Homemade scones that are 'to die for' require only three ingredients and 12 minutes of preparation time. Scones are a quintessentially British treat, best enjoyed with a generous dollop of quality jam and clotted cream. Sweet and utterly irresistible, they are the kind of indulgence that makes abandoning a diet entirely worthwhile, and they are surprisingly straightforward to whip up, meaning you need not wait for a fancy afternoon tea to tuck in.
Summer Afternoon Tea Inspiration
Summer is the ideal time for a leisurely, indulgent afternoon tea while relaxing in the cool shade or soaking up the sunshine. If you have been inspired watching The Great British Bake Off and fancy having a go at baking, scones are a brilliant place to start. Baking scones is fairly simple, as you merely combine all the ingredients in a single bowl and mix together. However, if you want to streamline the process even further, experts recommend using just three basic ingredients.
Expert Tips for Perfect Scones
Baking enthusiast Georgie, who runs the food blog The Home Cook's Kitchen, has shared an 'easy' recipe for scones that are like 'biting into a piece of heaven.' She said: 'These scones are really easy to make and only require three simple ingredients – lemonade (Sprite), cream and self-raising flour.' Georgie noted that using self-raising flour is absolutely essential as it acts as the rising agent, while the lemonade will make them 'light, fluffy and just a little bit sweet.'
By swapping butter for double cream, you will achieve a softer, more moist scone texture. This also means considerably less effort is needed when preparing your dough, as you can bypass the tiresome step of combining butter and flour by hand. Lemonade is the secret ingredient that gives your scones a wonderfully light texture. The carbonation within the fizzy drink produces bubbles, which become trapped inside the dough. These tiny air pockets expand throughout the baking process, aerating the dough and causing the scones to rise. This ultimately delivers that gloriously light and fluffy outcome you are after.
Alongside using lemonade to make scones delightfully fluffy, it is equally important not to overwork the dough. Georgie advised: 'To make the dough come together, you want to 'cut' or mix the dough with a knife. This will help you avoid overkneading.'
Simple Scone Recipe
Ingredients
- Four and a half cups of self-raising flour
- One and a quarter cups of double cream
- One and half cups of lemonade
- One tablespoon of milk, for glazing the tops of the scones
Method
- Begin by preheating your oven to 200C/180C Fan/Gas Mark 6, then sift the flour into a large bowl before incorporating the cream and lemonade.
- Using a knife, carefully 'mix' or 'cut' the dough until it comes together. Flour a surface liberally and, with floured hands, turn the dough out onto your prepared surface.
- The dough will be quite sticky, so it is advisable to ensure both your surface and hands are well floured when rolling it out. Should it prove too sticky to handle, return the dough to the bowl and incorporate a little additional flour until it becomes manageable. The dough ought to be sticky, but not so much that it is impossible to work with.
- Form into a rectangle roughly 4cm thick and dip a wine glass in flour. Cut out rounds and arrange on a lined baking tray. Reshape the remaining dough, and continue cutting until you have used it all up.
- Brush the tops of the scones with a little milk. The milk will assist with browning. You just need to apply a light coating.
- Pop in the oven for 25 to 35 minutes until they turn golden brown on top. The scones should be gently browned on top and airy and fluffy in the centre. Serve with whipped cream and fresh raspberry jam.
