Easy Apple, Fig, Pecan & Honey Scones Recipe: A Cozy Tea Break Essential
In our increasingly fast-paced world, finding moments of tranquility can feel like a luxury. We often rush through our days, multitasking to an extent that blurs the lines between work, errands, and personal time. While I confess to drinking about seven cups of tea daily, most pass by in a blur as I juggle various tasks. However, there’s profound wisdom in pausing, stepping back from the relentless demands of a busy schedule, and simply breathing. Dedicating ten minutes to yourself – to truly relax, regroup, and savor a warm cup of tea – can profoundly refresh your mind, allowing you to return to your responsibilities with renewed focus and energy. This isn’t just a break; it’s a vital act of self-care.
Of course, a tea break truly isn’t complete without a delightful treat to accompany it. That’s precisely where these exquisite homemade apple, fig, pecan, and honey scones come into their own. They are wonderfully quick and easy to prepare, making them an ideal choice for a spontaneous baking session. These hearty, comforting scones provide a deeply satisfying snack, whether you’re battling the mid-morning “elevenses” hunger or facing the dreaded 4 pm slump. Imagine sinking your teeth into a warm, fluffy scone, perfectly complemented by your favorite brew – it’s an experience designed to soothe the soul and rejuvenate the spirit.
The Perfect Harmony of Flavors for Your Homemade Scones
The robust and warming flavors of these scones are absolutely perfect for the colder months, making them a quintessential autumn and winter bake. The combination of sweet, tender apple pieces, chewy dried figs, crunchy pecans, and a generous touch of golden honey creates a symphony of textures and tastes. Each ingredient plays a crucial role: the apples add a refreshing moisture and subtle tang, while the figs contribute an earthy sweetness and delightful chewiness. Pecans introduce a buttery crunch and nutty depth, and honey binds it all together with its unique floral notes, both in the dough and the luxurious glaze. I’ve added just a hint of warming spices – cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg – to enhance the overall coziness without overpowering the delicate fruit and nut flavors. If you prefer a bolder, spicier kick, feel free to double the amount of spices; these scones are versatile enough to accommodate your taste.
Serving and Storing Your Delicious Scones
These apple, fig, pecan, and honey scones require minimal fuss when serving. They are utterly delightful with nothing more than a generous slathering of good quality butter and an extra drizzle of honey – and, of course, a steaming cup of tea. For those who enjoy a more traditional spread, a dollop of clotted cream or a spoonful of your favorite fruit jam would also be a fantastic accompaniment, though the scones themselves are rich and flavorful enough to stand alone. One of the best features of this recipe is its make-ahead potential. Once baked and cooled, these delicious scones can be frozen, ensuring you always have a comforting treat on hand for whenever a tea break calls. Simply allow them to defrost at room temperature for an hour or two, then refresh them in a low oven (around 150°C/300°F) for about five minutes to restore their freshly baked warmth and tenderness before serving. This convenience makes them an ideal choice for meal prepping or unexpected guests.
Elevate Your Tea Experience with JING Tea
To further enhance my tea breaks, I was fortunate to receive some wonderful products from JING Tea. Their philosophy revolves around bringing the pure, intense experience of loose leaf tea to every cup, and their products certainly deliver. One standout item is their hand-blown glass tea infuser mug – an absolutely beautiful piece of craftsmanship that seamlessly combines elegance with practicality. This ingenious mug allows you to enjoy the full flavor and aroma of loose leaf tea wherever you are, without the need for additional teapots or strainers. The clever design features a lid that, when inverted, becomes a convenient receptacle for the infuser section once your tea has brewed, eliminating any mess or drips. As an added touch, the mug comes with a charming little sand timer, ensuring your tea is steeped to absolute perfection – never too weak, and never too strong. This attention to detail transforms a simple tea preparation into a mindful ritual.
In addition to the exquisite infuser mug, I also received caddies of their loose leaf Chai tea and Earl Grey. These are truly exceptional teas, offering a depth of flavor and aromatic complexity far superior to what you typically find in standard tea bags. The Chai is a warming, spicy blend that invigorates the senses, while the Earl Grey boasts a bright, distinctive bergamot aroma that is both uplifting and comforting. Any of these JING Tea products – whether the elegant infuser mug or the premium loose leaf teas – would make truly thoughtful and impressive gifts, especially with the festive season approaching at a rather frightening pace. They offer not just a product, but an invitation to a more refined and enjoyable tea experience, perfect for any tea lover.
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Apple, Fig, Pecan & Honey Scones
Ingredients
Scones
- 450 g (3 + ¾cups) self-raising flour
- 2 rounded tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- pinch salt
- 85 g (⅓ cup) cool butter, cubed
- 160 g (5.5 oz) dried figs, roughly chopped
- 1 large eating apple peeled and diced
- 75 g (2.5 oz) pecans, roughly chopped
- 5 tbsp honey
- 2 large eggs
- 100 ml 91/3 cup + 1 tbsp) full fat milk, plus extra for glazing
To Glaze
- 25 g 9scant 2 tbsp) butter
- 1 tbsp honey
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 220C/425F/Gas Mark 7. Line a baking sheet with baking parchment to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
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In a large mixing bowl, sift together the self-raising flour, baking powder, cinnamon, ground ginger, ground nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. This step ensures an even distribution of ingredients and a lighter scone. Add the cool, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Using your fingertips, gently rub the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles fine breadcrumbs. This technique is key to achieving a light, flaky texture. Stir in the chopped dried figs, diced apple, and roughly chopped pecans, ensuring they are well distributed throughout the mixture.
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In a separate bowl, whisk together the honey, large eggs, and full-fat milk until thoroughly combined. Make a well in the center of your dry ingredients and pour in the wet mixture. Using a butter knife or your hands, mix until a soft, shaggy dough forms. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough scones. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently shape it into a ball. Then, flatten the ball into a round disc, about 2-3 cm (approximately 1 inch) thick.
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Dip a sharp knife in flour to prevent sticking, then use it to cut the dough disc into eight equal wedges. Carefully transfer these wedges to your prepared baking sheet, leaving a slight space between each one. This spacing is important as the scones will rise and spread during baking.
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Brush the top of each scone wedge with a little extra milk. This helps create a beautiful golden-brown crust. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the scones are gloriously risen, golden in color, and cooked all the way through. To check for doneness, insert a skewer into the center of a scone; it should come out clean. Once baked, carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool slightly.
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While the scones are still warm and baking, prepare the delightful honey butter glaze. In a small saucepan, gently heat the butter and honey together over low heat until completely melted and smooth. As soon as the scones emerge from the oven, use a pastry brush to give each one a generous coating of this sweet, shimmering glaze. The warm scones will absorb the glaze, adding an extra layer of moisture and sweetness.
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For best results, these scones are most delicious on the day they are baked, when their crust is crisp and their interior is wonderfully soft. Store any leftovers in an airtight container to maintain their freshness. They will remain moist and enjoyable the following day. If you have any remaining after two days, they are best enjoyed split in half and lightly toasted, perhaps under a grill or in a toaster, to revive their texture. As mentioned earlier, they freeze exceptionally well. Simply allow them to defrost completely at room temperature, then refresh them in a low oven for approximately 5 minutes before serving to enjoy that “freshly baked” taste once more.
Tips for Scone Success: Achieving Bakery-Quality Results at Home
Creating truly exceptional scones is a rewarding baking endeavor, and a few key techniques can elevate your homemade treats to bakery-quality standards. Firstly, always ensure your butter is very cold and cubed. This is crucial because when cold butter melts in the hot oven, it creates pockets of steam that contribute to the scones’ signature flaky, light texture. If the butter is too warm, it will incorporate too thoroughly into the flour, resulting in a dense, cake-like scone. Secondly, avoid overmixing the dough. Overworking the dough develops the gluten in the flour, which can lead to tough, chewy scones rather than light and tender ones. Mix just until the ingredients are combined and a shaggy dough forms, then gently bring it together on a floured surface. Minimal handling is key to a tender crumb.
When cutting your scones, whether into wedges or using a round cutter, try to make clean cuts without twisting the cutter. Twisting can seal the edges of the scone, hindering its rise. For wedges, a sharp knife dipped in flour works wonders. Finally, ensure your oven is preheated to the correct temperature. A hot oven is essential for a good “oven spring,” which is the rapid rise that happens when the cold scone dough hits the high heat. This creates that desirable tall, fluffy scone. Following these simple tips will help you achieve perfect, mouth-watering apple, fig, pecan, and honey scones every time.
The Ritual of Tea and Scones: A Time-Honored Tradition
The combination of tea and scones is more than just a snack; it’s a cherished ritual, a symbol of hospitality, and a comforting pause in the day. Whether it’s a full English afternoon tea spread or a simple, quiet moment alone, the act of preparing and enjoying a hot cup of tea with a freshly baked scone is deeply satisfying. It’s an opportunity to engage your senses – the aroma of the brewing tea, the warmth of the mug, the inviting scent of a spiced scone, the rich taste of the fruit and nuts, and the delicate texture. This particular recipe, with its seasonal fruits and warming spices, perfectly embodies the cozy comfort that one seeks during such a break. It transforms an ordinary moment into a special occasion, reminding us to slow down, appreciate the simple pleasures, and nurture ourselves. So, take a moment, brew your favorite JING tea, and indulge in these homemade apple, fig, pecan, and honey scones – a truly perfect pairing for any time of day.
I was provided with some products by JING, however I was not paid to write this post and all opinions are my own.