Mixed Berry Scones (Cook's Country)

By zircon50

To keep the (frozen) berries from bleeding into the dough, we tossed the berries in confectioners’ sugar. To get light and flaky scones, we discovered that treating the butter in two different ways was key. First, we processed half the butter until fully incorporated into the dough. Then, we added the remaining cold butter and processed it until small clumps remained, creating pockets of steam as the scones baked. A simple glaze of butter and honey adds a nice finish to the scones.

Ingredients

• SCONES:
• 1 3/4 c frozen mixed berries, roughly chopped
• 3 T powdered sugar
• 3 c flour
• 12 T cold butter, cut into 1/2" chunks, separated
• 1/3 c sugar
• 1 T baking powder
• 1 1/4 t salt
• 1 c milk
• 1 egg + 1 yolk
• GLAZE:
• 2 T butter
• 1 T honey

Preparation

Step 1

1. Preheat oven to 425* and line a jelly roll pan with parchment paper.
2. Toss berries in powdered sugar and set aside in freezer.
3. In food processor, combine flour, 6 Tablespoons butter, sugar, baking powder, and salt until butter is fully incorporated; add remaining butter and pulse until butter is reduced to pea-sized pieces.
4. Transfer mixture to a medium bowl and stir in berries.
5. In a separate small bowl, combine milk and eggs.
6. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour in egg mixture; using a rubber spatula, gently stir together, scraping down the edges of the bowl, until just combined. Don't overmix. Dough will look shaggy.
7. Turn the dough out on a well-floured surface and knead briefly until dough just comes together. Using a dough scraper, form the dough into a 12"x4" rectangle; cut dough into four equal rectangles, then cut each of those in half diagonally (8 triangles total).
8. Transfer scones to prepared pan and bake until light brown, about 15-18 minutes, rotating pan halfway through.
9. While the scones bake, combine butter and honey in a small microwave-safe bowl and heat until butter is melted; stir and set aside.
10. Remove scones from oven and brush tops with honey butter glaze. Return scones to oven and bake for an additional 5-8 minutes, until golden brown. Transfer to wire rack to cool for 10 minutes.

MAKES 8 SCONES

Work the dough as little as possible, just until it comes together. Work quickly to keep the butter and berries as cold as possible for the best results. Note that the butter is divided in this recipe. An equal amount of frozen blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, or strawberries (halved) can be used in place of the mixed berries.