Baker and social media personality Jane Dunn, known as Jane's Patisserie, has revealed her beloved scone recipe that incorporates an unexpected ingredient to achieve the ideal consistency. In a recent TikTok clip, she demonstrated how straightforward it is to prepare scones from scratch. The secret component is buttermilk.
Why Buttermilk Works
Buttermilk helps scones rise by providing acidity that interacts with chemical raising agents, typically bicarbonate of soda or baking powder, to produce carbon dioxide bubbles. This yields a superior rise and a fluffier, airier texture. The acid also weakens gluten, creating a more delicate, less heavy, and taller scone.
Jane's Tips
In the video, Jane said: 'This is a delicious buttermilk based recipe, and personally, I like to make my own buttermilk because I think it's far cheaper and far easier.' The appeal of her recipe is that it can be completed manually without a food processor. The key to a quality scone is to 'not overwork the dough.'
She noted in the caption: 'So many debates when it comes to scones! Is it scone as in cone? Or scone as in gone? Jam first, or cream first? No matter where you stand, these buttermilk scones taste delicious and have a gorgeous rise on them thanks to the buttermilk.'
How to Make Buttermilk at Home
If buttermilk is hard to find, you can make it yourself by combining 250ml of milk with one tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar. Let the mixture rest for five minutes before adding it to your scone mix.
Reactions
Jane's video has garnered over 24,700 views, 726 likes, and 12 comments. Fans praised the recipe, with one saying, 'I luv a scone! I am also jam first gal.' Another commented, 'Jam first, they look delicious.'
Buttermilk Scones Recipe
Ingredients:
- 475g self-raising flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- A pinch of salt
- 175g unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 75g caster sugar
- 175ml buttermilk
- 1 tsp vanilla
- Milk or egg wash
Method:
- Preheat the oven to 220°C/200°C and preheat a large oven tray.
- Combine flour, baking powder, salt, butter, and sugar in a bowl. Rub with fingertips until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.
- Pour in buttermilk and vanilla, mix minimally until combined. Use a spatula and hands.
- Gently flatten on a floured surface to 3-4cm thickness. Use a floured cutter to cut shapes without twisting. A 5-6cm cutter makes 8-10 scones.
- Arrange on the preheated tray. Brush tops with egg wash or milk.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden.
- Cool for 15-20 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature with clotted cream and jam.
