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Figgy Scones

4.1

(12)

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Figgy SconesRomulo Yanes

Drop scones are a boon for busy holiday bakers, since they're a snap to make and almost foolproof. These bake up light and fluffy. A touch of maple syrup and pieces of fig make them just sweet enough — ideal for breakfast or an afternoon snack.

Cooks' note:

Scones are best eaten the day they're made.

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    1 hr

  • Yield

    Makes 20 scones

Ingredients

3/4 cup well-shaken buttermilk
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons heavy cream
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1/2 lb dried Calmyrna figs, stems discarded and figs cut into 1/2-inch pieces (about 1 1/2 cups)
2 large egg yolks

Special Equipment

parchment paper

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Put oven racks in upper and lower thirds of oven and preheat oven to 400°F.

    Step 2

    Whisk together buttermilk, syrup, and 1/2 cup cream in a small bowl. Mix together flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda in bowl of a stand mixer with paddle attachment at low speed (or whisk in a large bowl) until combined. Add butter and mix (or blend with your fingertips or a pastry blender) until mixture resembles coarse meal with some small (roughly pea-size) butter lumps. Mix in figs, then add buttermilk mixture and mix until just combined. (Do not overmix.)

    Step 3

    Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper and drop 10 (1/4-cup) mounds of batter onto each sheet, leaving 1 inch between mounds.

    Step 4

    Whisk together yolks and remaining 2 tablespoons cream, then brush over tops of scones (use all of egg wash).

    Step 5

    Bake, switching position of baking sheets halfway through baking, until scones are puffed and golden, 20 to 25 minutes total.

    Step 6

    Transfer to a rack and cool to warm.

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