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A Scone Reinterpreted

Scones plated with orange slices

In case you haven’t noticed, I just have a bit too much time on my hands and I have a hankering for scones. I guess since it’s too evasive to find a great scone when I tried to search for it last year, I decided to bake a batch now.

Also the snow made me want to bake even more just because I’m stuck at home…except maybe digging it. *blech* Should I mention it’s the first real snow ever since winter has started?

Since I have too many of the typical blueberry, cinnamon or cranberry scones I just made up my own flavor: orange cognac raisin. Yeah, it’s the real cognac macerating (re-hydrating) the raisins with orange zest. I just chose orange since cognac has a slight tones of orange flavor when you taste or drink it. No. I don’t really like to drink alcohol…well, actually I like wine but not real liquor except to cook or bake with it.

Booze (Cognac) meets raisins

I used Alton Brown’s “Dried Cherry Scones” recipe from his book, I’m Just Here for More Food: Food x Mixing + Heat = Baking. Obviously, I replaced the dried cherries with the macerated raisins and orange zest.


Did I ever tell you I love his show? It’s quirky, funny and it’s loaded with technical information on how and why you should do a certain technique, etc. It’s basically the same for this book, hence why I bought this book (and I’m more of a baker than a cook).

Onto the recipe! Don’t worry, it’s easy to make scones. I encourage you to bake some after you read the recipe and you have the liberty to create your own flavor, too.

Dried Cherry Scone
from I’m Just Here for More Food: Food x Mixing + Heat = Baking by Alton Brown

Yield: 8 scones

The Dry Goods
9 1/2 ounces (2 cups) All-purpose flour
1/4 ounce (2 teaspoons) Baking powder
1/4 ounce (3/4 teaspoon) Salt
2 1/4 ounces (1/3 cup) Sugar

The Fat
3 ounces (6 tablespoons) cold Unsalted butter

The Liquid
6 1/4 ounces (3/4 cup) chilled Heavy cream
3 1/2 ounces (2 large) beaten Eggs

The Extras
3 ounces (1/3 cup) Dried Cherries (or in my case macerated raisins (same amount) by using a tablespoon of cognac and 1 tablespoon of orange zest)

1. Place an oven rack in position C (the middle) and preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

2. Assemble the dough via the BISCUIT METHOD (see the following). Add the dried cherries (or raisins and zest) to the assembled dough and stir until just combined.

Biscuit Method:
1. Measure all ingredients. Chill or freeze all the Fats.
2. Combine the Liquids and beat well.
3. Take the Dry Goods, mix and move to a large bowl.
4. Rub the Fats into the Dry Goods until about half the fat disappears and the rest is pea sized. Place the mixture into the freezer to keep it solid.
5. Make a well in the center of the Dry Goods/Fats mixture. Pour the Wet Works into the well and quickly mix by using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon.
6. Turn the mixture out onto a piece of wax paper or parchment – dusted with enough flour to make the dough manageable and knead briefly.
7. Roll and pat out the dough into 1 inch thick round, cut and bake accordingly.

3. Using a serrated bread knife, cut the round into 8 equal wedges. Place the wedges on an ungreased baking sheet about 1 inch apart.

How it looks like after it’s cut and on a parchment lined sheet

4. Bake the scones for 23 to 25 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and place on a rack to cool. Serve at room temperature.

Scones just came out of the oven

Note: Keep in air-tight container for up to 3 days.

Just a reminder to you all, this is my last posting about baking. Probably you’re thinking, “Finally!” Yup, Monday I’m getting out of my house and start eating out and there’s a ton of places that I want to try or eat. I just hope I have room in my stomach and still fit in my clothes…

Tina

I shoot, eat, and drink. My full time job is a hospital administrator. Moonlighting as a freelance photographer and food and travel writer.

  1. Edytahttp://www.flickr.com/photos/bs-edyta/ says:

    oh, snow :) i haven’t seen it this winter (crazy!). there’s nothing better than baking when there’s snow outside. i just loooove scones. yours turned out delicious! lovely photos :)

  2. hellokitty893112 says:

    Edyta – I actually envy in certain ways because I don’t really want to be surrounded in snow and these days are bitter cold outside. I love scones too! Thanks for the compliment. :)

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