Strawberry Scones - Moist and Flavorful!

Every once in a while I get a craving for scones. You're probably thinking scones, why scones? Who gets a craving for bland dry little hockey pucks. I certainly don't crave scones that are bland and dry but I do crave them when they are moist, flaky and flavorful, with a hint of sweetness…like the ones they make at Niagara Home Bakery on Queen St. in Niagara on the Lake. They have the absolute best scones. I've searched high and low for a scone recipe that matches their incredible taste and texture. It hasn't been easy and I certainly haven't mastered their scone making skills but this recipe I'm sharing with you is pretty darn close. I think scones get a bad wrap for being dry and bland because people don't know what they really are or what they are supposed to be. Scones taste bland because, well they're supposed to. Scones originated as a Scottish quick bread and resemble more of a biscuit texture and flavor. Think of a scone as a piece of thick bread that you toast and then spread a creamy butter or homemade jam to it. Many people take a bite of a scone and cry bland because they expect it to taste something like a muffin. Well it's not supposed to. I love a good muffin, like my berry muffins, but they are loaded with sugar. Yes I know, our taste buds are in love with sugar. The scone recipe I make calls for hardly any sugar and most of the sweetness comes from the fresh strawberries or fresh fruit that's added to it. In my opinion I'd much rather take a bite of a sweet strawberry rather than a bite of sweet sugar. These scones are perfect for breakfast, brunch, an afternoon treat or even as an after dinner dessert. And for those of you who really have a sweet tooth, like my three sons, add a dollop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream on top an it will taste like strawberry shortcake. If I'm not having the scone for breakfast but rather a dessert I like adding a touch, I mean a big touch, of powdered sugar just like they do at Niagara Home Bakery! Salute to moist, flavorful strawberry scones.

Shape into a ball on a floured surface

Flatten dough with your hands and add fresh strawberries

Fold dough in half so strawberries are buried.
Flatten with your hands. 

Using a cookie cutter or a glass, cut 10 scones

Place scones on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and rub heavy cream on top of each scone.

Bake for 15 minutes

Flavorful, moist scones! Add butter, jam or powdered sugar!

Strawberry Scones (Click to print recipe)

Preparation and cook time:  30 minutes

Makes 10

Ingredients:

• 2  cups all purpose flour
• 2 tb granulated sugar
• 2 tb baking powder
• 1/2 t salt
• 1 stick of cold diced unsalted butter
• 2 eggs whisked
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 cups diced strawberries
• powdered sugar *optional for top

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl mix flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Mix with a fork. Add diced butter to flour mixture and mash with a fork until butter is well mixed into the flour. It should resemble a thick course flour mixture. Add whisked eggs and cream and mix with your hands or a large spoon. Mix until ingredients are blended together but don't over mix. Dough may be a little sticky. Shape into a ball. Add ball of dough to a flat floured surface. Flatten dough with your hands in a circle shape until it's about a 1/2 inch thick. Add strawberries to top of dough then fold dough mixture in half. Continue to flatten dough with your hands and shape until it's about 3/4 inch thick. Using a small round cookie cutter or glass, cut 10 scones. Place each scone on parchment paper. Spread a little heavy cream on top of each scone. Bake in oven on middle rack for 15 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes and spread butter or jam on top or let cool and sprinkle with powdered sugar. 

Food Impressions:

Nate: "I loved these for dessert last night but I like them even better this morning. Maybe scones taste different in the morning."

Tyler: "What are these? They don't look like muffins. I really like it when I get a big bite of strawberries." 

Zachary: "Super good and scrumptious."

Dave: "Nice with my coffee."

Andrea: I love this recipe for scones. You can add any fruit and it would taste flavorful and moist. Perfect breakfast treat!