Recipe: Easy Basic Scones Recipe

I have to admit. I love bread. Bread is one thing I can't give up no matter what I do.

People have a misconception about baking bread. Cookies and cupcakes seem easier. Personally, I think breads for home consumption is easier than the sometimes unforgiving cookies and cupcakes. I find that I can easily adjust any bread recipe and it will still taste good (and not to mention filling). Bread uses a lot of starch but not as much sugar.

Yesterday, I was craving for bread but don't want to wait for a normal bread to rise. Good thing I've been browsing my favorite YouTube channels a couple of days before and came across a recipe by Eugenie of Eugenie Kitchen (follow her on YouTube, if you haven't yet!). Her recipe for scones is one of the easiest to follow.

Basic British Scones

What you will need:

2 cups cake flour (or normal AP flour)
1 tbsp caster sugar (very fine white sugar)
4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
4 tbsp or half a stick of cold butter, cubed
2/3 cup whole milk
1 egg, for mixture
1 egg, for egg wash

What you need to do:

1. Preheat oven at 200 degrees Celsius (400 degrees Fahrenheit).

2. In a bowl, sift together 2 cups flour, 1 tbsp sugar, 4 tsp baking powder and 1/2 tsp of salt. Mix until combined.

3. Add cold butter and cut into flour with fingers. You can also use a pastry blender to mix. For an easier process, use food processor. I used the hand method so it took a bit longer. We are looking for a sand-like consistency to the mixed flour and butter.
Note: In the Philippines, because it's humid/hot, butter tend to melt easily, so make sure to cube it and bring it back to the fridge and take it out only if you need it.

You would want a sand-like texture after mixing butter and flour.

4. In a separate bowl, crack an egg and beat it lightly. Make a well in the middle of the flour mixture and add beaten egg and milk. Fold until moistened.
Note: If you want a savoury scone, here's where you add ingredients like bacon or diced ham. If you want a scone with a bite into it, you can also add dried cranberry or raisins or for a more Filipino touch dried mangoes.