cheesy kale scones

1 Pinch 1 Photo
Moose Jaw, SK
Updated on Jan 12, 2017

This recipe comes from Briana Holt at Tandem Coffee and Bakery in Portland, Maine. If you have a kitchen scale, definitely use it for this recipe! Also, be sure to use a very high-fat butter—it will make the difference in the final result.

Rate
prep time 20 Min
cook time 25 Min
method Bake
yield 12 serving(s)

Ingredients

  • 14 ounces very good butter (use 82% or 86% milk fat if you can find it)
  • 727 1/2 grams (6 cups) all-purpose flour
  • 18 1/2 grams (4 1/2 teaspoons) baking powder
  • 6 grams (1 1/2 teaspoons) baking soda
  • 100 grams (1/2 cup) sugar
  • 6 grams (1 1/2 teaspoons) salt
  • 4 ounces tender, fresh kale
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup pine nuts
  • 3/4 cup grated pecorino or parmesan, plus more for sprinkling
  • 1/2 cup currants (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon flaky sea salt (like maldon)
  • 1 1/2-2 cups cold, well-shaken buttermilk
  • 1 large egg

How To Make cheesy kale scones

  • Step 1
    Cut the butter up into small cubes (about 1/2-inch squares) and chill in the refrigerator. The butter should be quite cold but not frozen.
  • Step 2
    Whisk all the dry ingredients together in a large bowl. Add them to a food processor with the cold butter and pulse until the mixture has large, pea-sized chunks of butter. **You can do this step by hand and cut the butter in with a fork or a pastry cutter, but the food processor is infinitely easier!**
  • Step 3
    Refrigerate the butter and flour mixture while you prep the rest of the ingredients.
  • Step 4
    Chop up the kale into bite-sized pieces. Drizzle lemon juice over the kale and massage it into the kale a bit.
  • Step 5
    In a skillet over medium heat, toast the pine nuts until they are just golden brown and smell fragrant
  • Step 6
    Preheat the oven to 400° F.
  • Step 7
    While the oven heats up, remove the butter/flour mixture from the refrigerator. Mix in the kale, grated cheese, toasted pine nuts, and currants (if using). Reserve a small amount of the flaky sea salt and black pepper for topping, and mix the rest into the dough.
  • Step 8
    Pour 1 1/2 cups of buttermilk over the mixture and toss gently with your hands to hydrate the dough evenly. Turn the dough out onto a counter or work surface. Using your hands, start bringing the shaggy mound of dough together, drizzling a little more buttermilk over it here and there if you see dry spots. You might need the additional 1/2 cup of buttermilk, but don't add it all until you've mixed the dough a bit—often, it looks dry but will come together nicely.
  • Step 9
    You want to bring the mixture together firmly but avoid mashing or pressing it down. Try to fold the mass of dough over itself and then turn it a quarter and repeat, even though it may seem a shaggy mess. It should take about 6 folds and turns to make a fairly well-incorporated ball of dough.
  • Step 10
    Divide the dough into two pieces and press each piece gently into a flat, round disc about 10-11 inches in diameter. Lightly beat the egg and brush it over the the dough.
  • Step 11
    Sprinkle the top of the dough with the remaining black pepper and flaky sea salt, and some more grated cheese if you like.
  • Step 12
    Using a very sharp knife, slice each disc into 6 even triangles. Transfer the triangles to 2 parchment-lined baking sheets.
  • Step 13
    Bake at 400° F for 10 minutes, then reduce the heat to 350° F and bake for an additional 15 to 20 minutes. The scones are finished when they are golden brown all over the surface.

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