Plain Scones

Ingredients

350g self-raising flour, plus more for dusting
1 tsp baking powder
85g butter, cut into cubes
3 tbsp caster sugar
175ml milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
squeeze lemon juice 
beaten egg, to glaze

Method

STEP 1
Heat the oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Tip the self-raising flour into a large bowl with ¼ tsp salt and the
baking powder, then mix.

STEP 2
Add the butter, then rub in with your fingers until the mix looks like fine crumbs. Stir in the caster sugar.

STEP 3
Put the milk into a jug and heat in the microwave for about 30 secs until warm, but not hot. Add the
vanilla extract and a squeeze of lemon juice.

STEP 4
Put a baking tray in the oven. Make a well in the dry mix, then add the liquid and combine it and mix – it
will seem wet at first.

STEP 5
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. Take 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.

STEP 6
Brush the tops with a beaten egg, then carefully arrange on the hot baking tray. Bake for 10 mins until
risen and golden on the top.