Friday, January 20, 2017

Cream Scones with Lemon and Dried Fruit~


How do you cozy up a dark and dreary winter day? Since the ice storm rolled through, we have had rain, fog and gloomy days...dark even earlier than than on a sunny day.  We like to light lots of candles (mostly the no-flame, no little burned fingers kind), turn on cheery music and on the weekends, I like to bake!

Early this week, I was craving something sweet but not too sweet. Something that would taste great with a warm cup of tea.  Scones sounded perfect and this was one of the best scone recipes I've tried.  Other recipes I've made have added butter and egg in the dough. This recipe gets enough added fat from using cream rather than milk or buttermilk to moisten the dough.  


First published in Bon Appetit in 1996, these scones are flaky and tender with a luscious lemony flavor from grated lemon zest - not only in the dough but also mixed with sugar and sprinkled on top before baking.


They are indeed perfect with a cup of tea - especially my favorite green tea with lemon.  


I added chopped dried apricots and dried cherries as I had them on hand.  Since my dried cherries were not brand new and soft, I plumped them in a splash of Kirsch liqueur before baking. I think dried blueberries would be delicious in this recipe too!


Even my husband, who is not a fan of dried fruit in bakery, loved these.


And did I mention the sugary, lemon-zest topping? So good!


So bring on the baking and bring on the light - we need it!

Cream Scones with Lemon


Makes 12 Scones

Note: I like to use organic lemons when I need lemon zest to avoid any pesticide residue.

2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup dried cherries (plumped in enough Kirsch to cover)
1/2 cup chopped dried apricots
2 teaspoons or so of grated lemon peel, divided (from 2 large, organic lemons)
1 cup heavy whipping cream (8 oz container)
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Preheat oven to 425°F.

Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

If your dried cherries are no longer soft, plump them in a small cup with enough Kirsch liqueur (Cointreau, Grand Marnier or Amaretto will also work) to cover. Place another cup on top of cherries submerge them. Allow to 'plump' for about 15 minutes or so and then drain. Squeeze dry with paper toweling.

Mix flour, the 1/4 cup of sugar, baking powder and salt in large bowl. Stir in apricots, cherries and 1 teaspoon lemon zest. Add whipping cream and stir just until dough forms. If necessary, add another tablespoon or so of milk if your dough is still too dry but don't get the dough too wet. Kneed dough gently on a lightly floured surface, just until dough holds together. Form the dough into a 10-inch circle, 1/2 inch-thick or so. Cut into 12 wedges with a clean knife dipped in cold water. 

Transfer wedges onto a large baking sheet, about 2 inches apart. Combine remaining 2 tablespoons sugar and 1 teaspoon lemon peel in small bowl. Brush scones with melted butter and sprinkle with the sugar mixture.

Bake scones in the preheated oven until light golden brown, about 15-25 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool slightly. Serve scones warm or at room temperature. May be made a day ahead and wrapped in foil.

Adapted from Bon Appetit, 1996

44 comments:

  1. Ohhhhh man, these look mouth wateringly delicious!! Thank you for sharing! <3 - http://www.domesticgeekgirl.com

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  2. We love scones! And the combo of naturally sweet cream and tangy lemon is just sensational. These scones would be a hit at our home too. Happy Weekend, Susan.

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  3. It's been a long time since I've had a scone, they sound really good:@)

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    1. Such simple ingredients and such wonderful taste :) Thank you, Lynn!

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  4. These sound delicious Susan! Funny how I remember tbe last scone I had, and it was a ginger scone on Martha's Vineyard. On a beautiful sunny day!

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    1. What a great memory! I wish it were sunny here - more fog today :( Thank you, Debbie!

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  5. How did you know I've had scones on my mind?! These are gorgeous and that sugary lemon topping seals the deal. Have a great weekend Susan!

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  6. Scones..one of my favorites ever.
    Well..I never saw the shorter candles;) We only have the talls...Funny how some stores carry some things and others not.
    I love that fur through..OH boy!How unusual..and cozy and warm looking..♥

    Have a ball this weekend and take care.

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    1. I need to make them more often! These were so good. The short and tall candles came together in a set from our Costco. Yes, strange they would sell different ones there. The fur is a sheep-skin that I've owned since we were first married. I had two but can't find the other one. I think I let one of the girls take it to college and it never came home. VERY cozy :) Thank you, M! Looking forward to seeing our boys ♥

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  7. I love lemon in anything but lemon scones sound wonderful! And yes, so perfect with a cozy cup of tea by the fire. We've had a slew of gray days too. I guess it really makes the beautiful days so lovely!

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    1. Thank you, Chris! We haven't seen the sun in about two weeks! I am so ready for a sunny day. Lemon at least makes me feel sunny :)

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  8. SO do we! We love to bake on the weekends especially during the winter months. These scones look to die for! Thanks for a lemon recipe - they sound wonderful! Have a great weekend Sue.

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    1. I hope you try them - they are delicious! Thank you A&L :)

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  9. This is such a cozy post. Just what we need this time of the year. Love the scones and your candles. Great recipe. Our days have been rainy and foggy. The lake level is way down so people can work on their seawalls and our lovely town is deserted. This is the first time we have been here in the winter. It is so different. We are heading to Florida in February for 6 weeks. New town, rental house. Should be fun.

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    1. It sounds like many are having the same weather lately! Have fun on your winter break, Penny, and thank you!

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  10. Here the wind blew very strong for days, these scones are perfect for an evening cuddle under the covers, warm hugs !

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    1. The best part of winter is getting cozy :) Thank you, Chiara! xoxo

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  11. Love scones Susan and these look absolutely delicious !! xoxoxoxo

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  12. Scones are my favorite for breakfast, late mornings and afternoons. Pretty much anytime. And these look delicious Susan, my lemon tree is bursting with fruit. Perfect timing!

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    1. I envy your lemon tree! It is definitely citrus season and lemons make me feel sunny :) Thank you, Cheri!

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  13. I love this idea. Having just baked pound cakes with dried fruits, scones will be next.

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    1. Pound cakes are another favorite of mine too, Linda! Thanks much!

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  14. Of all dried fruits, I like apricot best. (Have you ever made Giada's pine nut apricot cookies? They are fabulous!) The lemon top just makes your scones even better. They look divine, Susan!

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    1. I haven't made those cookies, Barbara, but had to immediately look them up :) They do sound wonderful! Thank you!

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  15. Baking during winter is so much fun and brings so much coziness at home! I love dried fruits and stuff meat with them very often! Your scones are terrific Susan!

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  16. I have not baked scone in ages...I absolutely love the sound and the look of these scones...lemony and dried fruits...and yes, the sugary coat too...I too just started baking, the heat of the oven sure brings extra warmth to the house.
    Thanks for the recipe Susan...have a wonderful week ahead :)

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    1. I hadn't baked them in too long also, Juliana. Now I wonder why I haven't made them more often. Thank you!

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  17. My girlfriend is having a tea next Sunday…I'm going to share your recipe with her, these would go perfect with what she is serving.

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    1. What a nice idea, Karen! I hope she enjoys them and thank you!

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  18. Love your scones, Susan, they look delicious! I made scones once, years ago, and they were a disaster, so this post has inspired me to try again. I like all the dried fruit in these and a little Kirsch never hurt anything! BTW, your plates and the table linens are beautiful. Thanks for the great recipe!

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    1. I always know when a recipe is a success if my husband asks for more :) Yes, the Kirsch certainly didn't hurt :) Thank you, Pam!

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  19. These scones look delish. I was clicking around on my blog today, cleaning up some old links, and found some of your comments. I am so happy to see your blog thriving -- and hope to see you over at In Good Taste again soon! (www.ingoodtaste.kitchen). Hope you are doing well Susan!

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    1. So glad to see you, Maris! Sometimes we do lose track of each other :(

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    2. It is hard to keep up! :) But glad to see you too and nowwww I'm craving scones!!

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  20. I love candles in winter and I love scones. But scones I love year round so bring it on!

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  21. I love candles in winter and I love scones. But scones I love year round so bring it on!

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  22. Wow, these are right up my alley! I even have a bottle of Kirsch in the cupboard, thanks Susan!!

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  23. I love scones! There is something about their slight baking powder saltiness combined with their sweet flavor that is so addictive. Our wnter has been fairly mild so far. We ahve not had much snow on the Front range but the high mountains have had much.

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  24. I love scones ! Its been awhile since I had some and you just tempted me to bake some. Thanks for sharing. You have a very lovely blog.
    Blessings, Kristy

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