For me, nothing seems quite as ‘British’ as the idea of a large scone covered in jam and cream, accompanied by a nice cup of tea. There’s something calming about this image, and I think the act of baking scones itself comforting. However, scones vary greatly in shape and size, as well as quality. There’s nothing more disappointing than cutting open a scone and finding it stodgy and hard. No one wants a brick as a base for their jam and cream. Far and wide have I searched for the perfect scone recipe that will give me soft and fluffy scones, yet that are still substantial enough for me to slather on toppings. These fluffy buttermilk scones adapted from Mary Berry’s recipe is the answer.
This recipe uses buttermilk, which is the key to the fluffiness and lightness. When it reacts with the baking powder in the mixture, it allows the scones to rise properly and create the beautiful airy texture. I love using buttermilk in baking. Look out for my favourite buttermilk waffle recipe coming soon, that have a beautiful fluffy texture too!
There are a few types of buttermilk, the most common being the thicker kind found in a plastic pot. In this recipe, I used the thinner kind, found in what looks like a milk carton. Either is fine, but if using the thinner kind, you may need slightly less to get the dough to the right consistency for these fluffy buttermilk scones. I find adding it a little at a time until the dough looks right works well. However, if you end up with a dough that is too wet, don’t worry. You can just add some more flour until it looks right. For help on what the dough should look like see the picture method below.
These scones can be adapted to fit whatever you like. You can add some citrus, with some lemon or orange zest. Alternatively, you could add dried fruit or chocolate chips for extra sweetness. You could even make them savoury by omitting the sugar and adding cheese and chives for example. The possibilities are endless – but either way, you will still have the delicious fluffy texture that makes these scones so tasty. Give them a try!
Fluffy Buttermilk Scones
Ingredients
- 225 g self raising flour
- 1 heaped tsp baking powder
- 40 g butter
- 40 g caster sugar
- 1 large egg
- 100-140 ml buttermilk
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 200°C, and grease a baking tray with a little butter.
- Add the flour, baking powder and butter to a bowl and rub the butter in with your fingertips until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. For a quicker method, you can blitz the ingredients in a food processor.
- Stir in the sugar, and any additional ingredients.
- Beat the egg and buttermilk in a jug, set 1 tbsp aside for the egg wash later, and gradually add the rest to the flour mixture. You may not need it all – the dough should be moist, but still shapable. If you have added too much, try adding some flour to make the dough a little less wet.
- Sprinkle a surface with some flour and tip the dough out. Knead with your hands for a few minutes until it is smooth. Roll with a rolling pin to about 1 inch thick.
- Using a scone cutter, cut out 7-8 scones and place on the baking sheet. Brush with the egg wash you saved from earlier.
- Place in the oven for 12-15 minutes, until golden on top. Leave to cool slightly, and then slice and serve with fresh cream and jam (or any toppings you wish).
Tried this recipe and very nice, even made sons with whole meal flour
Very tasty
I haven’t tried them with wholemeal flour before – good to know they work nicely! Thanks John!
It is really nice! Just be careful with the amount of buttermilk you put in.
Thanks Eve!! I’m glad you enjoyed 🙂
Be still my English heart… Nothing better than fresh scones & tea…
These are easy to make and came out perfectly.
Just trying these scones and the are puffing up well. I’m from Scotland and immigrated to South Australia 1982. I cannot seem to get a decent scone nor apple pie made here?!? So I’m truly hoping these taste as good as they look. I didn’t need all the buttermilk but I’d measured out 140ml and my egg was large. Thank you I’m sure the taste great 😊 they didn’t puff up as much as yours so maybe I’ll add the extra milk and egg next time.
Tried the recipe, put in all the buttermilk and realised I shouldn’t have…. however, added more flour and the recipe was salvaged….. scones looked a bit like paris buns rather than scone shaped, didn’t matter, my fault…..I have to say I was blown away by the fluffiness and airy texture of these scones, so so light. I definitely will be making these again😀
My Husband loves scones and said these are the best I’ve made ( there has been much experimentation over the years).
Thank you for the recipe and will definitely make them again.
Best scone recipe ive tried.. so fluffy..
Loved these scones, light & tasty. Can I just double the ingredients to make more?