About MissCakeBaker

I spend the week running in heels and the weekends in my apron.

Sunday, 17 April 2011

Sultana Scones





This recipe is for Dom at Belleau Kitchen's Random Recipe challenge. The challenge this month states that a random recipe must be cooked from your first ever cookbook. I unfortunately don't have my first one still which was, I think, The Usborne Beginner's Cookbook. I'm really disappointed about this as there is a fair chance I would have spent this morning making my favourite Chocolate Cornflake cakes! I had a look on my bookshelf and after some deliberation decided that my oldest book on there is Eat Drink Live by Fran Warde, which was given to me by a friend many years ago.

I admit that to get a baking recipe it took a few random openings but on the third attempt I came to the Sultana Scones page. While I know this isn't the most exciting thing to bake I was actually really pleased as I've never made scones before. It was also quite appropriate as I know Dom is currently looking for the perfect scone recipe so he triumphs at his village fete competition. Mine are certainly not perfect - they are a bit heavy which I think was due to over kneading. They wouldn't make the afternoon tea bill at Claridge's - they reminded more me of the type served at Watford Gap Services! So I think more practice is necessary but the clotted cream and jam certainly elevated them up a level....

On a final note, I was wondering what the correct pronunciation of scone is - I'm in the minority that I say scone as in cone rather than scone as in con. I thought this poem I found online summed it up nicely:

"I asked the maid in dulcet tone
To order me a buttered scone
The silly girl has been and gone
And ordered me a buttered scone."

The Recipe

500g self raising flour
125g butter, diced
100g sultanas
300ml milk, plus extra for glazing

1. Preheat the oven to 220c/Gas 7. Lightly dust a baking sheet with flour.
2. Sift the flour into a large mixing bowl, then rub in the butter with your fingertips until the mixture looks like fine breadcrumbs. Stir in the sultanas.
3. Make a well in the centre and pour in the milk. Mix with a round-bladed knife until the mixture is soft and spongy.
4. Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for a couple of minutes until smooth. Roll out the dough to a thickness of 2.5cm. Use a 6cm biscuit cutter to cut out 6-8 rounds. Brush the tops of the scones with a little milk
5. Put on the baking sheet and cook for 10-12 minutes.

16 comments:

  1. I say scone an in cone! :D I'm so glad to have found some one else who does aswell :)

    And hey, just because it's been done before doesn't mean that it's not exciting - I think if it's the first time you've made it then that's pretty exciting in itself :) And it looks like it turned out very well!

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  2. love it! a double whammy for me too, so thank you so much, I love the way this challenge has got people really thinking about their cook book collections. Thanks so much for taking part! Domx

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  3. My first cookbook was that wonderful little Usborne one too- it had all the little people, stirring their creations and showing you how to bake! The first thing I ever cooked was the chocolate cake from that book...bringing back very happy memories there. Infact I'm almost certain my parents still have it!

    katesbakesandcakes

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  4. I love sultanas (or any dried fruit) in scones. They just make it so much more yummy. These look perfect, by the way. I need to make scones I've not had great sucess with them thus far.

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  5. I made s "con" es at the weekend too. Cheese and fruit ones. Yummy !

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  6. Thanks for the comments!
    Xinmei - yay a fellow 'scone'person!
    Kate - I loved that book too!

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  7. I love these scones are amazing! look delicious, gloria

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  8. I like the little poem at the end. I'm a scone as in con person I'm afraid.
    I think my first cook book was the Roald Dahl's Revolting Recipes book. It's got some pretty awesome recipes in there, I may have to rekindle my love for it!
    All the best, Natasha from the Rambles and Shambles blog.

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  9. Ha ha, we were having the very same argument at work the other day - apparently it depends on what side of the Pennines you come from!!! I come from Cornwall and I say scone as in"put upon". But I was very pleased to see you put the cream on the right way ;-)

    I think the key to scones is not to knead them at all, just try and bring the mixture together as lightly as possible and roll out as soon as it's together.

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  10. Yes I think not kneading is the key - I've heard that from a few people since posting including my Mum! I'm going to retry them and will report back.

    Choclette - I did have a little think about the cream so pleased you like that order!

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  11. You do make me giggle and I'm totally with you on the pronunciation. Scones actually seem to cause quite a few disagreements. My book was Jamie's Italy and I cooked rather than baked! Very scary.

    I love Dom's random recipe challenge, it's so much fun and your scones look great even if they were a little heavy. x

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  12. they definately look perfect though!
    all your photos are great

    <3

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  13. I say scone to rhyme with gone, as does everyone at work (in Gloucestershire) and everyone back home (Ireland). But I know a lot of people who pronounce it to rhyme with bone, so I don't know which is officially correct! Yours look great, they've risen beautifully :-) Can't beat a scone (however you pronounce it) with a thick spreading of jam.

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  14. They look wonderful - I love s"cone"s, but would have to pick out the sultanas!!!

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  15. Hi Sarah. I found your blog through Dom's at Belleau Kitchen. I love scones and yours look great. My favourite topping is clotted cream and golden syrup. Do give it a try... :)

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  16. Wow clotted cream and golden syrup! That sounds like it could be far too good!!

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