Heavenly Blueberry Bliss Scones

1. Preheat Oven

Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C), ensuring it reaches the right temperature by the time your scones are ready to bake. This step is crucial as it allows the scones to start baking immediately, creating a nice rise and flaky texture.

2. Mix Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1/3 cup granulated sugar, and 1 tablespoon baking powder. Use a whisk to mix these dry ingredients thoroughly, ensuring the baking powder is evenly distributed. This helps in getting an even rise throughout the scones.

3. Add Butter

Next, take 1/2 cup of cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces, and add it to the flour mixture. Using a pastry cutter or two forks, cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, similar to small peas. This step is essential as the butter creates pockets of steam during baking, leading to a flaky texture.

4. Add Milk or Cream

Gently fold in 1/2 cup of milk or cream into the flour-butter mixture. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the scones tough. The dough should come together but remain slightly crumbly.

5. Add Blueberries

Add 1 cup of fresh blueberries to the dough, gently folding them in with a mixing spoon. Again, be gentle to avoid crushing the blueberries and making the dough too wet.

6. Shape Dough

On a lightly floured surface, shape the dough into a round, about 1-inch thick. Use your hands to gently pat and shape the dough without overworking it.

7. Cut Dough

Cut the dough round into 8 wedges using a knife or dough cutter. This will give you perfectly portioned scones that bake evenly.

8. Egg Wash and Sugar (Optional)

If you like, you can brush the tops of the scones with a beaten egg and sprinkle with additional sugar. This step is optional but gives the scones a beautiful golden color and a slight crunch on top.

9. Bake Scones

Place the scones on a baking sheet and bake them in your preheated oven for 25-30 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the edges turn golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

10. Cool Scones

Once baked, transfer the scones to a wire rack to cool until they're just warm to the touch. This cooling step helps them set and makes them easier to handle.