ArcaMax

They may be called cream scones, but a big part of the magic of this treat comes from the butter. Adding little pieces of cold butter to the flour mixture (with the help of the food processor) creates little pockets of butter in the dough. When the scones are baking, the water in that butter turns into steam. That steam creates little pockets of air, which help the scones turn out super flaky.

The cream is not for nothing: It makes the scones taste deliciously rich. We like to serve these scones with our favorite jam — and sometimes even more butter!

Simple Cream Scones

Makes 8 scones

2 cups (10 ounces) all-­purpose flour

3 tablespoons sugar

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

5 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 1/4-­inch pieces and chilled

1 cup (8 ounces) heavy cream

1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 425 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Place flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a food processor. Process mixture for 3 seconds.

3. Sprinkle chilled butter over flour mixture. Pulse until mixture looks like coarse crumbs, about 10 seconds.

4. Transfer flour-­butter mixture to a large bowl. Add cream and use a rubber spatula to stir until just combined and no dry flour is visible. Do not overmix.

5. Transfer mixture to a clean counter and use your hands to gather and press mixture until dough forms and holds together, 5 to 10 seconds.

6. Use your hands to pat dough into an 8-inch circle, about 3/4-inch thick.

7. Use a bench scraper (or butter knife) to cut circle into 8 wedges. Transfer scones to a parchment-lined baking sheet.

8. Bake until scones are light brown on top, 10 to 14 minutes.

9. Remove baking sheet from oven and place on a cooling rack. Let scones cool on baking sheet for 15 minutes.

10. Transfer scones directly to a cooling rack. Let cool for 30 minutes before serving.

(For 25 years, home cooks have relied on America’s Test Kitchen for rigorously tested recipes developed by professional test cooks and vetted by 60,000 at-home recipe testers. The family of brands — which includes Cook’s Illustrated, Cook’s Country, and America’s Test Kitchen Kids — offers reliable recipes for cooks of all ages and skill levels. See more online at www.americastestkitchen.com/TCA.)

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