Scones

Scones - makes 6 - 8

Ingredients
8oz self raising flour
2oz cold butter
Pinch of salt
Heaped teaspoon baking soda or bicarb
5 fluid oz cold milk.

Method

1. Pre-heat oven to 220 degrees Gas 6

2. Sift the flour, salt and baking powder into a large bowl

3. Cut the cold butter into 5 or 6 small cubes and rub it into flour with fingertips until you get a breadcrumb-like mixture.

4. Make a well and add the cold milk.

5. Cut and mix the mixture with a cold metal cutlery knife until it becomes a sticky dough.
(You can do all this in a food processor on pulse, ensuring the blade is cold)

6. Empty to dough out on to a lightly floured board and pat it flat to about three quarters of an inch thick. DO NOT KNEED

7. Using a pastry cutter, cut out scones. Do not twist the cutter. Pat out the dough left over to cut out more scones to use it all up.

8. Place scones close together on a lightly greased baking tray and brush the tops with milk.

9. Bake in the top of the oven for 12-15 minutes (till golden on top)

10. Remove and cool on a mesh.

For bran, add 2 tbsp. wheat bran; For fruit, add sultanas and 1 oz caster sugar. For cheese add a handful of grated cheese during the mix and sprinkle some on top of each scone.