Monday, May 13, 2013

Apricot Cream Cheese Scones

 
Please join me for some apricot tea and apricot cream cheese scones in the garden!  I'm using my hand painted plate and matching tea cup from my late Aunt Kitty. 
 
 
I filled my lantern with some matching flowers and used my Royal Doulton figurine that my dear Dad bought my Mom, and Mom gifted to me. 
 
 
 
 
 
I just can't seem to get enough scones to try...so many choices!  I noticed this recipe on King Arthur Flour awhile back and tried it.  Oh my, are they ever good!  One of our sons said, "That's the best scone I've ever had!"   One tip for making scones that King Arthur gives, is to put the unbaked scones in the freezer for 30 minutes, which gives a higher rise to the baked scones.  You also can fully freeze the unbaked scones, put them in freezer-proof bags, and then take out what is needed, when needed,  and bake.  The scones will require an additional 5 minutes of baking time from the frozen state.     Here's the recipe:

  • 3 1/4 cups Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar 
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 (8 ounce) package cream or Neufchatel cheese
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter
  • 1 cup diced dried apricots
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (I think 1 t. of vanilla and 1 t. of almond would be good)
  • 1/4 cup milk, plus 1 to 2 tablespoons more, if needed
  • Sparkling sugar for garnish, optional

1) Preheat the oven to 400°F. Have on hand an ungreased baking sheet, or line with parchment.
 
2) In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.
 
3) Cut in the cream cheese and butter, using a pastry blender, fork, a mixer, or your fingers, until the chunks of butter are the size of peas.
 
4) Stir in the apricots.
 
5) In a separate container, whisk together the egg, vanilla and milk.
 
6) Add the wet ingredients to the dry, and stir with a fork until the dough is evenly moistened.
 
7) Turn the dough out onto a floured piece of parchment or waxed paper, and fold it over several times, until it holds together. Pat the dough into a 3/4" thick square or circle.
 
8) Cut the dough into squares, wedges, or diamonds. (I then put the scones in the freezer for 30 minutes and proceeded with the next step,  or freeze all of them and put in freezer-proof bags).
 
9) Brush the tops lightly with milk and sprinkle with sparkling white or pearl sugar. Place the scones about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
 
10) Bake for 18 minutes, until the tops are light golden brown. Serve hot, with clotted cream and jam or raspberry curd.
 
I made 16 scones. 
 
I am sharing this with:

               Thank you for your visit!  xo


34 comments:

  1. These sound delicious! I love your display as well. Following from HickoryTrail

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  2. Hi Kitty,

    I remember your hand-painted plate and teacup from a previous post; I just love them. Your Royal Doulton figurine is so lovely! If I'm not mistaken, I believe that Martha at Lines From Linderhof collects those figurines. What a sweet gift from your mom!

    Your scones look and sound delicious, as always, Kitty. Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful recipes with us each week. :) Have a great day my friend!

    Denise at Forest Manor

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  3. I love dried apricots, so I know I will love this recipe! did you have Earl Gray tea with it?

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  4. The hand painted teacup and plate are so pretty to use for tea in the garden and the RD figurine is sweet holding a butterfly.
    I like the ingredients for these scones, and if a guy raves about them, they must be good! Thanks for sharing your recipe.
    Judith

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  5. Your scones look delicious Kitty. I couldn't help but notice that cute fat red hen in your last post. So sweet! Thank you for sharing your recipe.
    ~Clara

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  6. Kitty your scones look and sound fabulous! (thanks for sharing the recipe). What a lovely setting you have set up ... I love all the thoughtfulness of each piece. Blessings, C. (HHL)

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  7. Hi Kitty,
    your scones looks as scrumptious as the setting is sweet. Thank you for sharing this recipe.
    Best greetings, Johanna

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  8. Hello Kitty,
    I love seeing your Aunt Kitty's painted teacups. They're so pretty. Your scones look delicious and if your guy raved about them then they must be good! The tip about putting them in the freezer is wonderful. Thanks for sharing the recipe and for joining me for tea. Have a lovely week, my friend.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  9. I don't think there are any better scones than these! How yummy. I hope you will be sharing this tomorrow with Tea In The Garden! Also, loved the teacups!

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  10. These scones sound like something Ma would like, she's an apricot fan! Great tip about 30 minutes in the freezer too. I see you're dining outdoors, we're still waiting for it to warm up a bit more here-enjoy:@)

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  11. Kitty Kitty - oh so pretty pretty! ;-} Love this recipe and the tips are so helpful too. Love all your beautiful dishes, especially that green plate. How I would love to sip apricot tea and share in your apricot scones - with cream cheese even!! So nice.

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  12. Oh Kitty, I'm going to have to make those scones! They sound so good! Love your tea set, what a treasure! Thanks for sharing your recipe!
    Hugs...Nancy

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  13. Kitty, those scones sound wonderful. I love apricot. Your tea set is so beautiful. Have a wonderful week.

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  14. I think I would like to try baking those scones...they sound delicious!

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  15. I am going to try these out for sure...they sound delicious!

    Cynthia

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  16. Kitty:
    Please post this on my Tea In The Garden Party!!! This is perfect!

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  17. These are SOOOO tempting looking Kitty! I am copying the recipe in hopes of trying them very soon. Thanks for the tip about first chilling them for a lighter texture & then freezing them so I don't eat them all in ONE DAY!! Yummo!

    I just bought a jar of Sara Beths Peach Apricot jam & I'm thinking I need scones to go with it.

    Hope you're having a fabulous week.
    Hugs,
    Rett

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  18. Kitty, I need a scone! LOL I'm putting scones on my list of things to do this week. I think the last time I made scones was two years ago. Your tea set is beautiful dear friend. xo

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  19. Lovely tea time in your garden, Kitty!

    I love your tablescape - and thanks for the scones recipe - have to try that one.

    We only use King Arthur flour here, it's the best!

    Hugs.

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  20. Your tea setting is really pretty. Love the Royal Doulton figure and your lantern and especially your hand-painted dishes. Your scones look great! I have never used King Arthur flour. What is it about it that makes it special and more costly?

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  21. Kitty, these really look good and I adore scones! Your hand painted plate, tea cup, and saucer are wonderful. It is so rare to see all three matching pieces together. Your Royal Doulton lady is so special - how wonderful that she belonged to your mother! Thanks for sharing this recipe!!

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  22. The scones look wonderful, Kitty.

    I love how you replicated the dish patter inside the lantern. So pretty!

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  23. Your scones sound wonderful Kitty, I love the freezer tip! Love your trayscape and your sweet Aunt Kitty's painted plate and teacup!

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  24. Yup...sending the link to this post directly to my Mom. She LOVES scones! I remember there were apricot trees in the side yard at my maternal grandparents' home when I was a kid growing up. I've not visited that house in years, so I'm not sure if they're still there and thriving or not. My cousin lives there, so I should make the effort to run by and see. This would make a great scone with lots of memories attached!!! I think my Mom will appreciate the tip about freezing the unbaked scones to help with the rise, too!

    Have a wonderful week, Kitty!!!

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  25. Your aunt was so talented...that plate is beautiful.
    Kitty, the King Arthur store is about 40 minutes from where I grew up...I try to go up there when I am in Vermont, mostly to see what is new! Personally, I prefer Robin Hood flour to KA, which I haven't seen in Kansas...see KA, though.
    Have a great week...

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  26. Kitty, were you named for your Aunt? What a lovely set, the plate and teacup! I think the beautiful figurine reminds me of you. I must must try these scones. Great tips. xo marlis

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  27. So pretty, just lovely.

    - The Tablescaper

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  28. Your scones look delicious and I love your lantern with the blooms inside. I will try your scone recipe at the weekend, can't wait! Chel x

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  29. I love scones and yours look lovely and so does your table:) Lynn @ Turnips 2 Tangerines

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  30. I adore scones, and beautiful teacups.

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  31. Scones are absolutely my favorite things to bake, AND eat, and these look scrumptious! I adore your decor too, especially that lovely figurine. Saw these at Foodie Friday and had to stop by. Pinning them right now!! :)
    ~April

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  32. I love scones, and this apricot recipe sounds great!

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  33. The scones look fabulous! I always use the same recipe, one I found in Everyday Food. I will try yours, the cream cheese must make them amazing.
    I love your lantern and pretty tea cup, such a lovely presentation!

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  34. Kitty, a lot of my friends think scones are too dry, but I love them. I will be pinning your recipe. Thanks for the tip about putting them in the refrigerator. Your setting is just beautiful! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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