Keto Travel Snacks: Delicious Butter Scones

If you're a fan of scones but are missing them since starting a keto diet, you'll be pleased to know that there are several keto-friendly scone recipes available online. One such recipe is from Have Butter Will Travel, a website that provides quick and easy delicious recipes for everyday home cooks, with low-carb options available. Their keto scones recipe uses almond flour, coconut flour, butter, and cream, and can be served with lashings of butter.

Keto scones recipe

Ingredients:

• 90g almond flour (3oz)
• 20g coconut flour (0.7oz)
• 30g cold, cubed butter
• 2 tbsp pure cream heavy whipping cream
• 1/4 tsp xanthan gum
• Pinch of salt

Method:

• Preheat your oven to 180C (355F).
• In a mixing bowl, combine the almond flour, coconut flour, xanthan gum, and salt until combined.
• Using a fork, press the cubed butter into the flour mixture until well combined.
• Add the cream and mix until combined.
• Roll the dough into 4 balls and then roll them slightly to form cylinders. It is easiest to bind the mixture if you use your hands.
• Place the scones on a baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes or until lightly browned on the outside.
• Allow to cool slightly before serving, as they may be fragile when hot.

Tips:

• These keto scones pair perfectly with a cup of tea or as part of a keto afternoon tea tray.
• For a sweet treat, serve with butter, jam, or cream. You can also top with a simple vanilla glaze made by whisking together heavy cream and powdered sweetener.
• For a savoury option, try adding a pinch of salt, shredded cheddar cheese, and chopped-up cooked bacon to the dough.
• If you want to make blueberry compote to serve with the scones, simply bring ½ cup of berries and ¼ cup of water to a boil in a pot, and mash together with a potato masher.
• You can store any leftover scones in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days or freeze for up to 6 months.

Keto ingredients

Almond Flour

Almond flour is a popular keto alternative to wheat flour. It has a nutty flavour and a coarse texture, similar to traditional scone flour. When using almond flour, it's important to spoon it into the measuring cup and level it off with a knife to ensure accuracy. Super-fine almond flour absorbs more liquid, so you may need to reduce the amount used.

Coconut Flour

Coconut flour is another gluten-free and keto-friendly option for scones. It has a more delicate texture and a subtle coconut flavour. When using coconut flour, it's important to sift it before measuring to remove any clumps and ensure a light, fluffy scone.

Butter or Coconut Oil

Butter or coconut oil is essential for creating a flaky, buttery texture in scones. Using cold butter or coconut oil is key, as it melts in the oven and creates steam pockets that help the scones rise.

Sweeteners

Keto-friendly sweeteners such as erythritol, monk fruit, xylitol, or allulose can be used instead of sugar. These sweeteners have zero net carbs and no bitter aftertaste, making them perfect for baked goods like scones.

Baking Powder

Baking powder is naturally gluten-free and keto-friendly, and it's essential for giving scones a light and fluffy texture. It helps the scones rise and creates a delicate crumb.

Eggs

Eggs are a key ingredient in keto scones, as they help create a light and tender texture. Using room temperature eggs is recommended, and you can brush the tops of the scones with beaten egg before baking for a golden finish.

Heavy Cream or Almond Milk

Heavy cream or almond milk adds richness and moisture to the scone dough. It can also be used as a topping for keto scones, served on the side for dipping.

Vanilla Extract and Lemon Zest

Vanilla extract and lemon zest are optional ingredients, but they add a delicious flavour to the scones. Lemon zest especially lifts the taste and gives a nice citrusy note.

Xanthan Gum

Xanthan gum is not necessary, but it can be added to improve the structure of the crumb. However, some people have reported a slimy texture when using xanthan gum in keto scones.

Add-Ins and Toppings

You can customise your keto scones with various add-ins and toppings. Sugar-free chocolate chips, dried cranberries, nuts, or fresh or dried berries can be added to the dough. For toppings, you can sprinkle granulated sweetener on top or make a simple glaze with powdered sweetener and water.

Keto baking tips

Ingredients

When baking keto-friendly treats, it's important to choose the right ingredients. For example, when replacing flour, opt for low-carb alternatives like almond flour or coconut flour. However, it's crucial to know that these alternatives don't behave like regular flour, so adjustments may be needed. Similarly, when substituting sugar, ensure you use a 1:1 replacement sweetener to avoid altering the recipe's texture.

Binding Agents

Keto-friendly flours like almond and coconut flour may require additional binding agents to achieve the desired texture. Binding agents such as xanthan gum or eggs can help improve the structure and binding of your keto bakes.

Temperature

When working with ingredients like butter or coconut oil, ensure they are at the right temperature. For instance, if a recipe calls for melted butter, make sure it has cooled before adding it to the mixture. This will prevent the batter from curdling or splitting.

Measuring

Accurate measuring is crucial in keto baking. Overdoing ingredients like almond flour can easily throw off your recipe. Use measuring cups and spoons, and remember to spoon the flour into the cup, then level it off with a knife to avoid adding too much.

Customisation

The beauty of keto baking is the ability to customise your treats. You can experiment with different flavours and ingredients while keeping the base recipe the same. For example, you can swap out dried raspberries for dried blueberries or add in some orange zest for a citrus twist.

Storage

Keto bakes can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator. They also freeze well, so you can make a big batch and store them for later.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues like stickiness or thickness with your dough, there are simple fixes. If your dough is too sticky, add a little extra flour. If it's too thick, add a splash of heavy cream or milk to loosen it.

Happy keto baking!

Keto serving suggestions

Keto scones are a delicious, low-carb alternative to traditional scones. They can be served in a variety of ways and are perfect for afternoon tea or as a treat with your favourite cup of tea. Here are some serving suggestions to elevate your keto scones:

• Clotted Cream and Jam: Scones are classically served with clotted cream and jam. For a keto-friendly option, opt for sugar-free strawberry or blueberry jam. Clotted cream is hard to find in the US, but double cream or heavy whipping cream are excellent substitutes.
• Butter: Keto scones pair perfectly with butter. Serve them warm with a generous amount of butter for a mouthwatering experience.
• Whipped Cream: If you're looking for a lighter option, top your keto scones with whipped cream. You can make your own keto-friendly whipped cream using heavy cream, or simply buy a sugar-free variety.
• Blueberry Sauce: For an extra indulgent treat, drizzle some blueberry sauce over your keto scones. Simply boil blueberries with a little water and mash them together to create a delicious compote.
• Lemon Curd: Keto scones go well with a tangy lemon curd. Look for a sugar-free option or make your own keto version at home.
• Savoury Options: While scones are typically served sweet, you can create savoury keto scones by adding ingredients like shredded cheddar cheese, chopped cooked bacon, or dill. Serve these savoury scones with butter or a keto-friendly dip.

When serving keto scones, it's important to note that they are more fragile when hot, so let them cool slightly before serving. Additionally, if you want to change up the flavours, you can add ingredients like sugar-free chocolate chips, dried cranberries, chopped nuts, or orange rind.

Keto history

Scones are believed to have originated in Scotland in the 16th century and gained popularity as a tea-time treat through Anna, the Duchess of Bedford, who loved them so much that she rang for them every afternoon at 4 pm. Over time, they became a staple in Great Britain and are commonly served as part of high tea, Devonshire tea, and afternoon tea.

The traditional scone recipe includes wheat flour, sugar, baking powder or baking soda, butter, milk, and eggs. However, with the rise in popularity of low-carb and keto diets, scone recipes have been adapted to fit these dietary preferences.

Keto scones typically substitute wheat flour with almond flour or a combination of coconut and almond flour to reduce the carb content. Additionally, sugar is replaced with sugar substitutes or sugar-free alternatives, such as erythritol, monkfruit sweeteners, Swerve, xylitol, or allulose.

The "Have Butter Will Travel" keto scone recipe, created by Aaron Day from "Fat for Weightloss," has become a popular choice for those following a keto lifestyle. This recipe yields scones that are perfect for serving to visitors during afternoon tea or as part of a keto high tea.

The history of keto scones is relatively recent, with the "Have Butter Will Travel" recipe being posted in 2019 and modified in 2020. However, the tradition of scones goes back centuries, and their versatility has allowed them to evolve to accommodate various dietary preferences, including keto.

Frequently asked questions