There’s nothing more perfect than sitting down and enjoying an afternoon treat! Scones are a tradition for a reason, loved by everyone, whichever way they enjoy it. Some people think they’re a little finicky to get right, but with these tips and tricks, you can’t go wrong!

• Handle the dough as little as possible, you want to incorporate the butter but not melt it

• Get a damp tea towel to hand for when the scones come out of the oven, it will keep them soft and moist as they cool down

This recipe makes 6 scones

Ingredients

250g self raising flour

2 tsp baking powder

45g caster sugar

100g sultanas

1 egg

75ml milk

50g cubed, cold butter

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 200°c

2. Sift together the flour, baking powder and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Add the butter and mix until it forms into a consistency like breadcrumbs, then add the sultanas

3. In a separate bowl, mix together the egg and the milk, then pour it into the dry ingredients. Combine everything together with a butter knife until it forms a soft dough

4. Tip the dough out onto your work surface and knead it a little until the dough is smooth - be careful not to over-knead it, you want to keep the butter in the dough as cold as possible

5. Press the dough into a 4cm thick rectangle and portion out the dough into circles with an 8cm cutter

6. Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the scones are golden - make sure to cover them with a damp tea towel as soon as they come as this will keep them moist as they cool

7. Serve with the jam and cream of your choice!