CAROLINE'S SCONES

Ingredients

350g self-raising flour  3tbsp caster sugar 1 tsp baking powder   85g butter, in cubes

180ml milk  1 tsp vanilla extract  A small squeeze of lemon juice Pinch of salt

Method

Sift flour, salt and baking powder. Gently rub butter in until mixture looks like fine crumbs. Stir in sugar. Put milk into a pan and warm slightly, add vanilla and lemon juice and stir. Add to flour and mix to a dough. Tip out onto floured surface then pat until 4cm deep. Use a 5 cm cutter to cut out scones. Glaze with a beaten egg. Place on greased and lined baking tray and bake at 180C/gas 7 for approx. 10 mins.

For fruit: add a handful of sultanas, glace cherries and currants.

For cheese: omit the sugar and vanilla. Add a handfuls of grated cheese (use a strong flavour) and a pinch of paprika.

Delicious served warm as a tea-time treat (or any time!)