26 Apr 2025
Cook time 15 min
Prep time 12 min
Ingredients:
1 cup dates
2 tsp brown sugar
2 tbsp orange zest
2 cups self-raising flour
1 tbsp sugar
1 dash salt
1/4 cup butter
Sticky date scroll scones are a delectable treat that perfectly blend the rich sweetness of dates with the zestiness of orange. These scones make for a perfect afternoon snack or a lovely addition to your morning tea. With their soft, tender crumb and flavorful filling, they are sure to impress anyone who takes a bite.
Instructions:
1. Preheat & Prepare:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
2. Prepare the Dates:
- Place the chopped dates in a small bowl.
- Add the brown sugar and orange zest to the dates, mixing well to combine.
- Set aside to allow the flavors to meld.
3. Make the Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the self-raising flour, sugar, and salt.
- Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture.
- Using a pastry cutter or your fingertips, rub the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.
4. Add Milk:
- Gradually add the milk to the flour and butter mixture, stirring gently with a spatula or wooden spoon, until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix; the dough should be just combined and slightly sticky.
5. Roll & Fill:
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently for a few seconds until it comes together.
- Roll the dough out into a rectangle approximately 12x8 inches (30x20 cm) in size and about 1/4 inch (5-6 mm) thick.
- Spread the date mixture evenly over the rolled dough.
6. Form the Scrolls:
- Starting from one long edge, carefully roll the dough into a log, keeping it tight and even.
- Once rolled, use a sharp knife to cut the log into approximately 1-inch (2.5 cm) thick scrolls.
7. Bake:
- Place the scrolls onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving a small space between each one to allow for expansion.
- Brush the tops with a little milk to help them brown nicely during baking.
8. Bake Time:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until the scones are golden brown and cooked through.
9. Cool & Serve:
- Remove the scones from the oven and transfer them to a wire rack to cool slightly.
- Serve warm or at room temperature, enjoying the sticky, sweet, and zesty flavors of the dates and orange zest.
Tips:
- Ensure the butter is cold when you start mixing it into the flour to create a flaky texture in the scones.
- Soak the dates in warm water for about 10 minutes before using them to make them softer and easier to blend into the dough.
- When adding the orange zest, make sure to only include the outer orange part of the peel, as the white pith can be bitter.
- Be gentle when mixing the dough. Overworking it can result in tough scones.
- Use a sharp knife to cut the scones into scrolls to have clean edges.
- Bake them in a preheated oven for the best results, and keep an eye on them to prevent over-browning.
Sticky date scroll scones are a delightful indulgence that marries the flavors of sweet dates and bright orange zest, all enveloped in a tender and buttery scone dough. Perfect for any time of the day, these scones are sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection. Serve them warm with a pat of butter for an extra touch of luxury.