Make these easy fruit scones in just 15 minutes. They’re perfect for an elegant afternoon tea or a sweet weekend treat. Serve with jam and clotted cream
Cook:5 mins – 10 mins
Serves 8
350g self-raising flour, plus more for dusting¼ tsp salt1 tsp baking powder85g butter, cut into cubes3 tbsp caster sugar175ml milk1 tsp vanilla extractsqueeze of lemon juice100g sultanasbeaten egg to glazejam and clotted cream, to serve
STEP 1Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Tip the flour into a large bowl with the salt and baking powder, then mix. Add the butter, then rub in with your fingers until the mix looks like fine crumbs. Stir in the sugar.STEP 2Put the milk into a jug and heat in the microwave for about 30 secs until warm, but not hot. Add the vanilla and lemon juice, then set aside for a moment. Put a baking sheet in the oven.STEP 3Make a well in the dry mix, then add the liquid and sultanas and combine it quickly with a cutlery knife – it will seem pretty wet at first. Scatter some flour onto the work surface and tip the dough out. Dredge the dough and your hands with a little more flour, then fold the dough over 2-3 times until it’s a little smoother. Pat into a round about 4cm deep.STEP 4Take a 5cm cutter (smooth-edged cutters tend to cut more cleanly, giving a better rise) and dip it into some flour. Plunge into the dough, then repeat until you have four scones. You may need to press what’s left of the dough back into a round to cut out another four.STEP 5Brush the tops with beaten egg, then carefully place onto the hot baking tray.STEP 6Bake for 10 mins until risen and golden on the top. Eat just warm or cold on the day of baking, generously topped with jam and clotted cream. If freezing, freeze once cool. Defrost, then put in a low oven (about 160C/140C fan/gas 3) for a few mins to refresh.
