Scones are eaten all over the British Isles and anywhere the British settled around the world. They are biscuit-like pastries that are similar to quick breads, and can be either sweet or savory. Scones were first made in Scotland around 1513 and were made with oats and were griddle-baked. They became popular in England as part of the English tradition of “Afternoon Tea” when the Duchess of Bedford ordered her servants to bring some sweet breads to her along with her tea, in the late 18th century. She enjoyed them so much that they quickly became part of her daily routine, which grew into the British tradition of Afternoon Tea.
There are a couple of theories about how the name of scones, also known as skones, came about. One is that the word originated from the Dutch word “schoonbrot”, meaning beautiful bread. The other notion is that they were named scones after “The Stone of Destiny” where Scottish Kings were crowned. The second theory seems more plausible to me since scones were created in Scotland.
Scones vs. biscuits. What is the difference between the two? They are similar, but they are also different. Scones tend to be made with eggs, whereas biscuits are not. And scones are usually drier, more dense and flakier than biscuits are. Both, however, are very good.
My mother was born and raised in Southeast Texas and my dad emigrated to the United States from Australia after WWII . When my mom and dad first got married, my dad kept asking her to make him some “proper scones”. Bless her little heart, she tried and tried, but they just never came out quite right. After quite a few unsuccessful attempts at making scones, she gave up and made biscuits instead. My dad said those were exactly what he had been wanting her to make all along.
Today, scones come in many different varieties. Though I made my pepper and cheese scones for Easter, but we enjoyed them first with our Good Friday meal.
Scones with Pepper and Cheese
3 cups flour
3 tsp baking powder
2 tsp black pepper
1/2 cup butter, cold and cubed
1 tsp salt
4 strips of bacon, diced small and cooked
1 shallot, minced fine
1 cup buttermilk – I use dried buttermilk mixed with milk
1 egg
Preheat the oven to 400* F or 200* C.
Spray a baking sheet with coking spray.
Cook the bacon first until it is crispy.
In a food processor, pulse all the dry ingredients and the cold butter until it is crumbly like pieces of sand.
When the dry ingredients are blended together, mix in the bacon and cheese.
Then mix in the egg and buttermilk, saving about 1 TBSP for later. Mix everything together just until everything is well incorporated. Do not over mix, or you will loose all the flaky qualities you are looking for in your scones.
When everything is blended together, knead it on a lightly floured surface just long enough top form it into a ball. Then cut into 8 equal wedge portions.
Brush the remaining egg and buttermilk mixture over the top of the scones and on the sides. Bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until the scones are light and flaky and golden brown.
Slather them with butter while they are still warm and eat them up. Enjoy.
Stay safe and stay well Everyone. Happy Easter/Passover.
These look delicious Jeanne!💗
I’ve never eaten a scone!😳
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OHHHHHH!!!! So good! Happy Easter.
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Looks delicious! My wife makes blueberry or cranberry scones. I enjoyed reading about the history. Have a blessed and very happy Resurrection Sunday! God bless!
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Thank you. You as well. Blueberry AND cranberry scones both sound very good too.
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Thank you for sharing the love. happy Easter/Passover to you and your family. 🙂
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I love a good scone with Denonshire cream.
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Oh yeah! 🙂
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Love it! Scones are AMAZING!!
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Thank you. They came out so good! 🙂
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That’s interesting how the tradition of English Afternoon Tea originated.
I remember the first time I visited England which was back when I was 8 years old with my father, I visited a place called Woburn Abbey which wasn’t actually an abbey but was the family home of the Dukes of Bedford.
So I probably saw the place where English Afternoon Tea originated and never knew it until now. 😀
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Very cool! I love hearing stories like this. 🙂
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I love scones! Especially the savory ones.
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Then you are going to LOVE these. 🙂
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I’ll be looking back at some of your recipes this week. I’m doing some of the cooking to help my wife out. I’m having a good time.
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YAY!!!!!!! Please give me feedback on the recipes you try. Enjoy! 🙂
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I will… I’m going to start going through them and find something that we have the ingredients.
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Sounds like a good plan. 🙂
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These Scones look so delicious, love how flavorful they are 🙂
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Thank you. They came out so good. 🙂
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Mmmm. Scones. Now you’re talking. 👏
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They are so good. But sadly, they are almost gone now. I just might have to make some more. 🙂
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That sounds like a grand idea! 🤣
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I think so too. 🙂 🙂
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These Scones sound amazing!
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Thank you. We really enjoyed them a lot. 🙂
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