A Taste of Tradition: Appalachian Lady Grey Tea Scones

A Taste of Tradition: Appalachian Lady Grey Tea Scones

Inspired by the rolling hills and citrus-infused flavors of the Appalachian mountains, our Appalachian Lady Grey Tea Scones bring together the delicate, floral notes of our Lady Grey tea with a tender, flaky texture.

Author

Katie-lynn McDonald

Prep Time

1 hours

Cook Time

20 minutes

Servings

10

Category

Baked Goods

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup sugar (plus extra for sprinkling)
• 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
• 1 tbsp loose Appalachian Lady Grey tea
• 1/2 tsp dried orange zest (optional for extra citrus flavor)
• 2/3 cup heavy cream (plus extra for brushing)
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice (to complement the citrus in the tea)
• Optional: 1/2 cup currants or raisins for added sweetness (optional)

Directions

1. Step 1: Preheat the Oven
2. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat and set it aside.
3. Step 2: Infuse the Tea
4. In a small bowl, pour 2/3 cup of boiling water over the Appalachian Lady Grey tea. Let it steep for 3–5 minutes, then strain out the tea leaves. Set the tea aside to cool slightly.
5. Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients
6. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and orange zest (if using). Add the loose tea leaves from the Appalachian Lady Grey and mix everything well. The tea leaves should be evenly distributed throughout the dry ingredients.
7. Step 4: Cut in the Butter
8. Add the cold butter cubes into the flour mixture. Using a pastry cutter, fork, or your hands, work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized pieces of butter still visible. This step is essential to creating the light and flaky texture in the scones.
9. Step 5: Add Wet Ingredients
10. In a separate bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, egg, vanilla extract, and lemon juice. Add this mixture to the dry ingredients and stir gently until the dough just begins to come together. Be careful not to overmix, as that can result in dense scones. If the dough seems a bit dry, add a little more cream, 1 tablespoon at a time, until it holds together.
11. Step 6: Shape the Scones
12. Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently pat it into a disc shape about 1-inch thick. Using a sharp knife, cut the dough into 8 wedges, like a pizza. You can also use a round cutter if you prefer traditional round scones.
13. Step 7: Bake
14. Place the scone wedges onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one. Brush the tops lightly with additional heavy cream, then sprinkle with a little sugar for a sweet crunch after baking.
15. Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the scones are golden brown and cooked through. You can check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of a scone; it should come out clean when ready.
16. Step 8: Serve and Enjoy
17. Once baked, remove the scones from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack for a few minutes. Serve them warm with a dollop of clotted cream, lemon curd, or your favorite jam. The subtle citrus and floral notes of the Appalachian Lady Grey tea will shine through in every bite, creating a perfect pairing with a hot cup of tea.