Ella Walter
Baking scones in a cast-iron pan is a popular choice for many home bakers. Cast iron skillets are said to give scones a crisp crust on the bottom and a handsome serving dish. There are many recipes for baking scones in a cast-iron pan, including lemon-buttermilk, cranberry-orange, raspberry-filled, and savoury skillet scones. However, it is important to note that baked goods should not be stored in cast iron pans, as dense cakes and scones can trap moisture against the cooking surface, leading to rust and other issues.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Scones baked in cast iron pans have a crisp crust on the bottom and are golden brown. |
| Taste | The scones are moist, with a hint of sturdiness. |
| Texture | The texture is fluffier than average scones. |
| Storage | It is best not to store baked goods in cast iron pans as dense cakes and scones can trap moisture against the cooking surface, leading to rust. |
| Temperature | Ovens should be preheated to temperatures between 375°F and 425°F. |
| Time | The scones should be baked for 14 to 30 minutes. |
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What You'll Learn
How to prep your cast iron pan
To prep your cast-iron pan for baking, you must first season it. Seasoning a cast-iron pan is much simpler than you might imagine. Here is a step-by-step guide:
Wash the skillet
Wash your new cast-iron pan with warm, soapy water. While using soap on cast iron was frowned upon for years, it is now considered okay. Make sure to rinse off any soap residue and dry the pan thoroughly with a soft cloth.
Oil the pan
Lightly oil the pan inside and out. Use organic flaxseed oil, canola oil, vegetable oil, or shortening/oil. Wipe out any excess oil with a paper towel. You only want the thinnest coating remaining. No dripping, no pooling—just a nice shiny layer.
Bake the pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (or 400°F, according to some sources). Place a foil-lined baking sheet on the lower rack of your oven. Then, place the oiled pan on the higher rack, upside down. Bake the pan for 1 hour. After an hour, turn off the oven and let the pan cool completely.
Repeat the process
Repeat the oiling-and-heating process three to four times to set down a good initial layer of seasoning. Once you're done, let the pan cool down. It's now ready for cooking!
Maintain the seasoning
To maintain the seasoning, use your pan regularly. Each time you cook with some type of fat, you will be laying down more seasoning. Cook with it often, and it will get better with age.
Storage tips
Dense baked goods like scones can trap moisture against the cooking surface when left in the pan overnight, especially in the fridge. This moisture can lead to rust and other issues. It is best to store baked goods elsewhere and clean your skillet promptly after cooking.
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Oven temperature and baking time
The oven temperature and baking time for scones in a cast-iron pan can vary depending on the recipe and the desired texture. Here are some general guidelines:
For most scone recipes, preheating the oven between 375°F and 425°F is recommended. For example, raspberry-filled scones and lemon-blueberry scones are baked at 375°F, while cranberry-orange scones and maple cinnamon scones are baked at 400°F to 425°F.
The baking time can range from 14 to 30 minutes, depending on the recipe and the size of the scones. Smaller scones, such as the lemon-buttermilk scones, may only need about 14 minutes in the oven. Larger scones or those with denser fillings may take up to 25-30 minutes to bake. For example, the maple cinnamon scones are baked for 20 to 25 minutes, while the lemon-blueberry scones are baked for 25 to 30 minutes.
It's important to note that the baking time can also depend on the desired texture. For a crispier crust and golden brown color, the scones may need to bake for closer to 30 minutes. If you prefer your scones more moist and tender, you may want to remove them from the oven sooner, once they are lightly golden.
Additionally, chilling the scones in the freezer for about 30 minutes before baking can improve their texture and rise. This step is recommended for the maple cinnamon scones and is said to add a crispy crust to the cranberry-orange scones.
Finally, it's worth mentioning that if you are baking frozen scones, you may need to add an additional 5 to 10 minutes to the baking time, as noted in the lemon-buttermilk scones recipe.
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How to prepare the dough
To prepare the dough for scones, you'll need a few simple ingredients: flour, sugar, salt, butter, baking powder, and an egg, along with milk or heavy cream. You can also add dried fruit, chocolate chips, nuts, or other mix-ins of your choice.
Start by whisking together the dry ingredients: flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder. Cut in cold, cubed butter using a pastry cutter, two forks, or your hands until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some larger chunks of butter. You can also grate the butter and freeze it before adding it to the dry ingredients. This technique creates a flakier texture in the baked scones.
Next, whisk together the wet ingredients in a separate bowl: an egg and milk or heavy cream. You can also add extracts or vanilla for extra flavour. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough, as this can result in flatter and tougher scones.
At this point, you can add in any mix-ins, such as dried fruit or chocolate chips, and gently fold them into the dough. Then, turn the dough out onto a floured surface and shape it into a rectangle. To create layers and ensure a flaky texture, you can fold the dough like a letter, first in one direction and then the opposite direction.
Finally, pat the dough into a disc about 8 inches (20 cm) in diameter and cut it into wedges. You can also make smaller scones by dividing the dough into two discs and cutting each into wedges. Chill the shaped scones in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes before baking to prevent over-spreading.
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How to store scones
Scones are best consumed the day they are baked. They tend to dry out, becoming stale, crumbly, and tough as days go by. Proper storage is essential to extending their shelf life.
Firstly, ensure that your scones are completely cool before storing them. Wrapping them while they are still warm can trap steam, causing the exterior to soften. Once cool, wrap them tightly and store them at room temperature for up to several days. You can also place the wrapped scones in an airtight container or zip-top bag for added protection.
If you want to make your scones ahead of time, you can prepare the dough and shape it according to your desired recipe. Place the shaped scones on a parchment-lined baking sheet, ensuring they do not touch. Freeze them until firm, and then transfer them to an airtight, freezer-safe container. They will stay fresh in the freezer for up to three weeks. When you're ready to bake, place the frozen scones on a baking sheet and bake directly from the freezer, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Another option is to partially bake your scones and then freeze them. When you're ready to serve them, pop them in the oven to warm them up and finish baking. This method ensures that your scones taste fresh and crispy, just like they were freshly baked.
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Flavour variations
Scones can be made sweet or savoury, and there are endless flavour variations to experiment with.
For sweet scones, you can add chocolate chips, berries, citrus zest, or dried fruit such as cranberries, apricots, or raisins. You can also add a teaspoon of baking extracts such as vanilla, almond, orange, or peppermint. For a sweeter scone, you can add more sugar to the dough, or finish the scones with a dusting of confectioner's sugar or vanilla icing.
Savoury scones can be made with cheese and herbs, or even leftover ham. You can also add seeds and nuts, such as walnuts, pecans, or almonds, or spices such as cinnamon.
Some interesting flavour combinations to try include raspberry and apricot, maple cinnamon, cranberry and orange, lemon, gingerbread, or chocolate and hazelnut.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can bake scones in a cast-iron pan.
To bake scones in a cast-iron pan, first prepare the dough. Then, cut the dough into wedges and separate them. Place the wedges in the pan and put the pan into a preheated oven. Bake until golden brown.
There are many different recipes for scones that can be baked in a cast-iron pan. Some examples include lemon-buttermilk scones, raspberry-filled scones, lemon-blueberry scones, maple-cinnamon scones, and cranberry-orange scones.
