Rich Fruit Scones

12 minutes - 15 minutes

Makes about 8. Scroll to the bottom of the page to see questions Lindsey has answered on this recpe

This recipe is from Delia's Cakes.

These don’t need clotted cream and preserves – just serve them fresh and warm from the oven with a serious amount of really good butter.

The Delia Online Cookery School: You can watch how to make scones in our video, just click the image to play.

Got a question on Delia's recipes? Ask Lindsey

Ask a Question

Crumbly scones!

Asked by: Sandra

Hi Lindsey I've made Delias fruit scones and although they taste great they are so so crumbly any ideas as to why ?

Answered by Lindsey: Hello, Perhaps there wasn’t enough liquid, or it could be that the dough was overworked and / or the scones were overbaked. If you’re measuring the liquid in a jug, make sure you check the amount at eye level. The dough should be handled gently and feel moist. If there are any crumbs in the bowl it will need a spot more milk. Kind regards Lindsey

Salted or Unsalted Butter?

Asked by: Stephen

Dear Lindsey, The recipes in 'Delia's Cakes' use Lurpak Spreadable or block butter. Can you tell me whether this means the Slightly Salted or Unsalted variety of this brand? The recipe that I was planning to make was for the fruit scones, but the question applies to any of the recipes from the book. I thought that the recipes might require the Slightly Salted version as this would have the salt already included in the butter ingredient of recipe instead of being listed separately. Yours faithfully, Stephen

Answered by Lindsey: Hello Stephen, It is personal preference but we use the slightly salted. Best wishes Lindsey

Plain v Rich Scones

Asked by: Wendy

Hi Lindsey I'm curious as to why in the plain scones and the rich fruit scones the plain use 40g butter and the rich ones 75g butter to the same amount of flour? Is it because the difference in the amount of liquid one using 150 milk and the other 3-4 tablspoons plus an egg or is there another reason? Warmest wishes Wendy x

Answered by Lindsey: Hi Wendy, Is just because they are richer. So more butter and the egg to enrich the dough. All the best, Lindsey x

Method

First sift the flour into a bowl then add the sugar and rub the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture looks crumbly.

Now sprinkle in the dried fruit, pour in the beaten egg and add 3 tablespoons of milk. Start to mix to a dough with a knife, then bring the mixture together using your hands – it should be a soft but not a sticky dough, so add more milk (a teaspoon at a time) if the dough seems too dry. Form the dough into a ball and turn it out onto a lightly floured working surface.

Now, with a floured rolling pin, roll it out very lightly to a thickness of about 3cm. (This thickness is vital. The reason scones don’t rise enough is because they are rolled too thin.) Then take the pastry cutter and tap it sharply so that it goes straight through the dough – do not twist or the scones will turn out a strange shape!

When you have cut as many as you can, knead the remaining dough together again and repeat. Then place the scones on the baking sheet, dust each one with flour and bake near the top of the oven for 12–15 minutes. When they’re done they will have risen and turned a golden brown. Remove them to a cooling tray and serve very fresh, split and spread with butter.