Friday, January 14, 2011

Sour Cream Scones


Scones, at least for me, were always a vehicle for butter and sticky, fruity jam! And not all scones are the same, either.

As a young girl at a Scottish boarding school, scones became my most coveted tea time treat. They were not at all like the light, flaky, little bundles of deliciousness served today. They were more of a dense, dry biscuit... and a vehicle to eat butter and jam!

I like these Sour Cream Scones because they are very basic, yet so light and yummy... and a great vehicle for butter and jam. Some things never change!

Sour Cream Scones
2 cups  flour
3 TBS sugar
2 TBS baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
5 TBS butter, cubed
1 cup sour cream
1 egg yolk
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup sanding sugar

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

In a food processor, pulse flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together. Add the cubed butter until a coarse meal forms. Pulse in the sour cream and egg yolk until just combined.





Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until the dough comes together into a ball.






Gently pat the dough down into a 3/4 inch thick square shape.




 With a large knife cut the dough square into 4 smaller, equal squares.




 Then cut each smaller square diagonally, with an X, making 4 smaller triangles.







Transfer the 16 triangles onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Brush the tops of each scone with heavy cream and sprinkle it with sanding sugar. This will create a shiny and crunchy top for the scones.


 

 



  Bake in preheated oven for 12 to 14 minutes until the bottoms of the scones are light brown.

Remove from oven, cool slightly on the sheet pan and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

OR

Ignore the last instructions and eat warm!



Slather with butter, jam or lemon curd. Delicious!





Lots of finger licking and lip smaking enhances the flavor!



I am participating in PINK SATURDAY  with Beverly at How Sweet The Sound. If you love all things pink, this is the place to be!

70 comments:

  1. My on My!!! I just love your pictures and your recipes and everything about you!!
    Thanks for sharing this recipe.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I've never tried to make scones before. I must try these. You make it look easy! Carla

    ReplyDelete
  3. As if I didn't eat enough junk over the holidays, now I have to make scones! They look wonderful. I was wondering if it is ok to eat them with pinky finger down? Remembering to keep pinky up just slows down the whole stuffing my face ritual.

    ReplyDelete
  4. You should send your photos to Pioneer Woman's blog who is having a "Food Photo" contest. Just gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  5. mmmmmm... those look good. It looks like I'll be making some scones. Thanks for sharing the recipe and the step by step photo tutorial.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I have always wanted to try baking scones...this recipe may just be my first attempt! Gorgeous pics as usual! Thank you for sharing this treat with us!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I am salivatiing already! Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh my goodness, I will be over in two minutes! I might require a bib! ;-) My mama just made you French Onion Soup recipe this week~It was delicious!!!! So Savory!

    Your pictures are beautiful, I could almost taste the scones!

    Love Carissa

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi Yvonne,
    Those look absolutely delicious!

    Carolyn

    ReplyDelete
  10. My husband has been in search of the perfect scone--like the ones he had at his English boarding school!! Maybe you two are kindred boarding school spirits. Scones were his favorites but he won't touch tapioca pudding since they were served it far too often. Alas, scones were for special occasions. Hmm, should I surprise him with your scones or give him your recipe?
    Either way, they must be slathered with good butter and jam.

    Have a delicious weekend, Yvonne!!

    Best,
    Bonnie

    ReplyDelete
  11. O*M*Gosh! These look incredible! I have never made scones cause the dry(ish) texture never really appealed to me. THESE, however, sound DELISH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks so much for the step by step. XO, Pinky

    ReplyDelete
  12. I absolutley love scones and I make them all the time. Yours look delicious and your photos are amazing! Maybe it's my Scottish heritage:-)I love coming by your blog to visit!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Oh gorgeous!
    Pictures and recipe both.
    Your beautiful sour cream scones are like plain Jane biscuits with an Elizabeth Arden makeover.
    They are good looking, and I know they'd taste great as well.
    I'm passing this on to my tea-time loving daughter!
    Cass

    ReplyDelete
  14. Yvonne,

    Goodness ..I just gained a good five pounds drooling over those photos ! Darn, wish I were skinny !

    And using the sour cream would really make those scones the best!

    I will have to try them soon !

    Thanks for the recipe !
    And I am part Scot Irish ! :o)

    Hugs,
    Linda

    ReplyDelete
  15. Just beautiful Yvonne, both the scones and your pics! I'm thinking these would be great with the Pom jelly I made:@)

    ReplyDelete
  16. I just love scones and you make baking them look like art! You even make a raw egg look fabulous! Wish I had some popping out of the oven right now.

    Growing up for me scones were fresh dough pan fried and we would split them and add wonderful Wisconsin cheese that melted from the heat. Then I moved out west and they were deep fried donut type treats. Then as an adult I learned about English scones. Yum, I am not too picky, they are all great.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I heart scones and yours look wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Yum I love scones!! With fresh jam it is heaven in your mouth! Thanks for sharing
    Marie Arden Pink Living

    ReplyDelete
  19. Yum-o-lish-us!!! I love my scones covered in sanding sugar and served with lemon curd and clotted cream - heaven!

    Did I ever tell you one of my parents was born and raised in Scotland? Talk to you later.

    :)
    ButterYum

    ReplyDelete
  20. I visited Scotland many years ago, it has remained one of my favorite places on earth. These scones look delicious. I've never tried making them from scratch. This recipe may just do the trick. Thanks for the step by step. :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. Please no! Please no! Yvonne! These are just SINFUL. Oh, now I want one SO bad. You naughty girl! Now, I'll be forced to go bake cookies 'cause that's all that's in this pitiful nest.

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

    ReplyDelete
  22. Yvonne,
    Tea Time magazine is always suggesting scones and tea. .. but I've never made scones. The majority of the recipes seemed as if there were just too many steps for me to tackle. Until now! This tutortial makes sense and appears easy enough for me to attempt! ! !Thank you for this amazing post today. I am truly inspired!
    Fondly,
    Pat

    ReplyDelete
  23. Yvonne, I am sitting here thinking I need to get some of this weight off and you entice me with scones. Thank you. No, really those look really good and I didn't know you went to a Scottish boarding school. Have a good weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hi Yvonne! Love your pics and those scones look heavenly.

    Love,
    Susan and Bentley
    xxoo

    ReplyDelete
  25. Oh my goodness! I think I've died and gone to heaven. I have been looking for a basic recipe. sounds delicious. Your photos are super. Thanks so much for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  26. These scones look just fantastic! I love, LOVE scones and have my usual cream scone recipe that calls for heavy whipping cream. I must try yours, too, though - they sound and look incredible. =) Mmmmm....

    ReplyDelete
  27. Yvonne, I can't wait to make these scones. I've been looking for a recipe. If these are like everything else you've made, they will be fabulous. I made several of your recipes for my family over Christmas. They are now making them for their families. Love, love love your posts!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Yvonne, this look so yummy! The photography is so great, too! I love the step-by-step because I am a challenged baker! Everything I have made by you is the BEST! I will give it a try! BTW...the granola was a hit for Christmas! I have given out the recipe so many times!! Blessings, Christie at Three Pixie Lane

    ReplyDelete
  29. Beautifully done. We have not made any scones in a while. Thanks for the idea!

    ReplyDelete
  30. I am so going to make these Yvonne! I love scones and sour cream! Beautiful pictures! Thanks for the recipe!!!

    Hugs,
    Maryjane

    ReplyDelete
  31. Happy Pink Saturday, dear Yvonne. I am so glad to find you here this morning.

    You had me with the first mention of warm scones. I would love mine with lemon curd - or raspberries or apricots. Ah, heck! I would love one period.

    I think Stone Gable should be an inn. I would be your number one guest. I'm certain you make everyone feel special.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Absolutely delicious!
    Happy pink saturday!!

    ReplyDelete
  33. I love scones too Yvonne, I'll have to give these a try for Sunday breakfast. Thanks for sharing the recipe.

    ReplyDelete
  34. I just finished breakfast...but now I'm hungry again! ;) Your scones look so yummy...your picture are amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Your recipe sounds wonderful! I can't wait to give it a try. I love scones.

    ReplyDelete
  36. You need to check the comment right above mine. It's spam. Was going to say that was a great recipe but got distracted...lol....

    ReplyDelete
  37. You went to a Scottish boarding school? Okay...I want details!

    Scones are a favorite at our house. You've inspired me to whip up a batch this afternoon. I generally sprinkle sugar on mine, but why I don't use sanding sugar escapes me. It is so much prettier. I'll do that today!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Yvonne,
    These look so yummy....I'm salivating!
    xx

    ReplyDelete
  39. WOW your pictures are great! The recipe sounds wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Hi, Yvonne,

    Fabulous photos....I'm off to make some scones right now because of them!

    I used to do a lot of canning and many years ago came up with my very own "Lavender Jelly" recipe. It's a beautiful clear violet color and I cannot wait to try it on your scones.....yum!

    Sue

    ReplyDelete
  41. Love your blog and all the wonderful recipes, might I make a small suggestion that the recipes be more printer friendly. That would be a big help to all of us that hate buying printer ink at $65 a pop. Thanks so much!!
    The picture and your write ups are fabulous. Great job.

    Mary L

    ReplyDelete
  42. They look heavenly! Wish they could float over here!

    ReplyDelete
  43. I would like one of those delicious looking scones right now. My mouth is watering at the very site of them. Happy Pink Saturday, Char

    ReplyDelete
  44. SO YUMMMMEEEE looking! I agree...to be eaten with jam and cream {DEVONSHIRE, of course!} Visiting from Pink Saturday.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Ok, yum!!! Now I want scones and I don't have any sour cream to make these, but I will pick some up at the store next time, because these are too yummy to not make!

    Kat :)

    ReplyDelete
  46. Yvonne -- your scones look so delectible. Growing up my mother made pan fried (bread) scones. When I moved to the west, I discovered that they deep fried scones. I like them all and these look particularly inviting. Joni

    ReplyDelete
  47. Yvonne...I cannot believe that I almost missed this post! Oh, I WANT one, lol. When I made Sour Cream Scones for a Gooseberry Patch review, I so wanted to brush the tops with cream and sand them with course sugar. I didn't because I wanted to do the recipe just how it was written BUT next time I am...I can just taste that crunchy goodness!

    Blessings!
    Gail

    ReplyDelete
  48. Oh Yum...it looks so good. Wish I liked to bake but I just can't get into the groove.
    Daisy~

    ReplyDelete
  49. Oh Yvonne~ ~ ~I have been searching for a great recipe for scones. I have tried many and to my dismay they were dry and heavy. Yours look flakey and light can't wait to try them.
    ~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

    ReplyDelete
  50. Works of art! I've only made scones once & I must have worked the dough too much. They didn't come out anywhere near a big & fluffy as yours. :( I now have some sanding sugar in the house, so I can't wait to try your version. Thank you so much for all the wonderful ideas & recipes & inspiration you provide, Yvonne. I just ♥ coming to visit you!

    ReplyDelete
  51. Great! I felt like I was in the kitchen with you, these look and sound wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
  52. I have just found your lovely site through "La Table de Nana" and have loved my visit with those scrummy scones. I will drop by again.

    ReplyDelete
  53. Yvonne, I'm drooling! These look incredible. I'm making them this week. I have some clotted cream and a new jar of Sarabeth's Raspberry and Key Lime Preserves just begging for scones.

    ReplyDelete
  54. I have never wanted to make scones until seeing yours! They look delish! Like you said not the dry variety kind, so I will be adding to my to do list! Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  55. Hello Yvonne,
    Cannot remember how I found my way here~ I have been in soewhat of a trance:) However I just wanted to tell you that I didn't know how totally immersed I was in this post until at the end I realized my nose was six inches from the screen and I think I had almost stopped breathing! Lovely scones and such beautiful photos!! Amazingly beautiful....thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  56. I'm definitely bookmarking this one...yUm!

    Sarah

    ReplyDelete
  57. I made your scones this weekend for a bridal shower tea and they were delicious! They were so easy to make, and everyone loved them! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  58. Simply lovely scones! Made them to celebrate the Royal Wedding and shared them with my family. We enjoyed Lemon Curd on them. Completely yum. Thanks for sharing this delight!

    ReplyDelete
  59. Yvonne, I will try this recipe, and I love the very organized method of slicing up the dough!! Wishing you a lovely week~

    ReplyDelete
  60. hmmmm what is sanding sugar? i so wanna try this recipe!

    ReplyDelete
  61. Wow! Absolutely beautiful! I just found you on Pinterest, and scones are my all time favorite. I will try to make your recipe gluten free...if successful, I will be sure to link you.

    Mary
    glutenfreespinner

    ReplyDelete
  62. OOO, I am about to go into cardiac arrest right here.
    These are so beautiful and look so delicious.
    I am on the hunt for a good low fat, sugar free, whole wheat flour, "better for you" scone recipe. If ever you come across one...plezzzzzzz let me know. :)

    ReplyDelete
  63. I made these and I used organic flour, I substituted Chobani greek plain yogurt for the sour cream, added fresh blueberries and they were so good that I made them twice in two weeks!! Delicious!! Thank you for the recipe. So moist and delicious!! ~~Blessings to you and your family, Annabell :)

    ReplyDelete
  64. I just made your scones and they turned out perfect! Thank you for the recipe! I would like to add that if someone does not have a food processor you can use a pastry cutter and they will still turn out great. I added vanilla beans to my dough and it added all those beautiful black speckles.

    ReplyDelete
  65. pics are nice but can you supply the recipe in a card format?

    ReplyDelete
  66. Can't wait to try this recipe. Many moons ago a family friend, who is also English, shared her family recipe for scones with my family and I fell instantly in love. Now I live on my own, several states away from my family and miss my mom's baking. Making these scones will bring back memories and be a treat for my taste buds.

    ReplyDelete
  67. These look incredible, Yvonne! Going to try them for my birthday Wednesday.

    Blessings,
    Sarah

    ReplyDelete
  68. tried them and I don't have much experience to compare them too, mom used to add sugar to bisquits and call them scones for strawberry shortcake, and I've tried one at a coffee shop and it was heavy and icky...blek...but I just tried these, the sour cream drew me and they are so good flaky but soft and moist inside I just had two with strawberry jelly....mmmmmmmmmmm I made a huge mess though that I have to clean up :) Thanks for the recipe and for those wondering if its as good a recipe as it looks it totally is

    ReplyDelete
  69. I have a batch in the oven. I cannot wait until they are finished. Thanks for the recipe, it was easy to follow with fabulous photos! :)

    ReplyDelete