Sunday Roast

Homemade Scones: A Classic British Treat

Scones are one of the most beloved baked goods in the UK, enjoyed with clotted cream and jam as part of a traditional afternoon tea. With a crisp, golden crust and a soft, fluffy interior, homemade scones are easy to make and taste even better fresh from the oven. In this recipe, we’ll show you how to make classic British scones from scratch.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour

• 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar

• 1 tbsp baking powder

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1/2 cup (115g) cold unsalted butter, cubed

• 1/2 cup (120ml) whole milk

• 1 large egg

• 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)

• 1/2 cup (75g) raisins or currants (optional)

• 1 egg yolk + 1 tbsp milk (for egg wash)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
3. Cut in the butter: Add the cold, cubed butter and use your fingers or a pastry cutter to work it into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4. Add wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, and vanilla extract. Gradually add this mixture to the dry ingredients, stirring gently until a dough forms. If using raisins or currants, fold them in.
5. Shape the dough: Lightly flour a surface and gently knead the dough a few times. Roll it out to about 1-inch (2.5cm) thick and use a round cutter to cut out scones.
6. Bake: Place the scones on the prepared baking sheet, brush the tops with the egg wash, and bake for 12–15 minutes or until golden brown.
7. Cool and serve: Let the scones cool slightly, then serve warm with clotted cream and jam.

Tips for Perfect Scones:

• Use cold butter to achieve a flaky texture.
• Handle the dough gently—overworking it can make the scones dense.
• If you don’t have clotted cream, butter or whipped cream makes a great alternative.

Enjoy these homemade British scones with a cup of tea for a truly delightful treat! Let us know how your scones turn out in the comments below. Happy baking!

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