What Makes Ultramel Scones So Special?

The secret weapon in these incredible baked goods is, of course, the addition of Ultramel, a popular ready-made, creamy custard often found in South Africa. Traditionally, scones rely on buttermilk or plain milk to bind the dough. By substituting or supplementing the liquid with the thick, sweetened custard, we introduce three key elements that transform the final product:

• Extra Fat and Moisture: Custard is richer than plain milk, providing higher fat content. This coats the flour particles, inhibiting excessive gluten development and resulting in a much more tender crumb. The extra moisture content also helps the scones stay fresher and softer for longer.
• A Subtle Sweetness: The Ultramel adds a delicate, pleasing sweetness, meaning you don’t need to add as much granulated sugar to the dry mix. This makes the scone perfect for both sweet toppings (like berries and cream) and slightly savory pairings (like cheese and butter).
• Incredible Golden Colour: The rich yellow hue of the custard translates beautifully into a vibrant, golden-coloured baked scone, which is visually appealing and hints at its creamy flavour.

The Essential Steps for Scone Perfection

Baking truly great scones is simpler than you might think, but it requires a few critical techniques. Here is a breakdown of the key steps to ensure your batch of ULTRAMEL SCONES recipes turns out perfectly every time:

1. Keep Ingredients Cold: This is non-negotiable! Use ice-cold butter straight from the fridge and, if possible, chill your flour and Ultramel briefly. Cold ingredients create pockets of steam during baking, which is what gives the scones their characteristic lift and flakiness.
2. Mixing the Fat: Use your fingertips to rub the cold butter into the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt) until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs. Work quickly to prevent the butter from melting. Alternatively, use a food processor for just a few pulses, but be careful not to overmix.
3. The Gentle Touch: Once you add the cold Ultramel custard, mix the dough just until it comes together. Over-mixing develops gluten, leading to tough, chewy scones—the opposite of what we want! A few dry patches are better than an overworked dough.
4. Cutting and Baking: Pat the dough out to about $2\text{ cm}$ ($\frac{3}{4}$ inch) thickness. Use a sharp cutter (do not twist it!) and press straight down. Twisting seals the edges, which can prevent a good rise. Brush the tops with a final bit of Ultramel for a beautiful golden glaze, then bake at a high temperature ($220^\circ \text{C}$ or $425^\circ \text{F}$) for a short time (around 12–15 minutes) to ensure a high, quick rise. 🚀

Easy-to-Follow Ultramel Scones Recipe

This recipe yields approximately 10–12 medium-sized scones.

🥣 Ingredients

• $3 \text{ cups}$ All-Purpose Flour (or cake flour)
• $4 \text{ teaspoons}$ Baking Powder
• $\frac{1}{2} \text{ teaspoon}$ Salt
• $4 \text{ tablespoons}$ Granulated Sugar
• $\frac{1}{2} \text{ cup}$ Cold Butter, cut into small cubes
• $1 \text{ cup}$ Cold Ultramel Custard (plus extra for brushing)

👩‍🍳 Method

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to $220^\circ \text{C}$ ($425^\circ \text{F}$). Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar.
3. Cut in the Butter: Add the cold butter cubes to the dry ingredients. Use your fingertips to rub the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse breadcrumbs with some pea-sized pieces remaining.
4. Add Liquid: Make a well in the centre of the mixture and pour in the cold Ultramel custard. Use a knife or a wooden spoon to mix the dough just until it forms a shaggy, wet ball. Do not knead.
5. Shape the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Gently pat it down into a rectangle or circle about $2\text{ cm}$ thick.
6. Cut the Scones: Using a sharp, round or square cutter, press straight down to cut out the scones. Gather the scraps gently and pat them together to cut out the remaining scones.
7. Bake: Place the scones on the prepared baking tray. Brush the tops with a little extra Ultramel custard for a golden finish. Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the scones are well-risen and beautifully golden brown. ☀️
8. Serve: Transfer the warm scones to a wire rack. Serve immediately with fresh strawberry jam and a dollop of cream or butter.

Storage and Serving Suggestions

The beauty of a perfect scone is its simplicity, but the right accompaniments take it to the next level. Serve your ULTRAMEL SCONES recipes warm for the best experience.

• Classic Cream Tea: Spread generously with strawberry jam and a dollop of clotted cream or whipped cream.
• Citrus Twist: Pair with lemon curd or a marmalade.
• Savoury Side: Split, toast lightly, and serve with cheese and a spicy chutney.

Note on Freshness: Scones are best enjoyed the day they are baked. They are meant to be a fresh treat! However, if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. Reheat them briefly in a moderate oven to restore a touch of their freshness before serving.

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Baking these scones is a delightful journey that results in a truly comforting and impressive final product. The addition of Ultramel takes the traditional scone from humble to heavenly, providing a moist, tender crumb that will have everyone asking for your secret recipe. Which topping do you think goes best with a perfectly golden scone—the jam or the cream first? Let us know your tea-time ritual! ☕