Recipe

Serves:  12 people Prep time:  20 minutes Cooking time:  15 minutes

British | Snack

Ingredients

• 70g blended butter
• 450g self-raising flour
• 70g caster sugar
• 50g raisins, optional
• 150ml semi-skimmed milk
• Extra milk for glazing the scones
• 6-7 tbsps strawberry jam
• ½ pint double cream, very lightly whipped
• 500g strawberries, washed, hulled and cut in half

Method

1. Pre-heat the oven to 180°C, gas mark 4.
2. Carefully rub the butter into the flour, until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.
3. Next, add the caster sugar and raisins (if you are adding) then mix well but lightly, and then add enough milk to form a soft dough.
4. Handle gently, and turn out onto a floured surface, knead slightly, then roll out with a rolling pin, to about 2-3 cm thick. Using a plain or fluted 6cm cutter, cut out 10 scones, there will be a little mixture left, re-roll and cut out two further scones.
5. Place on a parchment lined baking tray and leave to rise for 10 minutes.
6. When ready, brush each one with a little milk and bake in the pre-heated oven for 15 minutes or so until well browned and risen, then remove from the oven and cool.
7. To serve, cut each scone in half, place ½ tbsp of jam onto each half and then top with cream and finally two halves of strawberry.
8. Leaving the scones to rest slightly will give you a lighter end result.
9. Raspberries and blueberries also work well.
10. The quicker you cook the scones, the softer the end result.
11. Raisins are an optional extra; personally I love them in scones.
12. Once cooked and cooled, keep in an airtight bag or container to keep them soft and fresh.