in search of the perfect scone

well, my search for the perfect scone may just be over. i made a batch of cream scones tonight, only smaller bite-sized ones, and they are to die for!!! i used dried cranberries and added the zest of an orange. they are the lightest, fluffiest scones i've ever tasted, even though my photos don't look as dreamy-creamy as Smitten Kitchen's. thanks again, Deb, for posting this recipe.



i also made half a recipe of these buttermilk scones that i'd made before. i cut them into smaller triangles (about 3 inches long and 3/4 inch thick) and didn't bake them as brown this time (about 12-15 minutes). these buttermilk scones are not as light as the cream scones, but they aren't so bad themselves. good with some lemon curd and Devonshire cream, too!



then, i found these scones posted by Julia:



the recipe is here with measurements in metric. i will have to try this recipe to see if it makes a more perfect scone than those cream scones i made tonight.

[Post Edit March 18, 2007]

For more great information on scones, follow this blog's thread: In Search of the Perfect Scone.

And a discussion on the difference between scones and biscuits: Buttermilk Biscuits with Goat Cheese and Chives

dreamy creamy scone

dreamy creamy scone
Originally uploaded by smitten.

had to blog this photo and recipe of Cream Scones from America's Test Kitchen Cookbook here for later use. thanks to Smitten Kitchen for sharing.

buttermilk scones

i finally got a chance to try out this buttermilk scone recipe, blogged by my friend Cellissimo. it is yummy...light and flaky on the inside and a little crusty on the outside. what i liked most about it was the fact that it didn't have that aftertaste of baking soda that i always seem to get with store bought scones. i used alum free Rumford baking powder and Arm & Hammer baking soda for leavening. next time i make it, i'll use more lemon zest than i did today.

here's a closer up look at the flaky scones: