It’s Like Buttah

Some friends graciously invited us over for brunch at their house tomorrow morning. I offered to contribute some scones and I knew just the type I wanted to make: cherry almond. I’m a pretty big fan of all kinds of scones, but cherry almond seems to have that extra special something. I think it might be the pairing of the sweet almond with the slight tart of the cherry.

Since my best scone recipe relies on eggnog, I turned to the all-knowing Internet to find a recipe. I came across this great-looking one by Anne Burrell, and that’s where things got a little wild. http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/anne-burrell/dried-cherry-almond-scones-recipe/index.html

As you can see, her recipe comes with an added bonus recipe for “honey butter.” As in “butter made from whipping cream and flavored with honey.” Well, I couldn’t think of a better way to burn up the afternoon, so I got the ingredients and gave it a whirl. Or rather, I gave it many, many whirls in the stand mixer. I followed Anne’s instructions carefully and beat that cream, honey, and orange rind until it curdled and gave off the buttermilk liquid. However, you will note that the recipe tells you that the solids will separate from the liquids and to continue beating until the butter comes together in one large clump. What she doesn’t tell you is to drain off the buttermilk and that’s pretty much a key point. If you don’t get rid of the liquid, it just keeps sloshing around and mixing the liquid through your butter solids and continues to look disgusting. After I realized this omission and drained the buttermilk off, I also added more honey to taste and beat it all until I liked the texture and form. Here’s the finished product.

We will see how it goes over tomorrow. I think it will be wonderful on the cherry almond scones.

Here are my two butter Pro Tips for anyone else who wants to attempt this perfect Saturday afternoon project.

1.)  Use a kitchen towel to cover the mixer so that you don’t get heavy cream and the inevitable buttermilk all over you, your mixer, and your kitchen.

2.)  For the love of Pete, drain off that buttermilk!

- Jenn