Heavenly Buttermilk Scones Recipe: Fluffy Breakfast Joy

Baking these delightful buttermilk scones promises a delectable morning treat that instantly transports you to a cozy café.

Crisp edges and tender centers define these classic pastries with incredible charm.

Light and flaky textures emerge from simple ingredients mixed with careful precision.

Our recipe unlocks secrets for creating perfect scones that melt in your mouth.

Traditional British baking techniques combine with straightforward steps anyone can master.

Warm spices and subtle richness make these scones an irresistible companion to your favorite tea or coffee.

Prepare to fall in love with a breakfast classic that transforms ordinary mornings into memorable moments.

Why Nigella Buttermilk Scones Are a Treat to Bake

• Bake with Ease: Perfect for bakers of all skill levels, this scone recipe requires minimal technical expertise and basic kitchen tools.
• Quick Breakfast Delight: Prepare these scones swiftly, making them an ideal morning treat when you want something homemade but don't have hours to spend in the kitchen.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Adaptable recipe allows for creative additions like currants, chocolate chips, or nuts, ensuring everyone finds their favorite version of this classic pastry.
• Family-Friendly Baking: Engaging recipe that invites family members to join in mixing, shaping, and enjoying the delicious results together, creating fun culinary memories.

What You’ll Need for Nigella Buttermilk Scones

• All-Purpose Flour: The main foundation that provides structure to the scones.
• Sugar: Adds a subtle sweetness to balance the other flavors.
• Salt: Enhances the overall taste of the scones.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Helps the scones rise and become light and fluffy.

• Buttermilk: Adds tanginess and helps create a tender, soft texture in the scones.
• Heavy Cream: Used for brushing the tops to create a golden, shiny finish.

• Currants: Optional ingredient that provides bursts of sweet, fruity flavor throughout the scones.

• Cold Butter: Crucial for creating a flaky, rich texture by forming small pockets of fat during baking.

Instructions for Nigella Buttermilk Scones

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Heat your oven to a toasty 400°F (200°C) to create the perfect baking environment for your scones.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar
• Salt
• Baking powder
• Baking soda

Blend these ingredients until they’re well combined and look like a uniform powder.

Step 3: Incorporate Butter

Drop in cold butter pieces into the dry mixture. Use your fingertips to work the butter into the flour. Gently rub and squeeze until the mixture looks like rough, crumbly breadcrumbs. This technique helps create those signature flaky layers.

Step 4: Add Buttermilk

Pour buttermilk into the crumbly mixture. Stir gently with a wooden spoon or spatula until the dough just comes together. Don’t overmix – a few loose bits are perfectly fine.

Step 5: Fold in Currants

If you’re using currants, sprinkle them over the dough and fold them in carefully. The currants will add delightful bursts of sweetness throughout your scones.

Step 6: Shape the Dough

Dust a clean surface with flour. Transfer the dough onto this surface and divide it into two equal portions. Gently pat each portion into a round shape, aiming for about 3/4 inch thickness.

Step 7: Create Wedges

Using a sharp knife, slice each round into 8 equal wedges. This ensures consistent baking and serving sizes.

Step 8: Prepare for Baking

Place the scone wedges on a greased baking tray or one lined with parchment paper. Make sure they’re not touching each other.

Step 9: Apply Cream Wash

Brush the tops of the scones with heavy cream. This will give them a beautiful golden sheen and help them brown nicely.

Step 10: Bake to Perfection

Slide the tray into the preheated oven and bake for approximately 15 minutes. Watch for a lovely golden color that signals they’re done.

Step 11: Serve and Enjoy

Remove the scones from the oven and let them cool slightly. Serve warm for the most delightful texture and flavor. Enjoy with clotted cream, jam, or simply on their own!

Tips for Fluffy Nigella Buttermilk Scones

• Chill Butter Thoroughly: Keep butter ice-cold to ensure flaky, tender scones with perfect texture and maximum lift.
• Handle Dough Gently: Mix ingredients minimally to prevent tough, dense scones; overmixing develops gluten and creates hardness.
• Choose Quality Buttermilk: Use fresh, full-fat buttermilk for richer flavor and better moisture in your scones.
• Customize Mix-Ins Creatively: Swap currants with dried cranberries, chocolate chips, or nuts to create exciting flavor variations.
• Serve Immediately Fresh: Enjoy scones warm from the oven for optimal taste and melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Tasty Variations for Nigella Buttermilk Scones

• Gluten-Free Scones: Replace wheat flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend for a celiac-friendly version.
• Vegan Berry Scones: Swap buttermilk with almond milk, use coconut oil instead of butter, and add mixed berries for plant-based nutrition.
• Savory Herb Scones: Eliminate sugar, add grated cheese, chopped chives, and dried herbs like rosemary for a breakfast or brunch option.
• Low-Carb Cheese Scones: Use coconut flour, add sharp cheddar, and reduce overall carbohydrate content for keto diet followers.

What to Enjoy with Buttermilk Scones

• Brew the Perfect Tea Match: Serve Earl Grey or English Breakfast tea to complement the buttery scone's rich texture and highlight its delicate crumb.
• Create Delightful Jam Companions: Spread homemade strawberry, raspberry, or apricot preserves for a sweet and tangy flavor contrast that enhances the scone's subtle sweetness.
• Craft Creamy Butter Combinations: Offer European-style cultured butter or clotted cream for a luxurious spread that adds depth and richness to each bite.
• Design Elegant Cheese Accents: Pair with mild goat cheese or a soft brie to introduce a creamy, savory element that balances the scone's delicate sweetness.

Storage Tips for Buttermilk Scones by Nigella

• Store scones in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Keep them in a single layer to prevent sticking and maintain texture.
• Wrap individual scones tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze up to 2 months for best quality. Label with date.
• Warm in oven at 300F for 5-7 minutes. Restore crispness and fresh-baked taste without drying out.
• Defrost overnight in refrigerator. Warm in oven at 300F for 8-10 minutes until heated through and crispy on outside.

FAQs About Nigella Buttermilk Scones

• What are buttermilk scones?

Traditional British-style pastries made with buttermilk, flour, butter, and optional mix-ins like currants, originating from United Kingdom and typically served as a breakfast or tea-time treat.

• Can I make scones without buttermilk?

Yes, you can substitute buttermilk with regular milk mixed with lemon juice or vinegar, or use plain yogurt to achieve similar tangy flavor and texture.

• How do I achieve a flaky texture in scones?

Use very cold butter, handle the dough minimally, and avoid overworking the mixture to maintain large butter pieces that create tender, flaky layers when baked.

• Are scones best served fresh?

Absolutely. Scones are most delicious when served warm, right after baking, with a crisp exterior and soft, tender interior.

Billowy Buttermilk Scones Recipe

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4.5 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Delightful buttermilk scones bring British bakery charm straight to your kitchen, promising a perfectly flaky and tender treat. Served warm with clotted cream and jam, these scones offer a delectable breakfast or afternoon tea companion you’ll savor with pure culinary joy.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 3 cups (720 milliliters) flour
• 3/4 cup (170 grams) cold unsalted butter, cubed
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) buttermilk

Dry Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup (67 grams) sugar
• 1 teaspoon (5 grams) salt
• 2 1/2 teaspoons (12 grams) baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 grams) baking soda

Optional Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup (75 grams) currants

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Instructions

1. Prepare workspace by heating oven to 400F (200C) and gathering required mixing tools.
2. Combine dry ingredients in a spacious mixing bowl, ensuring thorough blending of flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda.
3. Incorporate cold butter into dry mixture using fingertips, gently breaking down butter until texture resembles coarse, uneven crumbs.
4. Introduce buttermilk into crumbly mixture, stirring minimally to maintain delicate consistency.
5. Gently fold currants throughout dough, distributing evenly without overmixing.
6. Transfer dough onto lightly floured surface, dividing into two equal portions.
7. Shape each portion into circular discs approximately 3/4 inch thick, maintaining uniform thickness.
8. Slice each circular disc into eight precise wedges using sharp knife.
9. Arrange wedges on prepared baking tray, leaving slight separation between each piece.
10. Delicately brush scone tops with heavy cream for enhanced golden appearance.
11. Position tray in preheated oven, baking for 15 minutes until edges turn rich golden brown and surfaces appear crisp.
12. Remove from oven and allow brief cooling before serving warm for optimal flavor and texture.

Notes

• Chill butter thoroughly before mixing to ensure flakier, more tender scones with distinct layers.
• Use cold buttermilk straight from the refrigerator to maintain dough’s optimal texture and prevent overworking.
• For gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a cup-for-cup gluten-free blend and add xanthan gum for better binding.
• Customize flavor by swapping currants with dried cranberries, blueberries, or chocolate chips to match personal preferences.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: British

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 210 kcal
• Sugar: 7 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg