Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. If you don’t have parchment, greasing a cookie sheet will work just fine. This prevents the scones from sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
In a small bowl, sprinkle the chopped strawberries with half a tablespoon of sugar and set them aside. This step is important as it allows the berries to release some of their juices, making them even sweeter and more flavorful.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the remaining sugar with the flour, baking powder, and salt. Use a whisk to ensure everything is evenly distributed. This is the base of your scone dough.
Next, cut in the butter using a pastry cutter or two knives. If you prefer, you can also use your fingers. The goal is to blend until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. This step is key to creating the flaky texture that scones are known for.
Once you have the crumb mixture, stir in the reserved strawberries along with the half and half or whipping cream. Mix gently until the dough just comes together. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough scones.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead the dough gently just a few times, until the dry ingredients are incorporated. If the dough is sticky, sprinkle a little more flour on your hands and work surface to make handling easier.
Shape the dough into a circle about three-quarters of an inch thick and transfer it to the prepared baking sheet. Cut the circle into 8 wedges like a pie, pulling the wedges out from the center to create space between each scone. This allows them to bake evenly and gives them a beautiful shape.
Bake the scones in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. After this time, sprinkle with coarse sugar and return to the oven for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, until they are golden brown and spring back when touched. Keep an eye on them to avoid over-baking. You want them moist and tender, not dry.
Once baked, remove the scones from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a couple of minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This helps maintain their texture.
