Hi folks. Well if you read my last post (and why wouldn’t you!?!!) then you’ll know that I have discovered the wonder that is cake baking. I have always liked eating cake (who doesn’t) but baking them never really interested me. Oh how all that has changed! I need to rein myself in or I will end up the size of a house!
I started off small with the humble scone and here is the recipe I used:
Makes 8-12
300g plain flour
2 tsp baking powder
pinch of salt
75g cold butter
50g caster sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
120ml milk or cream
handful of raisins
Preheat your oven to 200oC or Gas Mark 6. Mix the dry ingredients, minus the raisins, together then add the butter and rub in with your fingers till the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Mix the egg, vanilla and milk/cream together then add to the breadcrumb mixture, along with the raisins to form a dough. Try not to work the mixture too much as you want the dough to remain light. You could do this in a food processor but I always prefer to do it by hand.
Roll the dough out onto a lightly floured surface till it is about 4-5cm thick. Next take a pastry cutter and cut out your scones – one tip here; try to press the cutter straight down and DON’T twist as this will give you a better rise in the oven.
Place the cut scones onto a lightly greased baking tray and brush the tops with milk or beaten egg to form a nice glaze.
Bake in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes till they are nice and golden. To check they are cooked use a cocktail stick – stick it into the scone and remove; if it comes out clean you know they are cooked. Place the scones on a wire rack and leave to cool for a few minutes. They are best enjoyed warm.
Well all I can say is that these are light and delicious. They have to be served with clotted cream and jam (raspberry or strawberry preferably). Try them for yourselves and enjoy. If you do give them a go I would love to know what you think.
