GAIL’s Bakery Sour Cherry & Dark Chocolate Drop Scones Recipe

About 12 scones

Ingredients

• 500g plain flour

• 150g caster sugar

• 1⁄2 tsp bicarbonate of soda

• 2 tsp baking powder

• 1⁄2 tsp fine sea salt

• 150g butter, chilled and diced

• 120ml double cream

• 175ml buttermilk

• 150g dried sour cherries, roughly chopped

• 150g dark chocolate, chopped into rough chunks

• Demerara sugar, for sprinkling

Instruction

1. Mix the flour, caster sugar, bicarbonate of soda, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing basin. Incorporate the extremely cold chopped butter and utilize your fingertips to blend it till the combination resembles coarse breadcrumbs. It is unnecessary to eradicate every single remnant of butter.

2. In a separate dish, combine the cream and buttermilk by whisking them together. Create a depression in the center of the flour mixture with your hands, then pour the liquid in a single motion. Shape one hand into a claw and gently maneuver it through the mixture to include the liquids, ensuring no dry ingredients remain unblended. You will end up with a highly adhesive, somewhat unattractive dough - do not be concerned, this is its intended appearance. Carefully incorporate the cherries and chocolate chunks, using your hands to properly distribute them throughout the dough.

3. Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper. Employ your hands to gather 12 substantial mounds of dough onto it, without striving for neatness — any irregular edges will become delightfully crispy, crunchy, and golden while baking. Maintain a minimum distance of 5cm between each scone, as they expand during baking. Utilize multiple baking sheets if necessary. Place in the freezer for a minimum of 30 minutes.

4. Preheat the oven to 170°C or gas mark 3. Remove the scones from the freezer, lightly dust with demerara sugar, and bake for 25–30 minutes until the edges are crisp and golden, while the interiors remain soft. Carefully elevate one with a spatula to verify that the base is thoroughly cooked and has achieved a uniform, deep golden hue.