Scones

Every once in a while, I am going to post a recipe on Biking to Bakeries. For those of you who know me well and those who have been reading my blog, you know how much I love a great scone. When my younger daughter, Camille, and I went to England a few summers ago, I felt it was my duty to try every scone I encountered in order to understand what makes a great one. I think the best was in the town of Broadway, where the cafe owner told me I needed to order a scone because a new batch had just come out of the oven. This scone was heavenly with the clotted cream and homemade apricot jam which accompanied it. 

People seem divided about how they like their scones. Some insist they must be very buttery and rich, like American biscuits, and others say they must be more dense and not sweet. I like scones that are somewhat craggly and have enough heft (while still being light), to be a raft for toppings and perhaps hold dried fruit or even chocolate chips inside. 

The latter was a blasphemous idea to me many years ago, but once I tried one, I enjoyed it immensely. Why was I so skeptical and snooty about this unorthodox addition, when I am a devoted chocolate lover? Who knows? Suffice to say that I admit I was wrong and have added chips to many of my scones since having this epiphany. 

Year ago,  a good friend got married to his first wife at The Hotel Carter, a charming Victorian in Arcata, California. The food that day was magnificent, and though the marriage did not last, the caterer’s scone recipe has. Here is my favorite recipe from that day, with the messy, annotated version pictured below. 

I think the addition of lemon, orange, or lime zest makes for a winning scone, and I also like adding dried currants or blueberries, and the aforementioned chocolate. These scones from the hotel can take on fresh herbs (chives are a favorite) as well. If I want to feel righteous, I use half whole wheat flour, and then I need to use a bit more buttermilk or yogurt to keep the dough together. 

Please let me know how you like these and if you added anything interesting to them. Enjoy.