You might be surprised to learn that not only can you freeze scone dough, but you should freeze scone dough, and here's why...
Imagine having a freezer stocked with prepped scone dough, ready to bake at a moment's notice, allowing you the ability to offer an assortment of flavors without the hassle of preparing each batch separately!
If you're looking to streamline your baking routine and expand your offerings with ease, then frozen scone dough might just be the game-changer you've been seeking.
There's nothing quite like the delightful aroma and taste of freshly baked warm scones—light, soft, and perfect for pairing with a cup of afternoon tea. Having a system in place for enjoying fresh scones whenever the craving strikes ensures that you never have to settle for serving day-old ones again.
The Solution: Freezing Scones
Freezing scone dough is a game-changer for busy bakers and anyone who loves the taste of freshly baked scones without the time-consuming preparation. By taking the time to prepare a batch of scone dough in advance and freezing it, you can enjoy homemade scones whenever you want with minimal effort.
Why Freeze Scone Dough?
As an avid baker and lover of homemade treats, I've found that freezing scone dough offers numerous benefits that make it a staple in my kitchen:
Convenience: With frozen scone dough on hand, I can have freshly baked scones ready to enjoy in minutes, whether it's for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon snack.
Flexibility: By freezing individual portions of scone dough, I can bake as few or as many scones as I need without needing to bake a whole batch.
Quality: Freezing scone dough allows me to lock in the freshness and flavor of the dough at its peak, ensuring that every scone I bake tastes just as delicious as if it were made from scratch.
Variety: I can experiment with different flavors and mix-ins, such as chocolate chips, dried fruits, or nuts, and have a variety of scone options ready to bake whenever the craving strikes.
Keep reading to learn my favorite freezing process.
How to Freeze Scone Dough
Freezing unbaked dough is a simple process that can be done in just a few easy steps:
- Prepare your favorite scone dough recipe.
- Portion the dough, shaping it into rounds or wedges as desired. (This method also world for drop scones)
- Place the portions of dough on a cookie sheet lined with a sheet of parchment paper, making sure they're not touching each other.
- Transfer the baking sheet to a flat surface in the freezer and freeze the dough until solid, usually for about 1-2 hours.
- Once frozen, transfer the portions of dough to airtight sealed freezer bags or containers, removing as much air as possible before sealing.
- Label the bags or containers with the date and type of scone dough for easy identification.
Now that you have your scone dough prepared and frozen, let's talk about baking tips for perfect scones and reheating instructions.
Baking Tips for Perfect Scones
Follow these tips to ensure your scones turn out perfectly every time:
- Preheat your oven: Always preheat your oven before baking scones to ensure even baking and consistent results.
- Use frozen butter: Use a box grater to grate frozen butter before adding it into the flour
- Handle the dough gently: Avoid overworking the dough, as this can result in tough scones. Use a bench scraper for shaping and cutting the dough to maintain its light and flaky texture.
- Brush with heavy cream: Before baking, brush the tops of your scones with heavy cream for a golden-brown finish.Don't overbake: Keep a close eye on your scones as they bake, and remove them from the oven as soon as they're golden brown on top. Overbaking can lead to dry scones, so it's better to err on the side of slightly underbaked.
- Cool on a wire rack: Transfer your baked scones to a wire rack to cool slightly before serving. This allows excess moisture to escape and helps prevent soggy bottoms.
Baking Frozen Scones
To successfully bake frozen scone dough, follow these three key tips:
- Allow the scones to thaw at room temperature for 15 minutes before baking.
- Ensure your oven is preheated so the scones start baking immediately and rise properly.
- Adjust the baking time as needed. Frozen scone dough may need a few extra minutes to bake fully.
For best results, it's a good idea to test this method. Note the baking time and temperature that works best for you.
Cinnamon Chip Scone Recipe
Now, let's dive into my favorite scone recipe! I love this recipe because it has the perfect crumbly texture. It's perfect for making classic scones. But I love adding cinnamon chips to the dough for a little bit of crunch!
Cinnamon Chip Scones
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup frozen unsalted butter grated
- ½ cup heavy cream plus extra for brushing
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup cinnamon chips or your favorite flavored baking chips
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Add the cold grated butter to the dry ingredients and use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to work the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, egg, and vanilla extract.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Gently fold in the cinnamon chips.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and pat it into a circle about ¾ inch thick.(or thicker for taller scones)
- Cut the dough into wedges and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Using a pastry brush, brush the tops of the scones with heavy cream and sprinkle with turbinado sugar for added sweetness.
- Freeze the scone dough according to the instructions above, or bake scones immediately at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown.
Notes
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