Scones deserve more love! And if you’re here, I know you probably think the same. These scones are flaky but moist at the same time (as all scones should be). You can have one with coffee in the afternoon, they’re easy to make and give as gifts, and they taste great all around. These scones are flavored with vanilla bean paste, and topped with a vanilla bean glaze. Below you’ll find a bunch of tips and tricks on making scones that (I hope) are helpful. Happy baking!.
Scones are a delightful sweet or savory baked good that can be enjoyed any time of day. While most scones are made with ingredients like all-purpose flour sugar, butter, and fruit there is a unique scone variety that uses beans as the star ingredient the bean scone. This interesting twist on a classic pastry has an intriguing history and delicious flavor. In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at bean scones to understand what they are, where they come from, how they are made, and why they are growing in popularity across the globe.
A Brief History of Bean Scones
Bean scones have their origins in Asian cuisine. They likely originated in China or Japan, where beans are commonly used in desserts and pastries. The earliest recorded bean scone is the Japanese anpan, which consists of a sweet red bean paste filling encased in a soft dough. Anpan was created in 1874 by a baker named Yasubei Kimura, who operated a bakery called Kimuraya in Tokyo. This tasty bean-filled pastry quickly became popular across Japan.
The concept of bean scones spread to other parts of Asia and eventually made its way to Western countries as well. In particular bean scones became popular in the United Kingdom and Australia. British and Australian bakers started experimenting with savory varieties incorporating ingredients like cheddar cheese, onions, and herbs into the dough or filling. Today, creative bean scone recipes can be found all over the world.
What Are the Key Ingredients in Bean Scones?
While ingredients vary between recipes, most bean scones contain a few key components:
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Beans – The beans can be whole, mashed, or ground into flour. Popular varieties include navy beans, kidney beans, black beans, chickpeas and lentils. Beans add protein, fiber and nutrients.
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Flour – All-purpose flour or whole wheat flour provides structure Some recipes also incorporate bean flour
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Leavening – Baking powder or baking soda gives the scones a light, fluffy texture.
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Fat – Butter or oil contributes moisture and richness.
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Liquid – Milk, buttermilk or water hydrates the dough.
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Flavorings – Ingredients like sugar, salt, spices, herbs, onion, cheese and chocolate add taste.
By adjusting the proportions of these ingredients and playing around with different flavor combinations, bakers can create all sorts of unique bean scone varieties.
Savory Versus Sweet: How Bean Scones Are Enjoyed
One of the great things about bean scones is their versatility. They can be either savory or sweet depending on the preparation method and ingredients used.
Savory bean scones often take inspiration from the flavors of the beans themselves. They may include onions, garlic, herbs, spices, cheese and vegetables. Hearty and dense, these scones make a satisfying snack or light meal, perfect alongside soup or salad.
Sweet bean scones showcase the natural mild sweetness of beans. They are often made sweeter with the addition of sugar, chocolate, nuts or dried fruit. Sweet bean scones make an indulgent breakfast treat or midday pick-me-up, ideally served warm with tea or coffee.
Whether you prefer your bean scones sweet or savory, a smear of butter or jam can take them to the next level. The options are endless!
Step-By-Step Instructions for Making Bean Scones from Scratch
Making bean scones at home is simple. Follow these basic steps:
1. Prep the dry ingredients
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and any spices or herbs. You can use all-purpose flour or substitute up to 1⁄2 cup with bean flour.
2. Mash the beans
If using whole beans, cook them until very soft then mash them into a chunky paste. Canned beans can be used instead for convenience.
3. Cut in the butter
Using a fork or pastry cutter, cut cold butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. This helps incorporate air into the scones.
4. Add the wet ingredients
Stir in the mashed beans along with any additional wet ingredients like milk, buttermilk or yogurt. Mix just until combined but don’t overmix.
5. Knead and shape
Turn the shaggy dough out onto a floured surface. Knead briefly to bring it together adding extra flour if needed. Gently shape into a round disk about 3⁄4-inch thick.
6. Cut out scones
Use a biscuit cutter to cut out rounds from the dough. Reroll scraps to cut additional scones.
7. Bake
Bake at 400°F for 12-18 minutes until golden brown. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.
Making bean scones from scratch lets you control the ingredients resulting in a deliciously wholesome treat. Once you master the basic method, get creative with flavors!
Why Are Bean Scones Growing in Popularity?
In recent years, bean scones have exploded in popularity for several reasons:
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Nutrition – Beans pack a nutritional punch, providing protein, fiber, iron, potassium, magnesium and more. Bean scones are more nutrient-dense than traditional white flour scones.
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Texture – Cooked beans give the scones a pleasantly dense, cake-like crumb. This sets them apart from more biscuit-like scones.
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Flavor – Beans have a mild sweetness that pairs perfectly with both sweet and savory ingredients. Their versatility appeals to diverse palates.
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Vegan/gluten-free appeal – Bean flour allows bakers to make dairy-free, egg-free and/or gluten-free scones, broadening the appeal.
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Unique appeal – Bean scones offer something new and different for the scone lover. Their global inspirations attract foodies.
Home bakers, cafes and bakeries have all tapped into bean scones as a way to innovate within the realm of traditional baked goods. Their wholesome ingredients and customizable flair make them a hit.
In Summary
While once an Asian novelty, bean scones have secured their place as a beloved scone variety for people across cultures. Their unique taste and texture along with their outstanding nutrition have fueled this surge in popularity. Bothsweet and savory options showcase the incredible versatility of the humble bean. So next time you enjoy a traditional scone, why not switch it up with a bean scone? This inventive twist on a classic is delightfully nutritious and delicious.
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vanilla bean scones recipe q&a
Yes, you can! There are two ways you could go about this.
- The night before, make the scone dough and shape it. Then, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and put it in the freezer overnight. As the recipe says, you can bake these scones in the morning.
- To prepare even earlier, make the scone dough and shape it. Then, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. Freeze the dough for up to 1 month before baking. The scones can be baked from frozen; they just need a few more minutes in the oven.
Of course! Simply double all of the ingredients in the recipe and divide the dough into even circles. Even more strongly, if you are going to double the recipe, you should measure by weight for the best results.
As with most baked goods, these scones taste best the day they are made. However, they will keep well at room temperature for 3–5 days in an airtight container.
These are very much American scones. British scones are more like American biscuits and don’t have any eggs in them. In America, British biscuits are more like shortbread. These scones do have one egg in them, which makes them light, fluffy, and moist.
The #1 reason for baked goods coming out super dry is not measuring the flour properly. I really can’t stress how important it is to use a scale when baking! They might also come out dry if you kneaded the dough too much (only until it comes together) or if you browned the butter for too long and too much water evaporated.
There are three reasons this may have occurred –
- The dough was not chilled for long enough. Freeze the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking. This lets everything cool down again, which makes it easier to spread out in the oven.
- Your oven temperature is wrong. You might be shocked to learn that your oven is too hot or too cold if you don’t have an oven thermometer.
- Your baking powder might be expired. Putting some baking powder in a little water will let you know if it works. If it bubbles, it’s active, if not, it’s expired.
You can find all my favorite tools and ingredients that I use on my Amazon Storefront page, here!
how to make vanilla bean scones
Here are some photos of the process of making these vanilla scones. The full recipe can be found at the end of this blog post.
- Mix the egg, sour cream, and vanilla bean paste together in a small bowl using a whisk.
- In another bowl, cut the butter into the dry ingredients.
- Combine the wet and dry ingredients and mix them together until you get a dough that sticks together.
- The scones should be frozen first, then cut into 8 pieces and baked.
- Whisk all the vanilla bean glaze ingredients together. Sprinkle the glaze on top of the scones when they are cool enough to touch.
How to Make VANILLA BEAN SCONES | DIY Starbucks Homemade COPYCAT Vanilla Bean Scones
FAQ
What the heck is a scone?
What is a scone made of?
What is the American version of a scone?
What is the difference between a scone and a cake?