A food blogger has revealed that the key to making perfectly risen, fluffy scones lies in an unexpected ingredient: lard. Thanh Berthou of the food blog Eat Little Bird claims that adding lard or vegetable shortening to the dough results in scones that are extra tall, soft, and light.
Berthou, who previously favoured Nigella Lawson's 'Lily's Scones' recipe, developed her own version after extensive experimentation. She explained that the high fat content in lard prevents gluten from developing, producing a softer and flakier texture. During baking, the fat creates air pockets that help the scones rise and keep them moist, potentially extending their shelf life.
The recipe takes just 10 minutes to prepare and 10 minutes to bake, making it ideal for a quick treat. Berthou recommends rubbing cold butter and lard into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles damp sand, then adding milk to form a dough. The dough should be handled minimally to avoid overworking, then cut into rounds and baked at 220°C for 10 to 15 minutes until golden brown.
While the use of lard may seem unusual, it is a traditional fat that has been used in baking for centuries. Berthou's method promises scones that are both delicious and easy to make, perfect for slathering with jam and clotted cream.
