Perfectly Buttery Cream Scones

Perfectly Buttery Cream Scones

Ingredients:
Basic Scone Recipe:
2 1/2 c. all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
1/3 c. sugar
1 tbsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. fine salt
1/2 c. (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut up
1 c. heavy whipping cream, divided
1 large egg, beaten
For Buttermilk Glaze:
1 c. confectioners' sugar
2 tbsp. buttermilk
1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
For Tangerine-Rosemary Scones:
1 tbsp. tangerine zest
1/3 c. tangerine marmalade, plus 1/4 cup more
1 tbsp. plus 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
rosemary sprig, to garnish
For Scallion and Feta Scones:
3 scallions, thinly sliced
4 oz. crumbled feta (about 1 cup)
2 tsp. cracked black pepper
For Blueberry Lavender Scones:
6 oz. blueberries
1 tbsp. lemon zest
2 tsp. lavender blossoms, finely crushed, plus more to garnish
For Ham, Jalapeño, and Cheddar Scones:
1/2 c. country ham
4 oz. extra sharp cheddar (about 1 cup)
1 jalapeño, minced, plus slices for garnish

Directions:
Preheat oven to 425°F. Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Cut butter into flour mixture with two forks or a pastry blender until crumbly and mixture resembles small peas. Freeze until butter is hard, 14 to 16 minutes. Add cream stirring with a fork just until dry ingredients are moistened. Gently knead into a ball in the bowl.

Turn dough out onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Pat dough into an 8-inch circle (about ¾- to 1-inch thick). Cut into 8 wedges; separate wedges about ½ inch. Brush with egg.

Bake, rotating baking sheet once, until golden brown and center is firm, 22 to 25 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack; cool 10 minutes. 

Drizzle with Buttermilk Glaze.

Make Buttermilk Glaze: Whisk together confectioners' sugar, buttermilk, and vanilla extract in a bowl until smooth.

Tangerine-Rosemary Scones

Omit Buttermilk Glaze. Whisk tangerine zest, 1/3 cup tangerine marmalade, and finely chopped fresh rosemary into cream. Microwave 1/4 cup tangerine marmalade and 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary until just melted. Brush over warm scones. Garnish with small rosemary sprig.

Scallion and Feta Scones
Reduce sugar to 2 tablespoons and omit Buttermilk Glaze. Toss scallions, crumbled feta, and cracked black pepper into flour mixture before adding cream.

Blueberry Lavender Scones:
Toss blueberries, lemon zest, and finely crushed lavender blossoms into flour mixture. Sprinkle glazed scones with a few lavender blossoms.

Ham, Jalapeño, and Cheddar Scones:
Reduce sugar to 2 tablespoons. Toss country ham, shredded extra sharp Cheddar, jalapeño into flour mixture. Top dough wedges with jalapeño slices before baking.