Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Scones and Tea

It's no secret I have a British heritage. Both my grandparents (who raised me) were British and what I would call "old school." There was a great deal of tradition in my household when I was growing up. One thing I never experienced though, were scones and tea. So today I have some English Breakfast tea and scones I made.


The recipe I used:

Ingredients
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla (I use Mexican vanilla)
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup butter
  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup topping
Directions
  1. In a small bowl, blend the sour cream and baking soda, and set aside.
  2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a large baking sheet.
  3. In a large bowl, mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, cream of tartar, and salt. Cut in the butter. Beat the egg with the vanilla. Stir the sour cream mixture and egg/vanilla mixture into the flour mixture until just moistened. Add topping of your choice.
  4. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead briefly. Roll or pat dough into a 3/4 inch thick round. Cut into 12 wedges, and place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
  5. Bake 12 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven, until golden brown on the bottom.
Ruminations:

Obviously, these are not gluten free, something I realize my Tea Tuesday friends prefer.

Don't over knead the dough. I didn't knead very much because of my arthritis, and I think that was what kept the scones light and airy.

Before I began the kneading process, I divided the dough into two batches. I added orange peel and dried cranberries to one batch (because it was what I had) and toffee chips to the other batch. The recipe was supposed to make 12 total, but when I cut the wedges, I got eight scones from each batch.

Since I've never had scones before, I'm not sure what they are supposed to taste like. But I know I really love the taste of these.


I hope you'll join me today for a traditional English breakfast of scones and tea. Then hop over to Kimmie's for the links to the rest of the Tea Tuesday gang.Link

27 thoughtful remarks:

Dianne said...

oh these sound scrumptious, and your table setting is lovely! I did not overlook the rocking horses in the background either...have a cozy enjoyable tea today dear friend!

Steph said...

Happy T to you dear E!!! thanks for sharing the recipe...yummmm

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Hi Elizabeth, you must have visited my kitty post when I was typing up my tea post for today -- I am having scones too. Yours certainly sound much richer than the ones I made. :) Hope your day is great. Tammy

Unknown said...

Oh those look delicious! My daughter and I were just talking about how Starbucks no longer has the Oatmeal Maple scones and how we'd like to try making some of those plus pumpkin and white chocolate chip.....mmmmmm thanks for sharing!

Sonya Johnson said...

Your scones look delicious! The recipe I use is much simpler (no egg or vanilla or CoT), but it's hard to go wrong with butter, sour cream and sugar ;).

Scones are essentially lightly sweetened biscuits, so that's what they should taste like. Another tip, if you make scones again, is to press the dough into an 8" or 9" round cake pan to form the circle, and then tap out on the counter to cut into wedges - fast and easy!

Happy Tea Tuesday :)

Kirsty.A said...

Looks yummy.Not strictly traditional (English tea really should have milk and scones are normally round) but yummy nontheless!

Anonymous said...

Nothing beats english afternoon teas... We go as often as we can wherever we can find one, we've been to them in Los Angeles, San Francisco, London.

Caterina Giglio said...

but they look delicious nonetheless! mmm mmm and always fun stopping by for tea! thanks for your kind remarks about my pages... you made my day E!!

Darla said...

I'll be right there, LOL! Your china is very pretty and quite "Tea" like. I have a favorite scone recipe but I may try yours, you never know.

Darla

Anonymous said...

Yum, looks delish. I like your oak chairs. xox Corrine

olive said...

oohhh so you are normal then!!!! cant beat scones, jam and cream with piping hot tea. part of the tradition of afternoon tea here... very civilised. xx

Dandelion and Daisy said...

Thanks for sharing the recipe, sound yummy. I've only made them from mixes before or had them from a bakery. The consistency seems to vary by the baker, at least here in the U.S.

~*~Patty S said...

Just came from Tammy's tea and scones ...I'm glad I still have room for one of yours too E ;)

they look and sound scrumptious!

It is fun learning new things about you!
Hope today was lovely in every way
oxo

~*~Patty S said...

oh and your magnolia dishes are so pretty and perfect too!

my cup of tea said...

Yummy! I would love to have some of those today!
Such a pretty cup and plate too! Hope you are having a great Tea on Tuesday!
~Donna~

Margaret said...

Your post makes me want to make some now! perhaps a project for the current school holidays, I can't remember the last time I made these! Mx

Terri Kahrs said...

I've never had a scone, but your look delicious on your beautiful magnolia plates! Will definitely have to give your recipe a try. Thanks for your generosity, Elizabeth! Hugs, Terri xoxo

Gayle Price said...

Scones and tea....perfect. I love scones ! Your setting with the candles looks beautiful Elizabeth and your scones look delicious. I noticed your recipe has sugar in it... the scones we commonly make in Aust. have only a pinch of sugar, but then we serve them with jam and cream ! Happy T Tuesday. xx

Halle said...

These look yummy! I made scones once a very long time ago. I think they ended up kind of hard if memory serves. I wonder if I could use Greek yogurt in place of the sour cream. They taste virtually the same to me. I'll let you know if I try your recipe. :)

Yvonne said...

The tea and scones sound so delicious. Love your tea cup too. Saw scones at T's daily treasures too so now I'm really wanting to make some. Thanks for a lovely post as usual. Happy tea day.

donnalouiserodgers said...

They look like scones to me, and your recipe sure sounds right, and if they taste good you probably have it nailed.

I always have thought you seem terribly British for a Yank...( in the best possible way dahlink)

Dx

Dianne said...

Your scones look good... and I love the China! Happy Tea!

Unknown said...

I love your magnolia tea set! And your scones look simply DIVINE! For having never tried scones before, you look like a pro!

Happy Tuesday!

JoZart Designs said...

Your scones look good to me but the recipe is more complex than mine. We never have them for breakfast.... they are traditionally afternoon tea served with strawberry or rasberry jam (preserve) and fresh whipped cream. In Cornwall and Devon cream teas are served with their locally made, delicious, rich, clotted cream. oooh I think I must make some today!
JoZarty x

voodoo vixen said...

Well your English heritage was news to me!! Nothing quite like a proper English tea and scone feast... must have proper butter, cream and jam... yummmmm!!

Anonymous said...

First off I would like to say fantastic blog! I had a quick question in which I'd like to ask if you don't
mind. I was curious to find out how you center yourself and clear your head before writing.

I've had difficulty clearing my mind in getting my thoughts out. I truly do take pleasure in writing but it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes are lost simply just trying to figure out how to begin. Any recommendations or hints? Many thanks!

Here is my web blog: http://www.quantrimtruth.com

Anonymous said...

Hello, i think that i saw you visited my website so i came to “return the favor”.
I'm attempting to find things to improve my site!I suppose its ok to use some of your ideas!!

My site ... is quantrim scam