Baker Jane Dunn shares her secret to making the perfect scones using buttermilk. Find out how to achieve a gorgeous rise and delightful taste.
Scones are a beloved staple of afternoon tea, known for their fluffy texture and delightful taste. Achieving the perfect scone can be a challenge, but baker and social media personality Jane Dunn, known as Jane’s Patisseriehas shared her secret to making the ideal scone using an unexpected ingredient: buttermilk.
The key to Jane’s recipe lies in the use of buttermilk, which helps scones rise beautifully and creates a lighter, more delicate texture. This ingredient interacts with chemical raising agents to produce carbon dioxide bubbles, resulting in a superior rise and a fluffier consistency.
Jane’s method is straightforward and doesn’t require any special equipment, making it accessible for anyone to try at home.
Why Buttermilk Makes the Perfect Scone
The acidity in buttermilk plays a crucial role in the baking process. It reacts with bicarbonate of soda or baking powder to create carbon dioxide, which helps the scones rise.
Additionally, the acid weakens the gluten, resulting in a more delicate and less dense texture. Jane emphasizes the importance of not overworking the dough to maintain the scones’ lightness.
In a recent TikTok clip, Jane demonstrated her scone-making process, highlighting the simplicity and effectiveness of her recipe. She noted that making your own buttermilk is both cost-effective and easy. To create buttermilk at home, simply mix 250ml of milk with one tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar and let it rest for five minutes before using it in your recipe.
Jane Dunn’s Buttermilk Scones Recipe
Jane’s recipe is designed to be simple and foolproof. Here’s how you can make her delicious buttermilk scones at home:
Ingredients
- 475g self-raising flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- A pinch of salt
- 175g unsalted buttercold and cubed
- 75g caster sugar
- 175ml buttermilk
- 1 tsp vanilla
- Milk or egg wash for brushing
Method
- Preheat your oven to 220℃/200℃ and prepare a large oven tray.
- In a bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, butter, and sugar. Use your fingertips to rub the mixture together until it resembles breadcrumbs.
- Pour in the buttermilk and vanilla, and mix gently until combined. Jane uses a spatula and her hands for this step.
- Gently flatten the dough onto a floured work surface to approximately 3-4cm thickness. Use a floured cutter to cut out shapes, avoiding twisting when removing them.
- Arrange the scones onto the preheated tray and brush the tops with egg wash or milk.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden.
- Allow the scones to cool for 15-20 minutes before serving with clotted cream and jam.
The Debate: Jam First or Cream First?
Jane’s recipe has sparked a lively debate among scone enthusiasts. In the video’s caption, she playfully addressed the age-old question: Jam first, or cream first? Regardless of where you stand on this issue, Jane’s buttermilk scones are sure to delight. Her recipe has received widespread praise, with viewers appreciating the gorgeous rise and delicious taste.
Jane’s video has garnered over 24,700 views, with many viewers expressing their enthusiasm for her recipe. Comments like I luv a scone! I am also jam first gal and Jam first, they look delicious highlight the positive reception of her buttermilk scones. The recipe’s simplicity and the use of homemade buttermilk have also been praised, with one viewer noting, Agree I just make my own buttermilk too.
For those looking to elevate their afternoon tea experience, Jane Dunn’s buttermilk scones recipe is a must-try. The combination of fluffy texture, delightful taste, and the secret ingredient of buttermilk makes these scones a standout treat. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner, this recipe is sure to impress.
