Fresh Berry Scones

Ingredients

Fresh berries

1 cup

Vanilla extract

1 teaspoon

Egg

1

Heavy cream

1/2 cup

Unsalted butter

1/2 cup, cold and diced

Salt

1/2 teaspoon

Baking powder

1 tablespoon

Sugar

1/4 cup

All-purpose flour

2 cups

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
2. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Stir to mix the dry ingredients well.
3. Add the cold, diced butter to the flour mixture. Use your fingers to rub the butter into the flour until it resembles coarse crumbs. This technique will ensure your scones have a rich, flaky texture.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, the beaten egg, and the vanilla extract until well combined.
5. Carefully pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix. Overmixing can lead to tough scones.
6. Gently fold in the fresh berries, distributing them evenly in the dough.
7. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead it gently a few times to bring it together into a cohesive mass.
8. Pat the dough into a 1-inch thick rectangle. Using a sharp knife, cut the dough into 8 equal-sized scones.
9. Place the scones on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they have enough space to expand during baking.
10. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the scones are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
11. Allow the scones to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This will prevent them from becoming soggy.