Creating Ultramel Scones, inspired by Zizi’s Cake Delights, promises a delicious twist on the classic scone by incorporating the creamy sweetness of Ultramel custard into the dough. These scones offer a tender crumb and a delightful custard flavor, making them a perfect companion to your afternoon tea or coffee. Here’s a recipe to help you recreate a similar delightful experience at home.
Ingredients
For the Scones:
3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
1 cup Ultramel custard (or any vanilla custard if Ultramel is not available)
1 egg, for egg wash
Optional: 1/2 cup raisins or dried cranberries for added sweetness
For the Glaze (Optional):
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons Ultramel custard
1-2 tablespoons milk or cream, adjust for desired consistency
Preparation
- Preparing the Dough:
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Cut in Butter: Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry cutter or your fingertips, cut the butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining.
Add Ultramel Custard: Pour in the Ultramel custard and mix gently with a fork just until the dough comes together. If you’re adding raisins or dried cranberries, incorporate them in this step. - Shaping the Scones:
Preheat the Oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Shape the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it gently a few times. Pat the dough into a round disc about 1 inch thick. Using a floured cutter or knife, cut the dough into wedges or use a round cutter for circular scones.
Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the scones on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between them. - Baking:
Egg Wash: Beat the egg with a tablespoon of water. Brush the tops of the scones with this egg wash to give them a golden color upon baking.
Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until the scones are golden brown and well risen. - Preparing the Glaze:
While the scones are baking, mix the powdered sugar with Ultramel custard and milk or cream until smooth. The glaze should be thick yet pourable.
Cool the Scones: Let the scones cool on a wire rack for a few minutes before glazing. - Glazing and Serving:
Glaze the Scones: Drizzle or spread the glaze over the warm scones. Allow the glaze to set for a few minutes.
Serve: Enjoy the scones warm or at room temperature, ideally with a cup of tea or coffee.
Tips for Perfect Scones:
Cold Ingredients: Use cold butter and custard to ensure the scones are flaky and rise well.
Minimal Handling: Work the dough as little as possible to keep the scones tender. Overworking can result in tough scones.
Variations: Feel free to experiment with add-ins like chocolate chips or nuts for different flavors.