1. Preheat the Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
3. Cut in the Butter:
- Add the cold cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry cutter or your fingertips, cut the butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. The key to fluffy scones is keeping the butter cold.
4. Combine Wet Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, mix the Ultramel custard, 1/4 cup milk, and vanilla extract.
5. Form the Dough:
- Gradually add the custard mixture to the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined. If the dough seems dry, you can add a little more milk, but the dough should be soft and slightly sticky.
6. Shape the Scones:
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently a few times to bring it together. Roll out the dough to about an inch thick.
- Use a round cutter or a glass to cut out scones. Press straight down without twisting to ensure an even rise. Re-roll any scraps to make additional scones.
7. Bake:
- Place the scones on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each. Brush the tops with a little milk for a golden finish.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the scones are golden brown and well-risen.
8. Prepare the Glaze (Optional):
- While the scones are cooling, whisk together the powdered sugar and Ultramel custard, adding a teaspoon of milk at a time until you reach a thick but pourable consistency.
- Drizzle the glaze over the cooled scones.
9. Serve:
- Serve the Ultramel scones warm or at room temperature. They are perfect as they are or with a dollop of whipped cream or a spread of butter.
Tips:
- Cold Ingredients: For the best texture, ensure your butter and milk are cold. This helps create those lovely, flaky layers.
- Handling the Dough: Handle the dough as little as possible to keep it tender. Overworking the dough can result in tough scones.
- Customizing: Feel free to add raisins, chopped nuts, or chocolate chips to the dough for extra flavor and texture.
Enjoy your Ultramel scones with a cup of tea or coffee for a truly comforting treat that’s perfect for any time of day!