Scones are one of the most delicious English baked goods out there. Learn about how to store them properly before you start baking them. Scones are popular British baked goods, which are usually made from oatmeal or wheat.
They can be sweet or savory and are usually glazed with an egg wash. The secret to the scone is the basic component of Devonshire tea or cream tea. The main thing that separates scones from other teacakes is that it is made from yeast.
The National Scone Day is on May 30th which celebrates the delicious baked good.
Related: Kinds of Scones | Banana Scone Recipe | Ham and Cheese Scones Recipe
History of Scones
The first record of the term ‘scone’ as a way to refer to a cake was in 1513, according to the English Oxford Dictionary. However, at that time, the scone was mostly round and flat. It used to be large enough to fit a medium-sized plate and was baked on a griddle in Scotland.
After baking, the cake was cut into triangular sections. While today the triangle pieces are referred to as scones and the large cake is called a bannock, this was not the case at that time. The words were actually used interchangeably in Scotland.
Scones were baked in the oven when baking powder became a more common ingredient. This transformed the rudimentary cake into the scone we know today. Nowadays, scones are available in every British supermarket, grocery store, and bakery.
In 2005, the market worth for scones in Britain was actually estimated at around £64m and continued to increase in the subsequent five years. Heritage baking is the most common work used for baking scones at home. This is because they tend to be part of family recipes which have been passed down from generations.
They can take on various shapes and sizes, as well as include all sorts of fillings and toppings. They remain one of Britain’s most iconic dishes and are now recognized around the world. There is a lot of debate on how the word ‘scone’ should be pronounced.
Over two-thirds of the British population actually pronounces scone so that it rhymes with John. Moreover, in Scotland, over 99% of the people pronounce it the same way. Some people pronounce it so that scone rhymes with Joan but linguistics feel that this is incorrect.
This is because scones originate from Scotland and should be pronounced the way the general population in that region does.
Storing Scones (2 methods)
Making some delicious scones can be hard work, which is why people often make big batches in one go. Even though you may not be able to get enough of the baked good, you may end up with some left over. Scones can become quite unappetizing if they are even a day or two old.
They can lose their buttery flakiness and go soft. After 48 hours, they become practically impossible to eat. There are only 2 decent ways to store scones.
One is a long term option and the other for the short term. Here they are:
1. Freeze them (long-term)
The first way to store scones is to freeze unbaked scones on a baking sheet. Once they are frozen completely, you can transfer them to airtight containers and continue to freeze them. They can last up to 3 months this way.
When you want a few scones to eat, you can bake them according to the recipe and just add 3-4 minutes more in the oven. This will result in a flaky, fresh scone whenever you want. This is a more of a long-term plan.
2. Airtight Container (short-term)
The second way is to put the scones in an airtight container with a paper towel. The paper towel takes in any moisture from the scones and keeps them fresh. They may get a little soft but they still have the same texture and taste of freshly baked scones.
This is perfect if you plan on finishing the scones in a few days. It is important to make sure that the freshly baked scones have cooled down properly before you put them in an airtight container. Some people also recommend storing scones in a plastic bag and sealing it shut.
However, this can actually make them mushy and stale. A better way is to keep them in a plastic container (without a paper towel) which will still keep some of the crispness and flakiness intact.
Common Mistakes While Making Scones
Scones are a really delicate and buttery dish. They need to be baked properly so that they can remain flaky and delicious for as long as possible. There are a few ways to ensure that even if you store your scones for a long time in the freezer, they will end up delicious when you eat them.
Cold ingredients
The first secret to the perfect scone is to start with cold ingredients. The butter, eggs, and cream need to be cold in order to ensure that the butter doesn’t melt before the scones are baked. If it melts in the oven, it will lead to a super flaky and delicate scone.
The best way to ensure that your butter stays cold is to chill the bowl right before you start the process. It is also important to chill the dough before you bake it. Your hands may be warm enough to make the butter melt while you work with it.
It is better to chill the dough properly before you bake it. The best way to do this is to cut it into wedges and place it on the baking sheet. Keep them in the fridge while the oven preheats for the best results.
The right flour
Another thing to note is that you can use different types of flour, instead of only using all-purpose flour. The lower the content of protein in your flour, the better the scone will turn out. The protein levels will ensure that the baked good is denser.
For a lighter scone, you should use pastry flour which will ensure super delicate treats.
Over-mixing the dough
Mixing the dough too much will lead to chewy and tough scones. They will never be flaky or light if you use a harsh technique. The light dough is perfect, even if it has some bumps and lumps in it.
2 types of scones
1. British Scones
British scones are generally lightly sweetened but many make their scones savory as well. The most common ingredients are cheese, dates, currants, or raisins to flavor the scones. They are usually consumed with a smear of cream or jam at tea time.
There is generally a debate on how to serve the scones. In Devon, they put the jam on top and the cream on the bottom; in Cornwall, they do the complete opposite. The Queen of England also weighed into the debate by stating that she prefers the Cornish way of serving scones in the Buckingham Palace.
2. Scottish Scones
Scotland, were scones originated from, makes them with potato flour. They are commonly called ‘tattie scones’ and look like thin, flat pancakes. They are usually served for breakfast and taste absolutely delicious.
These scones are fried on griddles and are actually popular in New Zealand as well. They make up an important part of colonial New Zealand cuisine where scones are available in all kinds of varieties. They can also be found in Uruguay and Argentina where there are a large number of British immigrants.
They have scones in these regions with a popular South American infused drink which has high caffeine content. In Australia, scones are made with mashed pumpkin. This makes the dough mixture sweet and gives a traditional autumnal flavor.
A popular addition to the Aussie scones is dates since they have a sweet taste and chewy texture.
Popular Scone Recipes
There are a lot of recipes that you can try with scones but these are some of the best ones we found just for you.
1. Scones with Blueberry, Oats, and Coconut
The best scones are the simple ones. What can be better than scones with sweet bursts of blueberries, delicious oats, and tangy lemon glaze? It is a gluten-free option that will only take 12-14 minutes to bake.
The hearty texture of the oats combined with the delicious pop of fruit makes it a really tantalizing option. What makes this recipe unique is the last drizzle of the lemony glaze that will definitely set this scone apart from all others. Make sure that when you are making the scones with frozen blueberries, you don’t let them thaw before adding them to the mixture.
If you let them thaw, it will result in a lot of bleeding and your batter will turn purple. Try making the Scones with Blueberry, Oats, and Coconut now!
2. Classic English Scones
English style scones are beloved all over the world since they are fluffy, light, and stand tall. They are the perfect treat to have with your afternoon tea. The addition of strawberry jam with clotted cream makes it one of the most heavenly experiences.
You can also just eat them plain, they are that delicious. They come out of the oven absolutely flaky and golden. It will only take you a total of 25 minutes to make these amazing Classic English Scones with clotted cream and jam.
3. Griddle Scones
Griddle Scones are a specialty of the Scottish cuisine where they are commonly served for breakfast. They are cooked on a proper stove stop griddle and look like flat pancakes. The direct heat makes them super crispy and golden on the outside and delectably creamy on the inside.
It is important to be careful with the heat since you want them to cook through without burning the outside. It will take you a maximum of 25 minutes to have these fresh tattie scones on your plate with some sour cream and lemon for garnishing. Have you ever tried a scone before and if not will you try one now?
It’s an absolutely delicious treat that everyone should at least try once, if not make it part of their daily breakfast.
Relate: Main food storage article