Apple & Walnut Scones

Scones are just something I don't really make but absolutely love eating, preferably with copious amounts of clotted cream and raspberry jam.  I'm not sure why I don't really make them but they just don't spring to mind ever. I was therefore pleased to see that for this month's Tea Time Treats Challenge, Karen from Lavender and Lovage and Kate from What Kate Baked set us the task of making scones of any variety.

The ultimate scones I've ever eaten are the apple ones served at Claridge's.  If you are ever in London and have the desire for a decadent afternoon tea then hot foot it to this Mayfair establishment and you won't be disappointed.  Their apple scones are small, light and fluffy. So inspired by gluttonous memories I looked for some apple scone recipes and came across this one on Baking Mad (this post isn't sponsored by them btw).  They turned out quite nicely and I liked the flavour and texture of the walnuts - I made them quite small but they definitely are nowhere near as fluffy as the ones at Claridge's.  I served them with a blackberry compote.   I think I do need a proper scone making lesson as the two times I've made them they have been slightly heavy.  I'm luckily going home to my parents in a couple of weeks time so will put the request in for a tutorial from my Mum.

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.