Mary Berry's Devonshire scones recipe
The definitive recipe for traditional scones from the queen of baking
Mary Berry's Devonshire
scones Photo: JEAN
CAZALS
By Mary Berry
The secret to good scones is not to handle them too much before baking, and
to make the mixture on the wet, sticky side.
450g (1lb) self-raising flour
2 rounded tsp baking powder
75g (3oz) butter
50g (2oz) caster sugar
2 large eggs
about 225ml (8fl oz) milk
2 rounded tsp baking powder
75g (3oz) butter
50g (2oz) caster sugar
2 large eggs
about 225ml (8fl oz) milk
Preheat the oven to 220°C/425°F/gas mark 7. Lightly grease two baking-sheets.
Put the flour and baking powder into a bowl. Add the butter and rub it in
until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Stir in the sugar. Beat the eggs
together and make up to 300ml (10fl oz) with the milk, then put about 2 tbsp
aside in a cup for later. Gradually add the egg mixture to the dry ingredients,
stirring it in until you have a soft dough. It is far better that the scone
mixture is on the wet side, sticking to your fingers, as the scones will rise
better.
Turn the dough out on to a lightly floured surface and flatten it to a thickness of 1-2cm (½-1in). Use a 5cm (2in) fluted cutter to stamp out the scones by pushing it straight down into the dough (as opposed to twisting it), then lifting it straight out. This ensures that they rise evenly. Gently push the remaining dough together, knead lightly, reroll and cut out more.
Arrange on the prepared baking-sheets and brush the tops with the reserved beaten egg mixture to glaze. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, until well risen and golden, then transfer to a wire rack and leave to cool, covered with a clean tea towel to keep them moist.
Serve as fresh as possible, cut in half and spread generously with strawberry jam. Top with a good spoonful of thick cream as well, if you like.
From 'My Kitchen Table: 100 Cakes and Bakes' (BBC, £7.99), by Mary Berry
Sounds jolly good!
Turn the dough out on to a lightly floured surface and flatten it to a thickness of 1-2cm (½-1in). Use a 5cm (2in) fluted cutter to stamp out the scones by pushing it straight down into the dough (as opposed to twisting it), then lifting it straight out. This ensures that they rise evenly. Gently push the remaining dough together, knead lightly, reroll and cut out more.
Arrange on the prepared baking-sheets and brush the tops with the reserved beaten egg mixture to glaze. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, until well risen and golden, then transfer to a wire rack and leave to cool, covered with a clean tea towel to keep them moist.
Serve as fresh as possible, cut in half and spread generously with strawberry jam. Top with a good spoonful of thick cream as well, if you like.
From 'My Kitchen Table: 100 Cakes and Bakes' (BBC, £7.99), by Mary Berry
Sounds jolly good!
V.G.
