Chai Tea Scones

I recently became intrigued by a micro-trend on the internet: chai tea cookies. How brilliant, I thought, when I first stumbled upon this idea. Naturally, I had to spin these cookies into my own version and out came these herbaceous scones.

Peep that orange zest (not cheddar cheese!) and sprinkle of chai tea... oh yes.

These scones were curated in the middle of a restless night of sleep and naturally, I sprung out of bed to release this creative think the next morning. Everything about these scones hyped me up and boy, did they live up to that hype. The perfection in this bake has me asking why I haven't I been pouring a packet of chai tea in everything I make. Maybe that's what made these so special, though.

On a serious note, I've always felt scones are an overlooked pastry in a world where muffins, doughnuts, bagels, and cakes, etc. get all the love. Why is it we rarely opt in for the scone? This genuinely upsets me, but I must admit I'm guilty of it too.

Here's to giving scones the admiration they deserve in 2021 and turning your favorite chai tea latte into a buttery pastry. As always, may the inspiration found here find light in your kitchen.

XO//CATH

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THE RECIPE

for the scones...

1 1/2 cups flour

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cubed

1/4 cup sour cream

1/4 cup light cream

1 egg

1 packet chai tea

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp cinnamon

3/4 tsp salt

cream, for brushing

for the glaze...

1 cup powdered sugar

1 Tbsp milk

1 Tbsp orange zest

1 tsp vanilla extract

How to make it happen

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.

2. Put all dry ingredients (flour, sugars, baking powder, cinnamon, chai tea packet, and salt) into a bowl and whisk together.

3. Make sure butter is cold (I put mine in freezer for a few mins before cutting). Cube the butter. Add butter to the bowl and aggressively incorporate it into the dough. You want to get the butter into rice-sized pieces. 4. In a separate bowl, whisk egg, vanilla extract, cream, and sour cream. Add this wet mix to the dry ingredients and butter. Combine together with hands.

5. On a sanitized surface, sprinkle flour to lightly cover the area. Transfer your dough onto the floured space. Knead dough for about 1 minute, or until butter is spread throughout. If dough starts to get sticky, brush hands in a light layer of flour.

6. Once dough is finished, take a rolling pin to level dough out to about half an inch thick. Cut scones into 12 pieces (any shape of choice) using a dough cutter or a circular cookie cutter.

7. Place scones on lined cooking sheet and brush with cream. Let sit in freezer for 10 mins before baking. Bake at 375°F for 18 mins, or until lightly golden on edges.

8. While scones bake, combine all ingredients for glaze until powdered sugar dissolves. Set aside until scones are out of oven.

9. Take scones out of oven and let cool for about 10 minutes. Dunk the tops of each scone in glaze and let set for about 5 minutes until eating. Enjoy!

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