Hi there, I hope wherever you are the sun is shining on you today. Here in Kent it is beautifully sunny, with a light breeze. Perfect Summer weather. So much so it inspired me to bake Super Light Scones for breakfast this morning.
Since I don’t make a habit of making scones every morning – in fact, as a general rule I don’t like scones! Well at least the heavy, dense prepackaged ones from the supermarket. I don’t know why, they’re just not my thing. However, it’s Summer and scones with clotted cream and jam are a MUST! And especially the clotted cream has to be Rodda’s from Cornwall!
Coming Up With A Great Scone Recipe
This probably sounds crazy, but I trawled through at least 8 cookbooks this morning, as well as looking online, but I just couldn’t find a recipe I was happy with. So I came up with my own! And it worked! I watch enough Food Network UK to have picked up some tips along the way and the Green Goddess (my friend, but unbiased taste tester) gave them the thumbs up – although she would have preferred them a little sweeter. Just trying to keep it honest round here.
I had these Super Light Scones for my breakfast. They are so light with soft flaky layers inside. I didn’t even use a knife to cut them open, they pulled beautifully apart. I now like scones – these ones!
If you are not in the UK and wish to have the British cream tea experience, but can’t get hold of clotted cream, Mascarpone cheese would make a good substitute. Alternatively book a holiday to the UK and stay in Dorset, Devon or Cornwall – cream tea’s are readily available. Although, I admit, it’s a long way to come for a cup of English tea and a cream scone – or maybe not??
Recipe : Makes Approx 20 Super Light Scones
450g/1lb Plain White Flour
3tsp Baking Powder
1/4tsp Salt
50g/2oz Cold Unsalted Butter
25g/1oz Vegetable Shortening
2tbsp Caster Sugar
250mls/9fl oz Cold Whole Milk
3tbsp Milk – for brushing on top of scones
Method : Preheat oven to 220C/200C fan
Making The Scone Dough
First of all, in a large bowl sift together the flour, baking powder and salt.
Add the sugar and stir through to mix. Make a well in the middle of the mixture, pour in the milk and stir together using a butter knife (ordinary eating knife).
Cutting Out The Individual Scones
Using a straight sided, floured, 2 inch deep cutter, press straight down through the scone dough. Do not twist the cookie cutter as you press down as this will affect the rise on your scones. Cut out as many scones as possible then collect the pieces of dough together, pat out and cut out more scones until the dough is used up.
Baking The Super Light Scones
Place your scones into the oven and bake for 12-14 minutes. The scones are baked when well risen and lightly golden in colour. As soon as they are baked remove from the oven and transfer the scones to a baking rack to cool.
Once cooled, split in half and slather on your favourite jam. For added indulgence add a dollop of clotted cream and some sliced fruit. Enjoy with a refreshing cup of tea.
If you have enjoyed this recipe for Super Light Scones you may also enjoy these:
Cheese Bacon Breakfast Muffins
These are a great treat and perfect for Fathers Day – you could use a larger cutter, just add a couple of minutes onto the baking time.
Most Dads just want to know they are loved. Making or baking them a gift is such a personal way to say I LOVE YOU.
What jam and fruit combo do you like with your scones?
Sammie x
I’m going into the kitchen in a few minutes and making these! They look delicious. I love scones. I’m a huge fig preserves or strawberry person because I always make them homemade. Pears might be good for today too. Thanks for sharing. Today was one of those days where I wanted something but not sure what so you have come to my rescue. Scones it is 💝
Dearest Bea thank you so much for your beautiful comment. I too am a lover of figs, whether fresh, Dried or in preserves. I’m very impressed that you are able to make your own preserve. I hope you enjoy feasting on these as much as you do making them. Xx
Sammie, I love nothing more than a lovely scone with jam (raspberry or strawberry) and clotted cream with a proper cup of tea.
Thank you Jean. I am the same. They are very low in fat as well so if I was to skip the cream….. of course I’m not going to skip the cream! That’s why they are a treat! 😊
I wanted to make a gluten free fruit version of these so I contacted Sammie & she was so helpful, she even gave me a tip on how to stop the fruit sinking to the bottom of the scones! I have just made them and they are the most delicious scones I have ever tasted! So light and it’s so nice to be able to enjoy a tasty, but gluten free, treat. Thank you for your guidance you are a true inspiration and you have helped me find my baking mojo again! Xxx
Ah thank you Gertie. I am so pleased that you were able to make these gluten free. I shall have to try that, maybe with some delicious glacé cherries. So thrilled that you’ve got your baking mojo back and lovely to hear from you. Sammie xx
These look amazing Sammie!! I’m not much of a baker but I am going to have to try these this week — I have a big sweet tooth and tons of ripe strawberries! Do you mind if I link to this recipe in a blog post? 🙂
Hi Gabbi, of course I don’t mind you linking my recipe in a blog post. These scones are soo easy and THE best way to enjoy some of your strawberries! Take car Sammie x
These look amazing! I love fresh scones!
Rachel Coco
Thanks Rachel Marie. I think that’s the key – fresh baked – to good scones. Please let me know if you try this recipe?
Wow these look and sound amazing! I live in Devon so I quite often indulge in a cream tea (too often!) bu I’ve never tried making my own, I may have to give this a go!
Beautiful photographs too! xxx
Ah Thank you Hayley. I LOVE Devon soo much, we holiday there often. These scones are so easy to make, in fact I have the rest of ours to my hairdresser yesterday so I could make some more!! Oh and she’s really lovely I waited to take the photos, the sun makes the strawberries sparkle. Please let me know how you get on if you do make them? I love getting proper, honest feedback.
Amazing post dear!
http://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/printed-sea-3880191
Thank you Iryna for taking time to write a lovely comment.
These look amazing, I have never made my own before but they seem pretty simple.
xxx
Lyndsey
http://www.labeau.co.uk
Thank you for leaving such a lovely comment Lyndsey. Honestly if I were teaching somebody who had never baked before in their lives, I would make this recipe. Simple, quick, with outstanding results!! I amazed myself at how easy to make & then how light and delicious they were to eat! Let me know if you give them a go?
I feel the same way about “other” scones as you do Sammie! Your recipe sounds like it may be the one to turn my opinion around. Lovely photos and great detailed instructions, and I agree wholeheartedly, baking is l-o-v-e! Enjoy the sunshine!
Thanks for your lovely comment Liz. I just can’t eat shop bought scones. These are quite dinky – only 2″ across so they’re perfect to try. Please let me know if you do like them? I won’t be offended if you don’t. I’m not sure I could ever eat Coriander (Cilantro) as a fresh Herb – it always tastes of soap!!!