emon
Ginger Scones combine the fruity citrus flavor of lemon with the warm, sweet,
yet spicy flavor of crystallized ginger. These scones are similar to the Coffeehouse
Scone recipe on the site and again, we are using buttermilk, instead of heavy cream
to moisten the dough. Buttermilk makes a
lighter, more bread-like scone which is the perfect backdrop for the crystallized ginger and lemon zest.
Crystallized ginger is ginger that has
been cooked in a sugar syrup and then coated with sugar. You can buy crystallized or candied ginger in small tins at specialty grocery
stores or in bulk form from health food stores. It will last
indefinitely if stored in a cool dry place. Lemon zest is the yellow outer
rind of the lemon that contains the fruit's flavor and perfume. To remove the
zest I like to use either a box grater or a Microplane
Citrus Grater or Rasp. These tools are relatively new and this stainless steel hand held
grater was originally designed as a woodworking tool. The tiny sharp-holed
utensil can either be hand held or be a foot long rasp similar to the
woodworking tool.
If you are not
familiar with buttermilk it has a nice thick creamy texture with a rich tangy
buttery taste that makes baked goods tender. Whereas in the past buttermilk was
made from the liquid left over after churning butter, it is now commercially
made by adding a bacteria to whole, skim, or low fat milk. You can make your own
buttermilk though by adding 1 tablespoon of white distilled vinegar, cider
vinegar, or lemon juice to 1 cup (240 ml) of milk. Just stir the vinegar into
the milk and then let it stand 5 to 10 minutes before using.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) and place rack in middle of oven. Line a cookie sheet
with parchment paper.
In a large
bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Cut the butter
into small pieces and blend into the flour mixture with a pastry blender or two
knives. The mixture should look like coarse crumbs. Stir in the
chopped crystallized ginger and lemon zest. Add the buttermilk to the
flour mixture and stir just until the dough comes together. Do not over mix the
dough.
Transfer to a lightly floured surface and
knead
dough gently four or five times and then pat the dough into a circle
that is about 7 inches (18 cm) round and about 11/2 inches (3.75 cm) thick. Cut this
circle in half, then cut each half into 3 or 4 pie-shaped wedges (triangles). Place the scones on the baking sheet. Make an egg wash of one well-beaten egg
mixed with 1
tablespoon milk and brush the tops of the scones with this mixture.
Bake
for about 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the
middle comes out clean. Remove from oven and then turn your broiler on high.
Sift confectioners (powdered or icing) sugar heavily over the tops of the scones
and place them under the broiler. Broil for just a few seconds, turning the pan
as necessary, until the sugar has melted and turns golden brown. Make sure to
watch the scones carefully as the sugar will burn very quickly. Transfer to a
wire rack to cool.
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