Delightful Apricot Cream Cheese Scones
As the crisp air of autumn settles in, there's nothing quite like the aroma of freshly baked scones wafting through your home. These Delightful Apricot Cream Cheese Scones blend the rich, creamy texture of cream cheese with the sweet, chewy goodness of dried apricots. Each bite is an invitation to indulge in a warm, flaky treat that's perfect for breakfast or an afternoon tea. Pair them with clotted cream and your favorite jam for an unforgettable experience that will surely warm your heart on those chilly days.
18
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
all-purpose flour
3 1/4 cups (unbleached)
granulated sugar
1/2 cup
baking powder
2 1/2 teaspoons
salt
1/2 teaspoon
cream cheese
8 ounces (cold)
butter
1/2 cup (cold)
dried apricot
1 cup (diced)
large egg
1
vanilla extract
2 teaspoons
milk
1/4 cup
sparkling white sugar
to taste (for topping)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or leaving it ungreased.
2
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
3
Using your fingers, a pastry blender, or a mixer, cut the cold cream cheese and butter into the dry mixture until it resembles coarse cornmeal.
4
Gently fold in the diced dried apricots, ensuring they’re evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
5
In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, vanilla extract, and milk until smooth.
6
Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the liquid mixture. Stir gently until just combined; be careful not to overmix, as this can make the scones tough.
7
Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and fold it over a few times until it holds together. Pat the dough into a rectangle about 3/4 inch thick.
8
Cut the dough using a round cutter or knife into squares or diamonds, gathering scraps and re-rolling as necessary.
9
Brush the tops lightly with milk and sprinkle generously with sparkling white sugar for added sweetness and crunch.
10
Space the scones approximately 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
11
Bake in the preheated oven for 8 minutes. Turn the oven off but leave the scones inside with the door closed for an additional 8 minutes, until they are a light golden brown.
12
Serve warm, with clotted cream and your favorite jam or possibly some raspberry curd for a delightful finishing touch.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the recipe for Delightful Apricot Cream Cheese Scones?
This recipe is for warm, flaky scones that blend the creamy texture of cream cheese with the sweet, chewy goodness of dried apricots, perfect for autumn days.
How many servings does this scone recipe produce?
This recipe makes 18 servings.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 425°F (220°C).
How should I prepare the baking sheet?
You can either line the baking sheet with parchment paper or leave it ungreased.
What type of flour is recommended for these scones?
The recipe calls for 3 1/4 cups of unbleached all-purpose flour.
Should the cream cheese and butter be cold or at room temperature?
Both the cream cheese and the butter should be used cold.
What is the desired texture after cutting the fats into the flour?
The mixture should resemble coarse cornmeal.
How should the dried apricots be prepared?
The dried apricots should be diced and gently folded into the mixture.
What ingredients are in the wet mixture?
The wet mixture consists of one large egg, two teaspoons of vanilla extract, and 1/4 cup of milk.
Why is it important not to overmix the scone dough?
Overmixing the dough can make the scones tough rather than light and flaky.
How thick should I pat the dough before cutting?
The dough should be patted into a rectangle approximately 3/4 inch thick.
What shapes can I cut the scones into?
You can use a round cutter or a knife to cut the dough into squares or diamonds.
What is used to brush the tops of the scones?
The tops should be brushed lightly with milk before baking.
How do I achieve a crunchy, sweet topping?
Sprinkle the tops generously with sparkling white sugar before they go into the oven.
How much space should be left between scones on the baking sheet?
Space the scones approximately 2 inches apart.
What is the initial baking time?
The scones should bake in the preheated oven for 8 minutes initially.
What is the unique baking step after the initial 8 minutes?
You should turn the oven off but leave the scones inside with the door closed for an additional 8 minutes.
How can I tell when the scones are finished baking?
The scones are ready when they have reached a light golden brown color.
How should these apricot scones be served?
They are best served warm, accompanied by clotted cream and your favorite jam.
What is a suggested alternative topping for serving?
Raspberry curd is mentioned as a delightful finishing touch for these scones.
What tools can I use to cut the fat into the flour?
You can use your fingers, a pastry blender, or a mixer.
How much sugar is in the scone dough?
The recipe requires 1/2 cup of granulated sugar.
Is baking powder used in this recipe?
Yes, the recipe uses 2 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder.
How much salt is needed?
The recipe calls for 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
How many apricots are needed?
You will need 1 cup of diced dried apricots.
What kind of vanilla extract should I use?
The recipe specifies 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract.
What meal occasions are these scones suitable for?
They are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or afternoon tea.
Can I re-roll the dough scraps?
Yes, you should gather the scraps and re-roll them as necessary to use all the dough.
What season inspired this recipe?
The recipe is inspired by the crisp air and chilly days of autumn.
What category of food does this recipe belong to?
This recipe is categorized under Scones.