Description
These I-Love-You Scones are tender, buttery treats perfect for breakfast or afternoon tea. Made with simple pantry ingredients, including dried cranberries or raisins for a touch of sweetness, these heart-shaped scones are both charming and delicious. With a flaky texture and a golden crust sprinkled with coarse sugar, they are easy to make and sure to delight your loved ones.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
Butter
- 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
Add-ins
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries or raisins (optional)
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (plus extra for brushing)
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon milk (optional for brushing)
Topping
- 1 tablespoon coarse sugar for sprinkling (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon if you’re using it to evenly distribute all the dry ingredients.
- Cut in butter: Add the cold, cubed unsalted butter to the dry mixture. Use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to blend the butter into the flour until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs with some pea-sized bits of butter remaining. This ensures flakiness in the scones.
- Add dried fruit: Gently fold in the dried cranberries or raisins if desired to add bursts of sweetness and texture throughout the dough.
- Combine wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, egg, and vanilla extract to create a smooth wet mixture.
- Mix wet into dry: Pour the cream mixture into the flour mixture and stir gently with a spoon or spatula until just combined. The dough should be slightly crumbly but able to hold together; avoid overmixing to keep the scones tender.
- Shape the dough: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Pat it gently into a circle approximately 1-inch thick. Cut out scones using a heart-shaped cookie cutter, or use a round cutter or knife to cut wedges if you don’t have a heart shape.
- Prepare for baking: Place the cut scones onto the prepared baking sheet. Brush the tops with extra heavy cream or milk to promote browning and sprinkle with coarse sugar for a sweet, crunchy topping if desired.
- Bake: Bake the scones in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes until they are puffed up and golden brown on top.
- Cool and serve: Let the scones cool slightly on a wire rack. Serve them warm or at room temperature with clotted cream, jam, or fresh berries for a delightful treat.
Notes
- Cold butter is essential for flaky scones; keep it refrigerated until just before mixing.
- Do not overmix the dough to avoid tough scones.
- You can substitute the dried cranberries or raisins with other dried fruits or chocolate chips.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and use plant-based butter.
- Heart-shaped cutters add a special touch, especially for special occasions like Valentine’s Day.
- Coarse sugar topping is optional but adds a lovely crunch and visual appeal.