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Berry and Cream Thumbprint Scones

If you follow me on Instagram and Twitter, you’ll already know that I recently spent a tasty, fun-filled day baking and eating with Panera. I traveled to New Haven, Connecticut, to visit their Small Batch Bakery. It’s a new concept for them that involves, as you might guess, baking in small batches. All of that baking is done right in the cafe, which makes it smell all kinds of amazing.

My Visit to Panera | Bake or Break

I was also lucky to spend that day with some very talented food bloggers. Lindsay, Sally, Bree, Zoe, Nicole, and I were treated to a sampling of just about everything they bake there, from cinnamon rolls and muffins to pretzels to waffles and bread pudding. This Panera location is a bit of a playground for Chef Tom Gumpel. He tries out new recipes that may eventually make their way to your local Panera. It was all absolutely delicious! Plus, we all enjoyed talking with Tom about baking and getting to do a little baking ourselves.

Bloggers and Bakers at Panera | Bake or Break

One of my favorite things that I ate and also got to help bake was a thumbprint scone filled with jam. It was so very good, and I just loved the idea of a scone with a jam-filled thumbprint. I was already planning to try something like it myself when Tom gave us his recipe!

The Panera version of these scones features strawberries, but I opted to go with a mixed berry version. I used dried strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries. Then, I topped them with either blueberry or raspberry jam.

Berry and Cream Thumbprint Scones | Bake or Break

These are a bit, well, rustic in appearance. Somehow, Panera’s versions are a little more photogenic. It could have something to do with the fact that my big spring-loaded scoop broke about three scones into the scooping. In any case, they are definitely delicious. They would be an excellent choice for a special breakfast or brunch, or just enjoy them with an afternoon coffee or tea break.

Berry and Cream Scones

Tender homemade scones are filled with jam, white chocolate, and fruit for the perfect breakfast pastry!

Berry and Cream Scones

Ingredients

  • 3 & 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons baking powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 & 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 3/4 cup dried fruit, cut into 1/4-inch pieces*
  • 1/2 cup white chocolate chunks
  • 1 cup your favorite jam**
  • 1/4 cup half and half
  • coarse sugar

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone liners.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
  3. Add cream, dried fruit, and white chocolate. Use a wooden spoon or an electric mixer on low speed to mix until combined.
  4. Using a large scoop***, place scones about 2 inches apart on prepared pan.
  5. Use your thumb or a spoon to make a deep thumbprint in the center of each scone. Fill each impression with jam.
  6. Lightly brush each scone (not the jam) with half and half. Sprinkle each scone with coarse sugar.
  7. Bake 25 to 30 minutes, or until scones are golden brown. Cool 15 minutes before serving.

Notes

*I used a combination of dried strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries. **These work best with a nice, thick jam. I topped some of mine with blueberry jam and some with raspberry jam. ***I used a 3-tablespoon scoop, but a 4-tablespoon scoop would work well, too. You'll just get fewer scones.

Show off your baking masterpiece!

Snap a pic, tag @bakeorbreak, and use #bakeorbreak on Instagram. Can't wait to see your creation!

Disclosure: I was provided with travel expenses and a wonderful experience by Panera. All opinions are my own.

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    2 Comments on “Berry and Cream Thumbprint Scones”

  1. Made these over the weekend. Mine were even less photogenic because I used some homemade jam that was thinner so it bled a bit on the top but no one complained. They were declared WONDERFUL and were a great success with customers at my local nursery during a crazy and unexpected hailstorm. Warm from the oven scones and lattes…good things to enjoy in the middle of a storm. Another keeper recipe!!

  2. What a super fun excursion!! I’ve yet to meet a Panera treat that I didn’t love. And I’m sure these scones are no exception.

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