There’s nothing quite as comforting as a freshly baked scone. Light, buttery, and perfectly crumbly, scones have remained a beloved afternoon tea classic. Whether served plain, topped with jam and clotted cream, or enhanced with fruits, spices, or cheese, they offer simple yet delicious indulgence. Scones are also quick to prepare, requiring basic pantry staples such as flour, butter, milk, sugar, and eggs.
Whilst shop-bought versions are readily available, homemade scones taste far superior when enjoyed straight from the oven alongside a steaming cup of tea. For the “best” results, Rebecca McLeod, a classically trained chef and pastry chef behind food blog Bec’s Table, has revealed several essential guidelines.
Amongst her expert baking advice is a key ingredient that elevates your scones, reports the Express.
She recommends incorporating soda water or lemonade into your mixture for an “extra rise”.
The chef explained that these carbonated liquids “add lightness” to your scones, creating a fluffier texture.
Rebecca noted that scones prepared with soda water will be “slightly less sweet”, rendering them ideal for savoury accompaniments, or as a swift bread option alongside soups.
For those preferring sweeter treats, simply incorporate sugar or swap the soda water for lemonade. Additionally, confirm the lemonade is fizzy to ensure the scones rise uniformly.
For those whose scones fail to achieve the desired height, the dough is probably too thin. To create a taller scone, make certain your dough measures at least 3cm in thickness before cutting.
Place them on a sided baking tray so they’re touching one another, which helps them rise vertically instead of spreading outwards.
A further suggestion concerns using the correct amount of baking powder, which gives your scones “the perfect lift”.
It’s equally important to avoid overworking the mixture whilst making scones, as this develops gluten, which can “make your scones tough”.
Rebecca advised: “Keep your mixing light. Whether you’re using your hands, a bowl scraper, or even a food processor, mix the ingredients just until they come together. This is key to achieving that tender, fluffy scone recipe result.”
