Tuesday, February 3, 2015

vanilla bean cream scones



Hello, beautiful (scone)!

That might sound like a silly introduction, but look at the vanilla bean specks and the amazing flaking in the these scones. YUM!




I love baking for my friends and family! 

So when my husband's friend's wife gave me a bag of vanilla beans from Mauritius (nearest landmass is Madagascar!), I squealed with delight as my mind raced with thoughts of all the amazing desserts that I was going to make with them.

First on my list . . . make my best friend, Alex, Vanilla Bean Cream Scones for her birthday! 

She enjoys scones as much as I do, so I was excited to gift her to this delightful treat.


~ a few of my Mauritius vanilla beans ~


I typically make my scones using a Sour Cream Scone recipe that I found several years ago, but I recently started using Cook's Illustrated's Simple Cream Scone recipe . . . and it's amazing!

Even my husband - who is QUITE particular - loved these scones. Now that's saying a lot!




There are so many scone recipes on the web that call for too much butter, 'special' flours, and even eggs . . . all of which - aren't necessary in making a tender and delicious scone.

Only a few ingredients need to go into them; and it's the ratio of butter, flour, and cream that can make - or break - a 'heavenly' one.

After many trials in their test kitchens in an effort to find the right ratios, it's no surprise that Cook's Illustrated gave us the perfect scone recipe. 

Although it's a really crumbly dough (and might seem too dry), I assure you that it will bake up a light and flaky scone. 





I use their Simple Cream Scone recipe as my base, and then add flavors like currants, cranberries & orange, vanilla beans, or dried strawberries for flavored versions.




I added vanilla beans in this version, and then drizzled them with a vanilla bean glaze . . . YUM!

If you love scones too, then I highly recommend giving this recipe a try; along with this amazing one, or this one for orange cardamom scones!

Enjoy!




vanilla bean cream scones
.     .     .     .     .
2 cups all purpose flour
3 Tablespoons sugar
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
5 Tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 1/4-inch pieces and chilled
1 cup heavy cream
2 vanilla beans, seeds scraped
.     .     .     .     .

Preparation
Adjust the oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 450 degrees F.

Line baking sheet with parchment paper.

Pulse flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt together in a food processor to combine, about 3 pulses.

Scatter butter evenly over top and continue to pulse until mixture resembles coarse meal with some slightly larger pieces of butter, about 12 more pulses.

*If you don't have a food processor, then a pastry cutter or fork will do just fine.

Split 2 vanilla beans and add the vanilla to 1 cup of heavy cream; stir to scatter and suspend vanilla beans.

Stir in cream until dough begins to form, about 30 seconds.

Turn dough and any floury bits out onto floured counter and knead until rough, slightly sticky ball forms, 5 to 10 seconds.

Take care NOT to over-work the dough. 

Pat dough into 9-inch round and cut into 8 wedges.

Place wedges on prepared baking sheet. Bake until tops of scones are lightly golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes, rotating baking sheet halfway through baking.

Prepare vanilla bean glaze.

Transfer baking sheet to wire rack and let cool for at least 10 minutes.

Drizzle vanilla bean glaze over the top of the scones.

Serve warm or at room temperature.

vanilla bean glaze
.       .      .       .       .       .    
3 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 cup confectioners’ sugar; sifted
1 vanilla bean, seeds scraped
3-5 Tablespoons cream
.       .      .       .       .       .   
In a medium bowl, prepare the glaze by mixing together the melted butter, 
confectioners’ sugar, vanilla bean seeds, and cream. 
Whisk until smooth. 
Drizzle on top of scones, or dip the tops into the glaze. 
.       .      .       .       .       .





LET'S STAY in touch!
.      .      .      .      .


Thank you for stopping by!
I love reading your comments and appreciate them so much!







42 comments:

  1. Yum! I'm sure your friend loved them! What a great idea!

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  2. They look so yummy! Could you substitute bottled vanilla, and if so, how much?

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    Replies
    1. Hi Joanne!
      Yes, you can substitute pure vanilla extract for vanilla beans . . . For this recipe, I would add 1 teaspoon pure vanilla to the scone batter and 1 teaspoon to the glaze.
      Think about investing in vanilla beans, and use them for special occasions! You'll be so happy you did :0)
      Have a great day!
      Suzanne

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  3. You have impeccable timing! I'm hosting a Tea for the ladies - and young ladies - of the family on Valentines Day. These will definitely be on the menu! Thank you! Barbara

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    Replies
    1. Hi Barbara!
      So happy you came by!
      Your friends will LOVE these scones. They're so pretty . . . and taste amazing!
      Remember to be light with your hands and not overwork the batter. Although it's a really crumbly dough (and might seem too dry), I assure you that it will bake up a light and flaky scone, YUM!
      Have a wonderful Valentine's weekend,
      Suzanne
      PS Please email me a photo of your Tea! Suzanne@tov.net

      Delete
  4. Oh my gosh! I love scones and these look absolutely delicious!! Can you believe I have never used a Vanilla Bean? Gotta do it!!
    hugs,
    Jann

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  5. I have never made a scone and only had one; for shame!!! These looks so soft and delicious and I do believe those vanilla specks were winking at me. My hubby is going to love these almost as much as I will!

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  6. I made these this morning. Had them with french pressed coffee. I must say they are fabulous. So light, moist and wonderful vanilla flavor. I used the vanilla bean paste. Awesome. Thank you so much for sharing your recipe. It,s a keeper.

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  7. Those flakes-yes!! You have a way of making your recipes so appealing through your words and images. I've never made scones, and I'm suddenly feeling like my life is incomplete ;). Can't wait to try them. Have a good week friend!

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  8. Wow, those look delicious Suzanne!! I haven't made scones in years, but these look way too good to pass up. :)

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  9. They ARE beautiful! And I can't wait to try the recipes.

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  10. Yum, I love scones! These look incredible. Thanks for sharing at What'd You Do This Weekend? I hope you'll join us again this Monday morning :)

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  11. Anonymous3:11 AM

    I adore vanilla beans, such a simple flavour yet so complex I love it. You lucky thing Suzanne to get such good vanilla beans, these scones looks wonderful! Thanks for linking up to Sweet and Savoury Sunday, stop by and link up again. Have a great day!! Laura@Baking in Pyjamas

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  12. Mmm, anything vanilla has me written all over it ,but scones...oh my goodness YUM!!! I have to try this -SOON!

    Paige.Rose

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  13. These scones certainly look like they want tucking into!

    Thanks for sharing at Marvelous Monday on Smart Party Planning.

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  14. These look really similar to my scone recipe! I'm desperate to try some vanilla bean glaze on top of mine but too cheap to buy vanilla beans. I might have to break down and treat myself!

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  15. I just bookmarked this. I looooove scones.

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  16. Oh I am going to get me some vanilla beans and try this , it seems a simple recipe and looks and sounds so good also looks so pretty

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  17. Hello, I will be making these as I trust your scone recipes as I made the pumpkin scones last fall and they were amazing! I always use fresh beans and make my own vanilla Thanks for sharing!
    Blessings, Roxy

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  18. Your recipes always look mouth-watering Suzanne!

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  19. These look delicious! I am envious of your vanilla bean coup!

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  20. These look fabulous! I make my own vanilla extract and I have some spare beans left over from my last batch. I am baking tomorrow and these will be on my list!

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  21. The only vanilla bean scones Ive ever had are Starbucks. I love vanilla. Im gona make these and pray they are moist morsels that fancy my tastebuds! lol.

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  22. Hi. Can the dough be frozen for Hess scones and baked a week later?

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  23. Hi can the dough be frozen?

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  24. Made these for a "Calendar Girl" tea party (the British movie about middle-aged women who make a "nude" calendar to raise money for charity). The scones were delicious. Even the women who normally don't like scones said they enjoyed them. I had only 2 vanilla beans so used 1 bean plus 1/2 t. vanilla in the dough and 1 bean in the glaze.
    Sue P. (I don't have my Last Home Before Heaven blog anymore but can't figure out how to comment otherwise.)

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  25. Very good recipe! Just made these scones. They not only turned out perfect but beautiful as well! It was the first time I used a real vanilla bean. However, my bean was old and hard to extract the seeds. I think I might invest in the vanilla bean paste!

    Great recipe though, one of the few I've found on Pinterest that I can actually say, "Nailed it" and it be true!

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  26. I hope this is my final look for the flaky scone that is light and airy!! So many like you say add butter which definitely makes it dense, thanks for sharing will try the this am and let you know!!!

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  27. BEST SCONES EVER, I made these for an Easter tea party this past Sunday and they are perfection!! Thank you for sharing, I will be making these again and again!! For fall, I will be trying your pumpkin scones, I bet they are just as delightful!!

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  28. Thanks for sharing.

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  30. Can these be frozen before icing?

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  31. I make your scones often for my tea room they are great. Thanks for the recipe!

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  32. These scones look amazing. I'm feel a little intimidated to make these. But I am sure going to try tomorrow. Never made scones before. I'm sure gonna try.

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  33. Hi its Mike again. Well I did it. I Made my scones this morning. My first time making them. They came out delightful. Thank you so much for the recipe. Will be making them again.

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  35. Can the dough be made ahead of time and baked later? Does it keep well in fridge or freezer?

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  36. Your Vanilla Bean Cream Scones recipe is an absolute delight! I tried making them over the weekend, and they were a hit with my family. Your blog is my go-to for delicious and foolproof recipes.
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