How to make the best classic scones
There’s a reason the classic scone is a timeless snack. Here is a classic, go-to recipe that you just KNOW is going to result in perfect scones every single time.
Prep time: 15 mins
Cook time: 12 mins
Ingredients
3 cups self-raising flour
100g unsalted butter, chopped
1 cup milk
Extra flour, for dusting
Jam and whipped cream, for serving
Method
1. Preheat oven to 220C. Dust an oven tray with extra flour. Sift flour into a large mixing bowl. Add butter. Use your fingertips to rub butter into flour until mixture resembles breadcrumbs.
2. Make a well in the centre. Add milk and mix with a butter knife until mixture comes together to form a soft loose dough. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead briefly (about 30 seconds) until dough is smooth.
3. Use the palm of your hand to press dough into a 2cm thick round. Use a 5cm cookie cutter to cut 12 rounds from dough. Place rounds onto prepared tray, about 2cm apart. Dust with a small amount of flour.
4. Bake for 12 minutes or until golden brown. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Serve warm or at room temperature with jam and cream.
COOK'S TIPS
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If you don’t have a cookie cutter on hand, just form the dough into a rectangular shape. Use a sharp knife to cut dough into 12 rectangles.
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You can re-roll any scraps but try to limit the amount of times you re-roll to once, as the scones won’t be as light and tender.
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Wrapping warm cooked scones with a clean tea-towel will give them a soft crust.
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If the weather is really cold, and you’re finding it hard to soften your butter at room temperature, chill your butter and grate it. This will make it easy to incorporate it into the flour.
Images: Getty