Devonshire Scones
INTRODUCTION
The secret of good scones is not to handle them too much before baking, and to make the mixture on the wet, sticky side. Either eat scones on the day of making or freeze once they have completely cooled. If time allows, thaw them at room temperature for a couple of hours and then refresh in a moderate oven for about 10 minutes. If you like large scones, this amount of mixture will make 8-10 9cm (3 ½ inch) scones.
INSTRUCTIONS
Preparation time: about 15 minutes
Cooking time: 10-15 minutes
Makes 16 small scones
- 450g/1lb self-raising flour
- 2 level tsp baking powder
- 50g/1¾oz caster sugar
- 100g/3½oz butter, softened, cut into pieces
- 2 free-range eggs
- a little milk
- handful sultanas (optional)
- Preheat the oven to 220C/200C Fan/Gas 7. Lightly grease two baking trays.
- Put the flour, baking powder and sugar in a large bowl. Add the butter and rub in with your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.
- Crack the eggs into a measuring jug, then add enough milk to make the total liquid 300ml/10fl oz. Stir the egg and milk into the flour – you may not need it all – and mix to a soft, sticky dough.
- Turn out onto a lightly floured work surface, knead lightly and work in the sultanas, if using. Roll out to a rectangle about 2cm/¾in thick.
- Cut into as many rounds as possible with a fluted 5cm/2in cutter and place them on the prepared baking trays. Brush the tops of the scones with a little extra milk, or any egg and milk left in the jug.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the scones are well risen and a pale, golden-brown colour. Lift onto a wire rack to cool. Eat as fresh as possible.
- To serve, split the scones and serve with strawberry jam on the plain scones along with a good dollop of clotted cream.
- From Mary berry