking tray. This helps them to rise evenly in the cooking process. When placing the scones in the baking tray they need to be touching.
Plenty of the best fresh Scones
Plenty of fresh Scones

What I love about making scones using this technique is the less involved I am with the dough the better the scones.

Scones with Strawberry Jam
Scones with Strawberry Jam

I will literally, food process the ingredients as described in the recipe. Then I dump the dough on a lightly floured bench. I usually then just lightly form the mixture into an inch thick block and either cut the whole thing into squares or use a round cookie cutter (if I want round scones). I use an egg flip to move the scones into a floured baking tray.

What you’ll need to bake the Perfect Scones

  • A Food Processor
  • 2 1/2 cups Self Raising
  • Flour 375gm
  • 30 gm cold butter chopped into cubes
  • 1 Tbs sugar
  • 1 1/4 cups buttermilk 310mls
The Perfect Scone

Scones Recipe - Homemade Secrets

The only recipe and tips you need for making perfect scones every time.
4.23 from 48 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Morning Tea
Cuisine: English
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 25
Calories: 63kcal
Author: Julie

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups self raising flour
  • 30 g butter cold butter chopped into cubes
  • 1 Tbs sugar
  • 1 1/4 cups buttermilk

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 200 degrees celsius.
  • Line a baking tray with paper or flour it.
  • Add the flour and butter to a food processor and process until the mixture looks like sand.
  • Add the sugar and pulse until combined.
  • Add the milk and process until the mixture balls.
  • Tip the dough onto a floured bench and push gently into a square shape about an inch thick.
  • Cut into squares with a knife or circles with a cookie cutter.
  • Place the scones into prepared tray. The scones need to be touching. They will rise into each other but still be able to be torn apart when cooked.
  • Cook for 25 minutes or until golden.

Nutrition

Serving: 1scone | Calories: 63kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 21mg | Potassium: 28mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 50IU | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 0.1mg

Well, I hope you enjoy success with my recipe and tips on cooking perfect scones, just remember they like to be made by mixing cool and no hands!

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