Fruity scones

Scones need a light touch or they can become tough and heavy

Scones need a light touch or they can become tough and heavy, so handle them as little as possible. Roll them out quite thickly to start with; they never rise as much as you think they will. As the dough is quite deep, dip the cutter in flour before cutting out each scone to prevent the dough from sticking to it.

Method

Preheat the oven to 220°C/ fan 200°C/425°f/gas mark 7. Lightly grease a large baking sheet. Mix the flour, baking powder and butter cubes, then stir in the sugar and sultanas.

Pour 100ml of the milk and all but 2tbspn of the beaten egg into the flour mixture. Mix together with a round-bladed knife to a soft, but not too sticky dough, adding a bit more milk if needed to mop up any dry bits of mixture in the bottom of the bowl. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface, lightly knead a few times only until gathered together, then gently roll and pat out to form a rectangle about 2cm (1in) deep. Cut out as many rounds as possible from the first rolling with a 6cm (3in) cutter (a plain cutter is easier to use than a fluted one) and lay them on the baking sheet, spaced slightly apart. Gather the trimmings, then roll and cut out again. Repeat until you have 10 scones.

Brush the tops of the scones with the reserved egg. Bake for about 10 minutes, or until risen and golden. Remove and cool on a wire rack.

From ‘Mary Berry’s Cookery Course’ (DK, £17.99)

Ingredients Makes 10

75g butter, chilled and cut into cubes, plus extra for greasing 350g self-raising flour, plus extra for dusting 1½tspn baking powder 30g caster sugar 75g sultanas 150ml milk 2 large eggs, beaten