Scones

Ever since visiting the vintage tea room the other day I have wanted to stuff my face with cakes and scones on delightful little tea sets. Unfortunately, being lactose intolerant, I can't just nip out and purchase a big fat cake. So this week, I have actually had some time to bake and decided to make them all!!
Today I am starting with Scones. Some people pronounce them Skons, some Scones (as in stones), I don't mind as long as they are in my tummy!

From looking around at recipes and from what people said, they were difficult to make. But I found these so quick and easy, and even my man complimented them.

So, what do you need:
(to make 8)
* 250g self raising flour
* a pinch of salt
* 50g caster sugar
* unsalted butter, cold
* 1 egg
* 100ml full fat milk
* 50g sultanas (optional)

How do I make these:
1. Pre-heat the oven to 200C.

2. In a bowl mix the flour, sugar and salt.

3. Then cut the butter up and add to the mix. Using your hands rub the butter into the flour until you get breadcrumb like mix. If your using sultanas, add them here.

4. In a separate bowl, mix the egg and the milk together. Then add this to the flour mix. Use a knife and cut into the mix, this prevents the mix from being over kneaded.

5. When mixed into a rough dough, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Gently kneed for a few seconds.

6. Pat the dough down until roughly 3cm deep. Then using a 6cm cutter, cut out your scones. Lay on a baking tray. The will rise up, but not expand outwards very much.

7. Using a bit of milk wash the top for a nice golden colour. Then pop them into the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes until lovely and golden.

When they come out let them cool slightly, then serve. Preferably with strawberry jam and clotted cream!

Now depending on where you are from, you need to make sure  you have your cream and jam the right way around. In Cornwall they butter their scones, then put on jam, and then clotted cream on the top. In Devon, where people argue the cream tea started, they have clotted cream first and then the jam on top.
If you can't get your hands on clotted cream, or can't have it like myself, lightly whipped cream can be used. Some people also have something called 'Thunder and Lightning' which is when you take half of your scone, put on your cream, and then top with honey, or syrup. Yum, yum, yum!

Now to eat mine with a lovely pot of tea :)