When my sweet parents returned home from serving an LDS mission in New Zealand, they had a big party with gifts for everyone in the family. For me and my sisters my cute Mom had collected tea sets. We each got a mismatched set of beautiful, made in England, china tea cups, plates and a tea pot. I absolutely LOVE these darling dishes. With a family of boys, it is so fun to have some sweet feminine items around like this (since flowery decor is so rare at my house)! I have added to the collection, so I have been able to get them out for my book club group from church. It is so fun! I love making fresh scones to go with a variety of herbal teas and having a fun evening with my girl friends.
The last time our book club met, I made these Vanilla Bean scones and we all loved them. I have never had Starbucks vanilla bean scones but I have been told that these are very similar, except they cut them into mini triangles. The pretty little flecks throughout the scones and in the glaze are the vanilla bean seeds that you get by scraping a split vanilla pod, or you can use vanilla bean paste like I normally do. I keep a bottle in my cupboard because it is SO much easier and faster than scraping a vanilla seed and right now it is more economical. Have you noticed how expensive vanilla is recently?! If you don’t have vanilla beans or the paste, you can use vanilla extract–but it will not be as good and you will be missing the little black flecks.
Be sure to not overcook these scones. You want them light golden brown, but still moist and tender.
By the way, the newest book we are reading for book club is: ‘Seek this Jesus’ by Neill Marriot. I just finished it and LOVED it! What a beautiful , down to earth book. It is short, easy to read and so inspiring!
My other book club is reading ‘The Zoo Keepers Wife’ which I am currently listening to on Audible and LOVE it too. I love historical novels. What are you reading?? I would love some recommendations!
xoxo
One Year Ago: Thai Curry Meatballs
Three Years Ago: Grandma’s Cinnamon Buns
Five Years Ago: Heart Shaped Carrots for Valentines Day
Seven Years Ago: Lindt Truffle Chocolate Cupcakes
Nine Years Ago: Ham Bone Bean Soup
Vanilla Bean Scones
Ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- ⅓ cup sugar (omit for savory variations-see below)
- 1 Tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup cold butter, butter into pieces
- I vanilla Bean, split and seeds scraped out OR 1 Tablespoon vanilla bean paste
- ¾ buttermilk or whipping cream
- extra cream or egg wash (1 egg mixed with 1 TB milk) for brushing the tops
Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- seeds scraped from 1 vanilla bean OR 1 Tablespoon vanilla Bean Paste
- 1 1/2 tablespoons cream or milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425.
- Stir together first four ingredients in a large bowl or food processor.
- Cut butter into the flour mixture using a pastry blender or by pulsing on food processor, until the mixture is crumbly and resembles small peas.
- Place mixture in freezer for 5 minutes is it seems warm ( I usually don’t need to do this because I start with very cold butter and work quickly).
- Add vanilla bean paste, vanilla beans or vanilla to buttermilk and add to dry mixture, stirring until just until dry ingredients are moistened. Turn dough onto baking mat (or marble slab or wax paper) , gently press or pat dough into a 7 inch round (mixture will be very crumbly) Cut round into 8 wedges (or 12 if desired–just cut down bake time a little) Place wedges about 2 inches a part on a parchment or silicone lined baking sheet (or lightly grease first). Brush tops with whipping cream or egg wash. Bake at 425 for 13-15 minutes until golden brown.
Recipe Source: Mel and Boys Kitchen –a simple variation of my favorite scone recipe found here
Hi Dezi,
I think I was planning on posting some savory scone ideas but must have forgotten to do it! I will do that soon. If you leave out the sugar–you can add some green onion, chives and same grated or cubed cheese…or chopped crispy bacon. Really what every you want! I will share a recipe soon. Thank you for the great book ideas! I am going to add those to my list!! I hope you enjoyed the scones for breakfast! xo
Hi Dezi,
I think I was planning on posting some savory scone ideas but must have forgotten to do it! I will do that soon. If you leave out the sugar–you can add some green onion, chives and same grated or cubed cheese…or chopped crispy bacon. Really what every you want! I will share a recipe soon. Thank you for the great book ideas! I am going to add those to my list!! I hope you enjoyed the scones for breakfast! xo
Yum! I’m going to make these for breakfast today.
The recipe mentioned leaving out the sugar for savory variations but then doesn’t mention it again. I haven’t heard of savory scones. Could you give a little more details?
Thanks for the book recommendations- I’m adding them to my list to read. Some of my favorites are A Fall of Marigolds and Secrets of a Charmed Life by Susan Meissner, The Nightingale and Winter Garden by Kristen Hannah and The Magic in Ordinary Days and The Uncertain Season by Ann Howard Creel.
Yum! I’m going to make these for breakfast today.
The recipe mentioned leaving out the sugar for savory variations but then doesn’t mention it again. I haven’t heard of savory scones. Could you give a little more details?
Thanks for the book recommendations- I’m adding them to my list to read. Some of my favorites are A Fall of Marigolds and Secrets of a Charmed Life by Susan Meissner, The Nightingale and Winter Garden by Kristen Hannah and The Magic in Ordinary Days and The Uncertain Season by Ann Howard Creel.
Cara,
Thanks so much! And thanks for the book recommendations! I am going to look those up– I have a trip coming up and I need a good book!
Cara,
Thanks so much! And thanks for the book recommendations! I am going to look those up– I have a trip coming up and I need a good book!
Hi! Love your blog. My favorite historical fiction is The Address, Liilac Girls, Circling the Sun, and Zelda.
Hi! Love your blog. My favorite historical fiction is The Address, Liilac Girls, Circling the Sun, and Zelda.