BLACK CURRANT SCONES RECIPES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 220C/200C Fan/Gas 7. Lightly grease two baking trays.
• Put the flour, baking powder and sugar in a large bowl. Add the butter and rub in with your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.
• Crack the eggs into a measuring jug, then add enough milk to make the total liquid 300ml/10fl oz. Stir the egg and milk into the flour – you may not need it all – and mix to a soft, sticky dough.
• Turn out onto a lightly floured work surface, knead lightly and work in the sultanas, if using. Roll out to a rectangle about 2cm/¾in thick.
• Cut into as many rounds as possible with a fluted 5cm/2in cutter and place them on the prepared baking trays. Brush the tops of the scones with a little extra milk, or any egg and milk left in the jug.
• Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the scones are well risen and a pale, golden-brown colour. Lift onto a wire rack to cool. Eat as fresh as possible.
• To serve, split the scones and serve with strawberry jam on the plain scones along with a good dollop of clotted cream.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Put the flour, oats, butter and sugar in a bowl, squash together with your fingers into a crumble texture, sprinkle over a baking tray and bake for 10 mins, stirring and roughly breaking up halfway through cooking. Can be done up to 2 days ahead, and stored in an airtight container.
• Meanwhile, put the strawberries, sugar and cornflour in a large pan. Stir together and set over a medium heat. Cook until the strawberries just start to release their juices and soften, then stir in the remaining berries. Transfer to an ovenproof baking dish.
• When the crumble topping is cooked, sprinkle it over the fruit, and place back in the oven for a further 15 mins until bubbling and golden. Leave for 5 mins before serving with ice cream or custard.