Why are my chocolate chip scones dry?+
Dry scones are usually caused by adding too much flour, mixing the dough for too long or baking them for a few extra minutes. The dough should look slightly rough and just hold together when pressed. Using cold double cream instead of milk also helps create a softer richer texture. Check the scones a couple of minutes before the suggested baking time as every oven is a little different.
What's the secret to making good scones?+
The biggest secret is keeping everything as cold as possible. Cold butter creates little pockets of steam in the oven giving the scones a light flaky texture. Mix the dough only until the flour disappears, then fold it a few times instead of kneading. Chilling the shaped scones before baking also helps them rise higher and hold their shape.
Can I make chocolate chip scone dough ahead of time?+
Yes. You can prepare the dough, cut it into triangles and keep it covered in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking. You can also freeze the unbaked scones for up to 3 months. Bake them straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time. This is a great way to enjoy freshly baked scones whenever you fancy them.
How do I store homemade chocolate chip scones?+
Store cooled scones in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To bring them back to life, warm them in the oven for about 5 minutes. If you want to keep them for longer, freeze them once they have cooled completely. A quick warm through in the oven makes them taste almost as good as freshly baked.
Can I use milk instead of heavy cream in scones?+
Yes but the texture will be a little different. Heavy cream makes the scones richer, softer and more tender while milk creates a slightly lighter texture that can be a little less forgiving if the dough is overmixed. If you only have milk, the recipe will still work but cream gives the best bakery style results. After making many batches of these for our tea time snacks this is what we found gives the best taste and end result.
Why didn't my scones rise?+
Flat scones are often caused by warm butter, old baking powder or overworking the dough. Make sure your baking powder is fresh, keep the butter cold from start to finish and avoid kneading the dough. Chilling the cut scones before they go into the oven also helps them bake up taller with beautifully flaky layers and crisp edges.
