I can hear you asking: what on earth is a Sconut? It’s a playful fusion of a scone and a doughnut, combining the crumbly, tender texture of a scone with the sweet, spiced coating and indulgent filling of a doughnut. Inspired by a love of hot tea, freshly baked scones and irresistible doughnuts, the Sconut brings those favourites together in a single, delightful treat.
I’ve always enjoyed scones spread with jam and cream, and I’ve always loved doughnuts. Turning those two into one felt like a natural experiment. Picture a classic scone, slightly crumbly and light, scented with cinnamon and nutmeg, then brushed with melted butter, rolled in cinnamon sugar and finally filled with cloud-like whipped cream and a spoonful of bright strawberry jam. Serve it alongside a steaming cup of Bell Tea Original, and you’ve got a perfect weekend indulgence.
Bell Tea has been a familiar presence in many households for generations, often the go-to hot drink for family tea time. This year marks a milestone in their history, celebrating 120 years since the launch of their Original blend back in 1898. Over the decades they’ve expanded their selection to include a variety of blends to suit different tastes, and the Original remains a comforting classic that pairs exceptionally well with baked treats like Sconuts.
Scroll down for a chance to win a Bell Tea prize pack and sample a range of their teas.
- 510 g plain flour
- 5 teaspoons baking powder
- 60 g cold butter, cubed
- Pinch of salt
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup milk (approx.)
- 80 g butter, melted
- 200 g granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 200 ml whipping cream
- 80 g icing sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional: 4 teaspoons water and 1 teaspoon gelatin to stabilise the cream
- Strawberry jam
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl combine the plain flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. Stir thoroughly to distribute the dry ingredients.
- Add the cubed butter and rub it into the dry mix using your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.
- Pour in the milk and vanilla and stir with a knife until the dough just comes together. Add a little more milk if it feels too dry or a touch more flour if it’s too sticky.
- Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently for about a minute. Roll the dough out to roughly 1 cm thickness.
- Use a round cutter or the rim of a glass to cut circles from the dough. Place the rounds on the prepared baking tray, leaving space between them.
- Bake for about 15 minutes, until the Sconuts are risen and cooked through. Remove from the oven and let them cool briefly.
- While the Sconuts bake, prepare the cinnamon sugar and melted butter. Combine the granulated sugar and cinnamon in a bowl.
- As soon as the Sconuts come from the oven, brush each one with melted butter and roll them in the cinnamon sugar to coat. Transfer to a cooling rack and allow to cool completely.
- To make the filling, if using gelatin: sprinkle the gelatin over the water in a small dish and let it bloom for 5 minutes. Microwave briefly (about 10 seconds) to dissolve, then set aside to cool slightly.
- Whip the cream with the icing sugar and vanilla until it begins to thicken. If using gelatin, pour the dissolved gelatin into the cream while whipping on high speed and continue until stiff peaks form. This will help the cream hold its shape inside the Sconuts.
- Slice each cooled Sconut in half, pipe or spoon in the whipped cream, and add a spoonful of strawberry jam. Close and serve immediately with a hot cup of tea.
Giveaway
To celebrate 120 years of Bell Tea, I’m giving away a prize pack to one lucky reader. The pack includes a selection of teas: Original, Kenya Bold, Peppermint, Green Tea and a Strawberry & Mango White Tea. It’s a great way to sample a range of flavours that pair wonderfully with baked treats.
To enter, leave a comment below telling how you like to enjoy a cup of Bell Tea.
One winner will be chosen at random and announced on Saturday 24th November. This giveaway is open to New Zealand residents only. Good luck to everyone who enters.
This is a sponsored post for Bell Tea. I only work with products and brands I know and trust, and all opinions expressed here are my own.