4 July 2011

Red, White and Blue Fruit Scones

Cook's Illustrated Fruit Scones

A safe and happy 4th of July to all my friends from the States!!!

 In celebration I started my day with these patriotic red, white and blue scones based on a recipe from Cooks Illustrated. I have baked them twice in the past few weeks which is something that never happens here at MTBT. That speaks volumes about how much I enjoyed them. I rediscovered them on Monica's site Lick The Bowl Good last week.

You know how it is when you have recipes bookmarked for months, perhaps years and they have yet to grace your kitchen. Well this is one of those recipes I've had kicking around. I was reminded of them on a post over at Vanilla Sugar.... who made them with raspberries. I am so glad I decided to finally whip up a batch twice and still counting. They just might be the best scones I have discovered yet with a "new to me" technique. The dough is mixed with a light touch and then folded as if you were making a rough puff pastry.

Monica added white chocolate chips. You could also use a myriad of fruits such as blackberries, nectarines, cherries or even dried fruits. This recipe is open to all interpretations. Take a peak at Monica's site for pictorial instructions since I am just not that kind of a girl. Now I am headed to the beach! I have always been a beach kind of a gal:D



**Fruit Scones**
based on a recipe from Cook's Illustrated

 Just a note before you start: It is important to work the dough as little as possible—work quickly and knead and fold the dough only the number of times called for. The butter should be frozen solid before grating. In hot or humid environments, chill the flour mixture and work bowls before use. While the recipe calls for 2 whole sticks of butter, only 10 tablespoons are actually used (see step 1). If fresh berries are unavailable, an equal amount of frozen berries (do not defrost) can be substituted. An equal amount of raspberries, blackberries, or strawberries can be used in place of the blueberries. Cut larger berries into 1/4- to 1/2-inch pieces before incorporating.
  • 16 tablespoons (2 sticks) unsalted butter, frozen whole (see note above)
  • 1 1/2 cups (7 1/2 ounces) fresh blueberries, and strawberries or raspberries(see note above)
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 2 cups (10 ounces) unbleached all-purpose flour, plus additional for work surface
  • 1/2 cup (3 1/2 ounces) granulated sugar, plus extra for sprinkling
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon table salt
  • 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest

1. Adjust an oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Score and remove half of the wrapper from each stick of frozen butter. Grate the unwrapped ends on large holes of box grater (you should grate total of 8 tablespoons). Place grated butter in freezer until needed. Melt 2 tablespoons of remaining ungrated butter and set aside. Save remaining 6 tablespoons butter for another use. Place blueberries and white chocolate chips in freezer until needed.Whisk together milk and sour cream in medium bowl; refrigerate until needed.

3. Whisk the flour, 1/2 cup sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and lemon zest in medium bowl. Add frozen grated butter to flour mixture and toss with fingers until thoroughly coated. Fold in the chilled milk mixture with a spatula until just combined (do not over mix).

4. Turn the dough and any floury bits onto a well floured work surface. Lightly flour your hands and the dough and knead the dough gently 6-8 times until it just holds together in a ragged ball, adding additional flour as needed to prevent sticking.

5. Roll dough into approximate 12-inch square. Then fold dough into thirds like a business letter, using bench scraper or metal spatula to release dough if it sticks to counter top. Lift short ends of dough and fold into thirds again to form approximate 4-inch square. Transfer dough to plate lightly dusted with flour and chill in freezer 5 minutes.

6. Transfer dough to floured work surface and roll again into a 12-inch square. Sprinkle blueberries and white chocolate chips evenly over surface of dough, then press down so they are slightly embedded in dough. Using bench scraper or thin metal spatula, loosen dough from work surface. Roll up dough, pressing to form tight log, and pinch the seam closed. Lay seam-side down and press log into 12 by 4-inch rectangle. Using sharp, floured knife, cut rectangle crosswise into 4 equal rectangles. Cut each rectangle diagonally to form 2 triangles.

7. Transfer the scones to parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush tops with melted butter and sprinkle lightly with sugar. Bake until tops and bottoms are golden brown, 18 to 25 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through baking. Transfer to wire rack and let cool 10 minutes before serving.

*Refrigerate or freeze leftover scones, wrapped in foil, in an airtight container. To serve, remove foil and place scones on a baking sheet in a 375-degree oven. Heat until warmed through and recrisped, 8 to 10 minutes if refrigerated, 16 to 20 minutes if frozen.

To Make Ahead: After placing the scones on the baking sheet, either refrigerate them overnight or freeze. When ready to bake, for refrigerated scones, heat oven to 425 degrees and follow directions in step 7. For frozen scones, heat oven to 375 degrees, follow directions in step 7, and extend cooking time to 25 to 30 minutes.

You are reading this post on More Than Burnt Toast at http://morethanburnttoast.blogspot.com. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the author and or owner of More Than Burnt Toast. All rights reserved by Valerie Harrison.
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28 comments:

  1. Your scones look amazing Val...have fun at the beach =) !

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  2. What beautiful scones! I love the flavors you chose. Divine!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  3. Scones and a good cup of coffee are my favorite breakfast. I like mine warmed up with a big pat of butter. Have fun at the beach!

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  4. These scones look wonderful and so delicious! You've done a great job :)!!

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  5. I was just thinking that I haven't made scones in a long while. Here's this delicious looking post. That confirms it. I'm always surprised at how easy scones are to make. They're sinfully good, too.

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  6. If something's called 'Lick the Bowl Good,' you know it's going to have good recipes! :) The scones look great. Happy 4th July to all in the States, too. Lovely you did a recipe for it.

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  7. These are great tips and they muxt work really well because these look amazing!

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  8. On my last day on earth, the very last thing I want is a scone - call me crazy.

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  9. I have a soft spot in my heart for scones. I ate the first one in an English class in London, together with strawberry jam and clotted cream: it was a revelation. You reminded me that now that it's berry season, scone season should also start. Thanks for the recipe!

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  10. Yum! Your scones look great! Happy 4th!

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  11. I'll have to try this recipe. I have made scones before and they did not turned out to be that great looking.

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  12. Val, look absolutely delicious! love the colours! gloria

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  13. Your scones look very good! Happy 4th of July to you as well. :)

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  14. These scones look amazing!

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  15. Great colours Val and I bet they tasted brilliant! I have a soft spot for scones!

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  16. Aww I'm so glad you joined in the celebration, Val! And with such delicious scones, too!

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  17. thanks for recognzing our holiday! So thoughtful of you! and I love scones... i saw Piers Morgan do an interview w/Beyonce where she said she'd never had them before...

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  18. Val, they really sound amazing. They've moved to my must try list. Have a great time at the beach. Blessings...Mary

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  19. These are a great way to start the day.

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  20. Those scones have so much wonderful fruit! They look delicious.

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  21. Your scones look wonderful! However, with all of the eating I have done over the past holiday, I should probably abstain for a bit.

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  22. I love scones. LOVE them...which is why I don't make them often. I could eat a whole batch of them - especially these. :)

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  23. Love this fruit combination and will enjoy trying this recipe. Always fun to stop by and see what's cooking at Val's!

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  24. Clever clever clever - red white & bloe scones! You've given me a craving for fruit scones now...

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  25. oh how delicious!My mouth is watering!!!

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  26. I've already bookmarked these- they'll be perfect for the blackberries I just picked. Scones for a leisurely breakfast are one of my favorite summer treats. :)

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  27. What a wonderful treat, Val. I hope you took some to the beach. What a great nosh.

    I would love it if you would link this to Bake with Bizzy.
    http://bizzybakesb.blogspot.com/2011/07/bake-with-bizzy-8.html

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  28. I've been craving scones and these look absolutely delicious. I've tried a couple different recipes, but still haven't found "the one." I'll definitely have to give these a try!

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Welcome to my home. Thank you for choosing to stay a while and for sharing our lives through food. I appreciate all your support, comments, suggestions, and daily encouragement.

Val

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