Golden Raisin Tea Scones

Sure! Let’s dive into the details of the Royal Tea Room Scones recipe from the Royal York Hotel in Toronto, crafted by George McNeill. This delightful treat is perfect for enjoying alongside afternoon tea or as a comforting bedtime snack. 🍵🌙

Royal Tea Room Scones Recipe

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 12 scones

Ingredients:

Instructions:

1. Preparation:

   • Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Grease a baking sheet lightly.

2. Mixing the Dry Ingredients:

   • In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt.

3. Incorporating the Butter:

   • Add the cold butter to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry blender or your fingertips, rub the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.

4. Adding Raisins (Optional):

   • Stir in the raisins into the flour mixture. This step is optional but adds a delightful sweetness and texture to the scones.

5. Preparing the Dough:

   • Create a well in the center of the flour mixture.

6. Mixing the Wet Ingredients:

   • In a small bowl, beat the eggs and milk together using a fork until well blended. Pour this mixture into the well you made in the flour mixture.

7. Combining the Dough:

   • With a fork, gently mix the wet and dry ingredients together using quick, light strokes. The dough should come together to form a soft, slightly sticky dough.

8. Kneading the Dough:

   • Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Press the dough into a ball and knead it gently about 10 times.

9. Shaping the Scones:

   • Pat the dough into a circle that is about 3/4 inch thick. Use a floured 1 1/2-inch round cutter to cut out scones from the dough.

10. Baking the Scones:

    • Place the cut-out scones onto the greased baking sheet. In a small bowl, beat the egg with a pinch of salt to make an egg wash. Lightly brush the tops of the scones with the egg wash.

11. Baking:

    • Bake the scones in the preheated oven at 425°F (220°C) for about 15 minutes, or until they turn golden brown on top.

12. Serving:

    • Once baked, remove the scones from the oven and let them cool slightly on a wire rack. Serve warm with strawberry preserves, clotted cream, and your favorite tea.

Nutritional Information (per serving):

• Calories: 151.1
• Total Fat: 5.7g
  • Saturated Fat: 3.1g
• Cholesterol: 64.5mg
• Sodium: 220.5mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 20.8g
  • Dietary Fiber: 0.6g
  • Sugars: 4.3g
• Protein: 4.1g

Tips for Perfect Scones:

• Cold Butter: Ensure your butter is cold when incorporating it into the flour mixture. This helps create a flaky texture in the scones.

• Gentle Mixing: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, use a fork and mix gently. Over-mixing can result in tough scones.

• Handling the Dough: Be gentle when kneading the dough. Overworking the dough can make the scones dense instead of light and fluffy.

• Baking Time: Keep an eye on the scones as they bake. They should be golden brown on top when done.

• Serve Fresh: Scones are best enjoyed fresh out of the oven or on the day they are baked. They can be reheated briefly in the oven if serving later.

Variations:

• Fruit Variations: Instead of raisins, try dried cranberries, chopped apricots, or blueberries.

• Flavor Additions: Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract or almond extract to the wet ingredients for added flavor.

• Glazes: Drizzle with a simple glaze made of powdered sugar and milk, or sprinkle with coarse sugar before baking for a sweet crunch.

These Royal Tea Room Scones are a wonderful addition to any tea time or special occasion. Whether you enjoy them with traditional toppings or experiment with different flavors, they are sure to be a hit! Enjoy baking and indulging in these delicious treats.