Indulge in Luxury: Vanilla Scones with Homemade Blackberry Pear Champagne Jam for the Ultimate High Tea Experience

Discover the art of creating the perfect High Tea de Luxe with our delicate vanilla scones, generously topped with an exquisite homemade blackberry pear champagne jam. These two specially crafted recipes promise an unforgettable culinary journey.

Scones are more than just a baked good; they are a timeless emblem of tradition, comfort, and the quintessential British high tea experience. Their light, airy texture and subtly sweet flavor make them the ideal canvas for a variety of accompaniments. On my blog, you’ll already find a delightful array of scone recipes, each designed to bring a unique twist to your afternoon tea spread:

• Scones with Homemade Strawberry Jelly
• Scones with Strawberries and Whipped Cream
• Scones with Orange Flavor
• Scones with Cranberry Lime Compote

But the world of scones is vast and wonderful, always leaving room for new and exciting variations. This time, we’re taking a classic approach with a sophisticated twist: infusing our scones with a delicate hint of vanilla. To elevate this simple pleasure to a true delicacy, we’ve paired these fragrant vanilla scones with a truly special accompaniment: a homemade blackberry pear champagne jam. This jam combines the luscious sweetness of seasonal blackberries and pears with the subtle effervescence and luxurious depth of champagne, creating a spread that is both vibrant and refined. It’s a combination designed not just to tantalize your taste buds, but to add an undeniable touch of elegance to any gathering, especially a grand high tea.

The Elegance of Vanilla Scones

Vanilla, often considered a simple flavor, is in fact incredibly complex and offers a warm, inviting aroma that makes it perfect for scones. Unlike overpowering spices, vanilla enhances the natural buttery notes of the scone dough, contributing a subtle sweetness and a wonderfully fragrant profile. Our vanilla scones recipe is meticulously crafted to ensure a light, fluffy texture with a delicate crumb – the hallmark of a truly great scone. The secret lies in using quality ingredients and handling the dough gently, allowing the self-rising flour to work its magic and create those coveted layers. These scones are perfect on their own, but truly shine when paired with the right jam, which brings us to the next star of our high tea spread.

A Symphony of Flavors: Blackberry Pear Champagne Jam

While clotted cream and strawberry jam are traditional scone companions, our homemade blackberry pear champagne jam offers a refreshing and luxurious alternative. This jam isn’t just about sweetness; it’s a careful balance of tart blackberries, mellow pears, and the sophisticated notes of dry champagne. Blackberries bring a vibrant, slightly tart acidity, while pears add a soft, subtle sweetness and beautiful texture. The champagne, however, is the game-changer. It infuses the jam with a delicate complexity, a hint of fizz, and an overall sense of celebration, transforming a simple fruit preserve into something truly special. Making your own jam at home allows you to control the sugar levels and ensures the freshest, most intense fruit flavors, free from artificial additives. It’s a labor of love that pays off handsomely in taste and aroma, making every bite of your scone a moment of pure bliss.

High Tea Deluxe: Crafting an Unforgettable Experience

This entire week, we’re dedicated to helping you orchestrate the most exquisite luxury high tea. We believe a truly deluxe high tea is an art form, a symphony of sweet and savory delights designed to impress and enchant your guests. We’ve already laid the groundwork with some incredible recipes that are sure to be crowd-pleasers. We started our journey with 4 delicious and elegant sandwiches, perfect for setting a sophisticated tone. Following that, we introduced a delightful savory snack: grilled asparagus with Boursin and prosciutto, offering a contrast of textures and flavors. But the culinary adventure doesn’t stop there! The rest of the week promises even more delectable treats, ensuring your high tea spread is diverse, exciting, and utterly unforgettable. And to make your planning seamless, I’ll provide a comprehensive wrap-up with a detailed time schedule at the end of the week. Preparing a luxury high tea has never been this easy or enjoyable!

Tips for Baking the Perfect Scones

Achieving light and fluffy scones requires a few key techniques. Firstly, ensure your butter is very cold and cut into small pieces. This helps create pockets of steam during baking, resulting in a flaky texture. When mixing, work quickly and avoid over-kneading the dough. Overworking the dough develops gluten, leading to tough scones. Use a light hand, bringing the dough together just until it forms a cohesive ball. When cutting the scones, avoid twisting the cutter; press straight down and pull straight up. Twisting can seal the edges of the scone, preventing it from rising properly. Lastly, baking at a high temperature for a relatively short period ensures a golden crust and a soft interior. Follow these simple tips, and you’ll be baking bakery-worthy vanilla scones every time!

The Joy of Homemade Jam

Making your own jam might seem daunting, but it’s a deeply rewarding process that yields superior results compared to store-bought varieties. For this blackberry pear champagne jam, the fresh, seasonal fruits are the true heroes. When you cook them down with sugar, lemon juice (which aids in setting and brightens the flavor), and a splash of champagne, a magical transformation occurs. The fruit’s natural pectins, combined with the jam sugar, create that perfect spreadable consistency. The champagne adds an unexpected layer of sophistication, turning a simple jam into a gourmet experience. Plus, the aroma that fills your kitchen while it simmers is utterly intoxicating. Remember to sterilize your jars properly for safe storage, and you’ll have delicious homemade jam to enjoy for weeks or even months.

📖 Recipe

RECIPE CARD

Vanilla Scones with Blackberry Pear and Champagne Jam

Andréa

Delicate vanilla-infused scones, generously crowned with a vibrant homemade blackberry pear champagne jam. These two exquisite recipes are specifically designed to create an unforgettable High Tea de Luxe experience, combining classic comfort with a touch of luxury.

5 of 4 votes

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Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Course Breakfast, Lunch, Sweets and Sweet Baking, High Tea

Cuisine European Cuisine, British

Servings 8 scones

Calories 358 kcal

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

Vanilla scones

• ▢ 375 grams self-rising flour
• ▢ 1 teaspoon sugar
• ▢ 30 grams butter, finely chopped (cold)
• ▢ 180 ml milk
• ▢ 125 ml water
• ▢ 1 vanilla pod, seeds scraped

Blackberry pear champagne jam

• ▢ 600 grams fresh blackberries
• ▢ 500 grams jam sugar
• ▢ 400 grams pear, peeled, cored, and diced
• ▢ 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• ▢ 100 Ml dry champagne

All my recipes are written both in Metric (gram / ml) and US Customary (cups / pounds). Here you can select which type of amount you would like to see.

Instructions

Vanilla scones

• ▢
  Preheat your oven to a precise 220 degrees Celsius (425°F) to ensure optimal scone rise and golden-brown crust.
• ▢
  Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with baking paper (parchment paper) to prevent sticking and aid in easy cleanup.
• ▢
  Into a large mixing bowl, sift the self-rising flour and sugar. Add the cold, finely chopped butter and rub it into the flour mixture with your fingertips until it resembles coarse breadcrumbs. This ensures a light and flaky texture.
• ▢
  In a separate small bowl, combine the milk and water.
• ▢
  Carefully halve the vanilla pod lengthwise and scrape out the fragrant seeds. Add these vanilla seeds to the milk and water mixture, stirring gently to combine.
• ▢
  Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour in the vanilla-infused milk mixture.
• ▢
  Using a blunt knife, gently cut the liquid through the flour mixture. Continue until a soft, shaggy dough just begins to form. Avoid overmixing.
• ▢
  Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead very lightly and quickly for just a few seconds until the dough comes together and is smooth. Over-kneading will make the scones tough.
• ▢
  Gently press or roll the dough into a square shape, approximately 20 x 20 cm (8 x 8 inches) and about 2-3 cm (1 inch) thick.
• ▢
  Dip a round scone cutter (approx. 5-6 cm diameter) into flour before each cut. Press firmly down into the dough without twisting, then lift straight up. Place the cut scones onto the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are not touching.
• ▢
  Gather the remaining dough scraps, gently press them together into a new square, and cut out any additional scones until all dough is used.
• ▢
  Bake the scones in the preheated oven for approximately 15-20 minutes, or until they are well-risen and golden brown on top.

Blackberry pear champagne jam

• ▢
  Begin by thoroughly washing the blackberries, ensuring they are well-drained. Carefully remove any remaining stalks or leaves. In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, combine the prepared blackberries with the jam sugar.
• ▢
  Using a potato masher or fork, gently mash the blackberries a little. This helps release their juices and makes for a more flavorful jam, while still leaving some fruit chunks for texture.
• ▢
  Peel the pear, carefully remove the core, and cut the flesh into small, uniform cubes.
• ▢
  Add the diced pear to the blackberry and jam sugar mixture in the pot.
• ▢
  Stir in the lemon juice and dry champagne. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over high heat, stirring continuously to dissolve the sugar.
• ▢
  Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer gently for approximately 20 minutes. Stir frequently to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking, allowing the jam to thicken.
• ▢
  To check if the jam has reached its setting point, perform the cold plate method (refer to the ‘Notes’ section for detailed instructions).
• ▢
  Once the jam is ready, carefully ladle it into sterilized jam jars. Immediately seal the jars and turn them upside down for about 5 minutes. Then, turn them right-side up and let them cool completely to room temperature. This creates a vacuum seal, ensuring longer shelf life.

Notes

• **Cold Plate Test for Jam Setting:** To determine if your jam has achieved the perfect consistency, place a small plate in the freezer before you start making the jam. Once you believe the jam is ready, spoon a small drip onto the chilled plate. Let it sit for about 30 seconds, then push the jam with your finger. If the surface wrinkles and the jam holds its shape without running, it’s set. If it’s too runny, continue to simmer for a few more minutes and re-test. Remember to keep the plate cold between tests.
• **Ensuring a Proper Seal:** Turning the filled jam jars upside down immediately after sealing helps to create a strong vacuum seal. This method reduces the amount of air trapped inside the jar, which can inhibit bacterial growth and extend the jam’s shelf life. It also ensures the lid is thoroughly sterilized by the hot jam.

Nutrition

Calories: 358kcalCarbohydrates: 84gProtein: 8gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 39mgFiber: 8gSugar: 34gVitamin A: 303IUVitamin C: 20mgIron: 1mg

Keyword scones, vanilla scones, homemade jam, blackberry jam, pear jam, champagne jam, high tea, baking

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