Hot cross scones

Whip these up in a matter of minutes and enjoy the spicy goodness of hot crossed buns but with no yeast and no need to wait for the dough to prove.

Ingredients:

  • 225g self-raising flour, plus extra
  • for dusting
  • 75g butter, softened
  • 40g light muscovado sugar
  • 75g small sultanas
  • 50g cut mixed peel
  • ½ tsp ground mixed spice
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 4 tbsp milk, plus extra for brushing
  • 50g plain flour
  • 2 tbsp caster sugar

Method:

Preheat the oven to 220°C. Sift the self-raising flour into a large bowl; rub in the butter with your fingertips. Stir in the muscovado sugar, sultanas, peel and spice.

In a jug, beat together the egg, milk and a pinch of salt. Pour into the flour mixture and bring together to make a soft dough.

Lightly dust a work surface with extra flour, then roll out the dough to no thinner than 2cm. Using a 4cm cutter, stamp out the rounds – try not to twist the cutter, as this makes the scones rise unevenly. Re-roll the trimmings and stamp out more. Transfer to a non-stick baking sheet.

Make the crosses. Mix together the plain flour and 1-2 tablespoons of water and knead to make a smooth dough. Roll out, cut into thin strips and put a cross on top of each scone. Brush with milk, then bake for 15 minutes, until well risen and golden.

For the glaze, dissolve the sugar in 2 tablespoons boiling water. Use to brush the tops of the scones as soon as they come out of the oven. Cool slightly on a wire rack. Eat while warm, or split and toast the next day and serve with a smudge of butter.

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