1. Preheat the Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients:
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
3. Cut in Butter:
- Add Butter: Add the cold cubed butter to the flour mixture.
- Cut Butter into Flour: Using a pastry cutter, fork, or your fingertips, cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized pieces of butter.
4. Mix Wet Ingredients:
- Prepare Wet Mixture: In a separate bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, egg, and vanilla extract until well combined.
5. Combine and Form Dough:
- Add Wet Ingredients: Pour the wet mixture into the flour mixture.
- Mix Until Just Combined: Gently stir with a spatula or wooden spoon until the dough starts to come together. Be careful not to overmix.
- Optional Add-Ins: If using any optional add-ins like dried fruit or chocolate chips, gently fold them into the dough at this stage.
6. Shape and Cut Scones:
- Shape Dough: Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Pat the dough into a circle or rectangle about 1 inch thick.
- Cut Scones: Using a sharp knife or a floured round cutter, cut the dough into scones. Place the scones on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between them.
7. Bake:
- Brush with Cream: Brush the tops of the scones lightly with heavy cream to help them brown.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, or until the scones are golden brown on top and cooked through.
8. Serve:
- Cool: Remove the scones from the oven and let them cool slightly on a wire rack.
- Serve Warm: Serve the scones warm with clotted cream and your favorite jam or preserves.
Tips for Perfect Scones:
- Cold Butter: Ensure the butter is cold when cutting it into the flour mixture. This helps create a flaky texture.
- Handling the Dough: Be gentle when mixing and shaping the dough to avoid overworking it, which can result in tough scones.
- Customize: Feel free to customize your scones with different add-ins like dried fruit, chocolate chips, or citrus zest for varied flavors.
- Storage: Scones are best enjoyed fresh on the day they are baked. If storing leftovers, wrap them tightly and reheat before serving.
Enjoy these Classic Scones with your favorite tea or coffee, or as a delightful addition to any brunch or afternoon tea party. The buttery, tender texture and subtle sweetness make them a timeless treat that everyone will love.