DATE SCONES

Scones were one of the first things my mum taught me to bake.  It's all about technique, the less handling the better the product. My mum could make a batch of scones in a matter of minutes and it was all ways a great go-to when the family were hungry or some guests were popping around.

Preparation time - 5 minutes

Cooking time - 20 minutes

Skill level - easy 

Makes 10-12 medium sized

Ingredients

3 cups flour

3 tsp baking powder

Pinch salt

100g butter, diced

250g chopped dates

¼ cup cream

1 ½ cups milk (approx)

Method

Preheat oven 190C

Sift dry ingredients into a large mixing bowl.

Rub in the butter with your fingertips until coarse breadcrumb texture occurs.

Add the chopped dates and mix through.

Using a bread and butter knife, add the cream and half the milk.  Cut through the dough with the knife and add more milk if needed. The dough should be sticky but not sloppy!

Bring the dough together with your hands and turn out onto a lightly floured board.

Lightly knead to bring the dough together (this is the vital part of making a fabulous scone that you must not over work it).

Roll out the dough so that it is roughly 1.5 cm thick. Cut into even sized scones or use a cutter. 

Place apart on a baking tray.

Bake for 20 minutes or until golden and cooked through.

Cool briefly before eating.