Scones are a quintessential summer treat, best enjoyed on a warm day as part of a picnic. And thanks to Mary Berry, making them from scratch is incredibly easy. Her plain scones require just 10 minutes of preparation before baking for another 10 minutes, resulting in a delightful treat in a mere 20 minutes.
The key to success lies in not overworking the dough. As Mary Berry herself notes in her cookbook, ‘Fast Cakes: Easy Bakes in Minutes’, the secret to a good scone is to avoid a dry mixture and excessive handling. If the dough feels too stiff, simply add more milk until it’s manageable.
This recipe is perfect for a sunny day, whether you’re enjoying a picnic or an afternoon tea. Here’s how to make Mary Berry’s plain homemade scones:
Ingredients (makes 10):
* 225g self-raising flour
* 50g cold butter
* 25g caster sugar
* 1 level teaspoon baking powder
* 1 large egg
* 125ml milk
Kitchen Equipment:
* Round 8cm biscuit cutter
* Baking sheet
Method:
1. Preheat your oven to 220°C (200°C Fan/Gas Mark 7) and lightly grease a baking sheet.
2. In a bowl, combine the flour and baking powder. Add the cold butter and rub it in until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Stir in the sugar.
3. Crack the egg into a measuring jug, beat it lightly, and add 125ml of milk. Pour most of this mixture into the flour, reserving one tablespoon for glazing later. Mix into a dough and turn it onto a lightly floured surface.
4. Knead the dough lightly and roll it out to a thickness of 1.25cm. Use the biscuit cutter to cut out 10 scones and place them on the baking sheet.
5. Brush the tops of the scones with the reserved egg and milk mixture.
6. Bake for 10 minutes, or until they turn a pale golden brown. Remove from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool.
Your delicious homemade scones are now ready to be enjoyed with butter, jam, cream, or your favorite filling.
