Orange raisin scones

Orange Raisin Scones Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour

• 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar

• 1 tbsp baking powder

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 1/2 cup (113g) cold unsalted butter, cubed

• 1/2 cup (120ml) heavy cream

• 1 large egg

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• Zest of 1 orange

• 1/2 cup (75g) raisins (you can use golden raisins for a twist)

• 2 tbsp fresh orange juice (for the glaze, optional)

• 1 tbsp milk or heavy cream (for the glaze, optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven:

   • Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.

2. Mix the dry ingredients:

   • In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt until fully combined.

3. Add the butter:

   • Add the cold, cubed butter into the dry mixture. Use a pastry cutter, fork, or your fingertips to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized pieces of butter.

4. Add the wet ingredients:

   • In a small bowl, whisk together the egg, heavy cream, vanilla extract, and orange zest.

   • Pour the wet mixture into the flour-butter mixture. Stir gently with a spoon or spatula until just combined. The dough should be slightly shaggy and a little sticky.

5. Add the raisins:

   • Gently fold in the raisins until they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough.

6. Shape the scones:

   • Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Gently knead the dough just until it comes together (don’t overwork it). Pat the dough into a circle that’s about 1-inch thick.

   • Using a sharp knife or a bench scraper, cut the dough into 8 wedges (like a pizza). For round scones, you can also use a round biscuit cutter (about 2.5 inches in diameter) to cut out circles.

7. Bake the scones:

   • Arrange the scones on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between them.

   • Optional: Brush the tops of the scones with a little bit of cream or milk for a golden, glossy finish.

   • Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the scones are golden brown on top and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

8. Optional glaze (for extra sweetness and orange flavor):

   • In a small bowl, mix the fresh orange juice and milk or cream together. Drizzle this glaze over the warm scones after they have cooled slightly.

9. Cool and serve:

   • Let the scones cool for a few minutes on a wire rack, then serve warm or at room temperature. They’re perfect with a cup of tea or coffee!

Tips for Best Results:

• Cold butter is key to flaky scones, so make sure it’s well-chilled before using.

• If you don’t have heavy cream, you can substitute with whole milk but the scones might not be as rich.

• For extra flavor, you can add a little cinnamon or nutmeg to the dry ingredients.

Enjoy your fresh, orange-scented scones with that perfect balance of citrus and sweetness! Let me know if you’d like any variations or tips for a specific twist.