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Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- General
- Scottish Sun
Scones will be lighter and fluffier if you add little-known extra step to recipe, says head chef
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THERE'S nothing better than a warm scone slathered in cream and jam – or jam then cream, whichever you prefer. The crumbly bake is beloved by millions across the UK as an afternoon tea staple or sweet treat at home. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 There's a little-known step that makes scones lighter and fluffier Credit: Getty But if you're attempting to make them yourself, there's a key step you could be missing in your recipe. And it could be the difference between perfectly light and fluffy scones and a flat disappointment. Kevin Connor, head chef at luxury retirement villages brand Audley Villages, revealed his little-known slice of advice to perfect your scones. He said: 'While a scone recipe looks simple, with few ingredients and a short baking time, too often the British favourite falls flat… literally. "It's very difficult to achieve the perfect level of fluffiness, so they can often emerge from the oven dense, tough and chewy. 'My top tip is to FREEZE the dough, once rolled into balls, for at least 30 minutes before placing in the oven. "The longer your dough is in the freezer for, the better, so if you're extra organised, I would even suggest keeping it in the freezer overnight.' Speaking ahead of National Afternoon Tea Week from August 11, Kevin explained how to adjust your recipe to this baking rule. He said: 'Firstly, mix your ingredients together. It's then very important to minimise how much you work the dough. "Next, cut your circular 'scone' shapes out by pushing down on the cutter firmly without twisting to keep their form, before arranging them on a baking tray. I DIY-ed a 'professional' level kids' birthday cake for less than £25 using Amazon & eBay buys - I didn't bake a thing 'The critical part, though, is popping some cling film over the scones on the tray and freezing for 30 minutes or more." He continues: 'There is no need to defrost them. Remove straight from the freezer and place in the oven for a little longer than your recipe suggests. "From there you should take out your flakiest bake yet.' The head chef and baking expert revealed freezing dough has such a dramatically positive effect because it keeps the butter solid. Top Tip He said: 'Don't overmix or over knead your dough because you want it to have pockets of butter throughout. "Freezing the dough ensures that these pockets of butter then remain cold and solid right until they go into the oven. "They will then steam in the heat, raising the dough more and creating the fluffy layers. "So, by maintaining the solidity of the butter by freezing your dough beforehand, the scones should gain height and layers while baking. 'Leaving the dough while it's in the freezer, also provides time for it to rest, so avoid opening the door – a bit like you would with the oven. The cold temperature slows gluten development, preventing the bake from becoming too tough or chewy.' 'Following my steps to give your scones that extra boost is just the ticket to transform dense dough into a delightfully fluffy, light bake.'
The Sun
6 days ago
- General
- The Sun
Scones will be lighter and fluffier if you add little-known extra step to recipe, says head chef
THERE'S nothing better than a warm scone slathered in cream and jam – or jam then cream, whichever you prefer. The crumbly bake is beloved by millions across the UK as an afternoon tea staple or sweet treat at home. 1 But if you're attempting to make them yourself, there's a key step you could be missing in your recipe. And it could be the difference between perfectly light and fluffy scones and a flat disappointment. Kevin Connor, head chef at luxury retirement villages brand Audley Villages, revealed his little-known slice of advice to perfect your scones. He said: 'While a scone recipe looks simple, with few ingredients and a short baking time, too often the British favourite falls flat… literally. "It's very difficult to achieve the perfect level of fluffiness, so they can often emerge from the oven dense, tough and chewy. 'My top tip is to FREEZE the dough, once rolled into balls, for at least 30 minutes before placing in the oven. "The longer your dough is in the freezer for, the better, so if you're extra organised, I would even suggest keeping it in the freezer overnight.' Speaking ahead of National Afternoon Tea Week from August 11, Kevin explained how to adjust your recipe to this baking rule. He said: 'Firstly, mix your ingredients together. It's then very important to minimise how much you work the dough. "Next, cut your circular 'scone' shapes out by pushing down on the cutter firmly without twisting to keep their form, before arranging them on a baking tray. I DIY-ed a 'professional' level kids' birthday cake for less than £25 using Amazon & eBay buys - I didn't bake a thing 'The critical part, though, is popping some cling film over the scones on the tray and freezing for 30 minutes or more." He continues: 'There is no need to defrost them. Remove straight from the freezer and place in the oven for a little longer than your recipe suggests. "From there you should take out your flakiest bake yet.' The head chef and baking expert revealed freezing dough has such a dramatically positive effect because it keeps the butter solid. Top Tip He said: 'Don't overmix or over knead your dough because you want it to have pockets of butter throughout. "Freezing the dough ensures that these pockets of butter then remain cold and solid right until they go into the oven. "They will then steam in the heat, raising the dough more and creating the fluffy layers. "So, by maintaining the solidity of the butter by freezing your dough beforehand, the scones should gain height and layers while baking. 'Leaving the dough while it's in the freezer, also provides time for it to rest, so avoid opening the door – a bit like you would with the oven. The cold temperature slows gluten development, preventing the bake from becoming too tough or chewy.' 'Following my steps to give your scones that extra boost is just the ticket to transform dense dough into a delightfully fluffy, light bake.'
Toronto Sun
7 days ago
- Toronto Sun
E-bike rider critically injured in collision with motor vehicle in Oshawa
A Durham Regional Police vehicle. Photo by Kevin Connor / Files / Toronto Sun A 69-year-old man was critically injured when he was hit by a motor vehicle while riding an e-bike in Oshawa on Tuesday morning. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Durham Regional Police say officers responded to the collision involving the e-bike and motor vehicle at Park Rd. S. and Marland Ave. – south of Gibb St. – around 7 a.m. 'The motor vehicle and e-bike were both travelling northbound, just south of Marland Ave., when they collided,' police said in a statement released Wednesday. The e-bike rider was transported to a trauma centre in Toronto where he 'remains in critical condition,' police said, adding the man behind the wheel of the motor vehicle 'remained on scene and cooperated with police.' Read More The area was closed off for several hours while the Collision Investigation Unit collected evidence. 'This collision is still under investigation,' police said. Anyone with information about this collision is urged to call Det.-Const. Vander Duim, of the Traffic Services Branch, at 905-579-1520, ext. 5255, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). cdoucette@ @sundoucette Television Columnists Music World Toronto & GTA
Toronto Sun
04-08-2025
- Toronto Sun
Suspect arrested in Pickering murder
Elston Coutinho, 34, faces murder charges after a 69-year-old woman was found dead in a burning Pickering home A Durham Regional Police vehicle. Photo by Kevin Connor / Files / Toronto Sun Police in Durham have a suspect in custody in connection with the region's third homicide of the year. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Just before 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 11, crews battling a house fire on Primrose Ct. near Fairport Rd. — near Finch Ave. and Whites Rd. in Pickering — found the body of a 69-year-old inside the home. Subsequent examinations determined the woman's death was a homicide. The victim's name and cause of death were not released by police, who at the time said the killing was an isolated incident. Sandra Coutinho, 34, of Pickering, was arrested and charged with accessory after the fact to murder in June, and a Canada-wide warrant was issued for Elston Coutinho, 34. Read More On Friday, homicide detectives arrested and charged Elston Coutinho with second-degree murder. He was held in custody pending a bail hearing. Anyone with information is asked to call Durham police at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5421, or anonymously via Crime Stoppers. bpassifiume@ X: @bryanpassifiume Columnists Sunshine Girls World Celebrity Sex Files
Toronto Sun
23-07-2025
- Toronto Sun
Man arrested after allegedly barricading himself in Whitby home
The accused was under court orders to steer clear of the residence and the homeowner A Durham Regional Police vehicle. Photo by Kevin Connor / Files / Toronto Sun A 27-year-old man faces numerous charges after allegedly barricading himself inside of a Whitby home – a residence he was under court orders to steer clear of – while armed with a knife last weekend. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Durham Regional Police say officers responded to an 'unwanted person call' at a residence in the area of Chestnut St. E. and Perry St. – near Brock St. N. and Dundas St. E. – around 7:20 p.m. on Sunday. 'Officers arrived on scene where the suspect had armed and barricaded himself with a knife,' police alleged in a statement released Wednesday. 'The suspect was on conditions to remain away from the residence and the homeowner,' police added, explaining the man 'eventually exited the residence and was arrested.' Read More Jordan Wheeler, of no fixed address, is charged with eight counts of failure to comply with a probation order. 'At the time of his arrest, Wheeler was wanted on several other charges stemming from a previous unrelated incident,' police said. cdoucette@ @sundoucette Golf Canada Canada Toronto & GTA Toronto & GTA
