Light fluffy scones filled with cream and jam make the perfect afternoon tea treat. This recipe can easily be adapted to make cheese or fruit scones. See notes below.
Preheat the oven to 200℃ (180℃ fan)/400°F/gas mark 6. Lightly grease or butter a baking tray.
Place 350g (12oz) flour in a mixing bowl with 1 teaspoon baking powder. Rub in 75g (3oz) butter until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Stir in 50g (2oz) caster sugar.
Pour in most of the 175ml (6floz) milk. Use a dinner knife to start to mix the milk into the mixture then finish bringing the dough together with your fingers. Take care not to over handle the dough.
Roll out on a lightly floured work surface to about 2cm (1in) thick. Cut out scones with 7cm (2¾in) round cookie cutter and place on the baking tray. gently re-roll trimmings and cut out more scones until all the dough is used.
Brush the tops of the scones with the remaining milk and bake in the centre of the oven for 12–15 minutes until risen and golden.
Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Serve split and filled with jam and cream.
Notes
Fruit sconesAdd 50-75g (2-3oz) sultanas.Cheese SconesOmit the caster sugar and stir in 75g (3oz)finely grated cheddar cheese instead. A few sliced spring onions also makes a great addition to cheese scones.Cook's Tip
The trick to light fluffy scones is to handle the mixture lightly. Just enough to bring the dough together. I use the knife to begin with as this helps to avoid being overly heavy handed.
I get 6–7 larger scones from this mixture but you could use smaller cutters and make more. The baking time may be reduced slightly so watch they do not burn.
If you want a shiny surface you can brush with a little beaten egg mixed with a few drops of water (egg wash).
Store
They are best on the day they are made but will keep for a day or two in an airtight container.
Freeze: in a polythene bag for up to 3 months. Defrost for 2–3 hours at room temperature. Reheat in a warm oven 150℃ /130℃ fan/ gas mark 2 for 5–10 minutes.
Nutrition information is approximate and is meant as a guideline only. ( For plain scones - It does not include jam and cream)