Afternoon Tea - Scones

I was blogging earlier this week about English Afternoon Tea and one of my readers has asked for a quick and easy recipe for Scones. Here it is, Becky - best eaten warm from the oven with dollops of clotted cream and strawberry jam, home-made if you have some.

Ingredients: (makes 12)
250g plain flour
quarter tsp salt
4tsp baking powder
50g butter - softened and cut into cubes
150ml milk
a little water
milk and flour to finish

Method:

• Heat the oven to 230'C or Gas Mark 8.
• Mix the flour, salt and baking powder in a large bowl. 
• Add the butter and rub in with your fingertips until it looks like breadcrumbs. 
• Make a hole in the centre of the mixture and pour in the milk and mix to a soft spongy dough, adding a little water if it needs it.
• Knead the dough lightly on a well-floured surface. Roll out or flatten until it is 1.5 cms thick.
• Cut into 6 cms circles using a glass as a guide. Put on a baking tray.
• Gather the extra dough into a ball, then flatten and cut out more circles.
• Brush the circles of dough (scones) with milk for a glazed finish or rub with flour for a soft crust.
• Bake in the oven for 8 to 10 minutes until the scones have well risen and golden on top.

• Split open the scones and spread with butter, cream and jam.
• Yummy!