Cheese and Bacon Scones

Method16 steps · about 35 min

1. 1

   Step 1: Preheat the oven to 200°C conventional (392°F) or 180°C fan.

2. 2

   Step 2: Grate the cheese and set aside.

   Uses 100 g cheddar (mature)

3. 3

   Step 3: Put the bacon (100 g) in a frying pan or skillet over a medium heat and cook for a few minutes until cooked through.

   Uses 100 g bacon (streaky bacon (6 rashers))

4. 4

   Step 4: Drain the cooked bacon on kitchen paper for a few minutes, then chop into pieces smaller than 1 cm (about ⅜ inch).

   Uses 100 g streaky bacon fried until cooked through

5. 5

   Step 5: Chop the butter (115 g) into cubes to speed up the mixing process.

   Uses 115 g butter (cold and cubed)

6. 6

   Step 6: Combine the self-raising flour (450 g), extra baking powder, ground paprika (1½ tsp) and prepared cold butter cubes in a food processor or large bowl.

   Uses 450 g self-raising flour · 1½ tsp paprika (ground) · 1 tsp baking powder · 115 g cold butter cubed

7. 7

   Step 7: Either pulse the prepared mixture briefly in a food processor or rub the butter into the flour by hand until it resembles fine breadcrumbs. Transfer to a large mixing bowl if using a processor.

   Uses 450 g self-raising flour extra baking powder paprika cubed butter

8. 8

   Step 8: Stir the prepared chopped cooked bacon and grated mature cheddar into the flour crumb mixture.

   Uses dry butter flour mixture pulsed or rubbed to fine crumbs · same fried bacon drained then diced smaller than 1 cm · 100 g cheddar grated

9. 9

   Step 9: Make a well in the centre of the mixture and add the milk (200 ml).

   Uses 200 ml milk · prepared fine flour crumbs with cooked bacon and grated cheddar

10. 10

    Step 10: Use a dinner knife to draw the prepared dry mixture into the milk until it forms a soft dough.

    Uses dry scone mixture with 200 ml milk added

11. 11

    Step 11: Dust a surface with separate extra flour and gently press the prepared dough to about 2.5 cm (1 inch) thick.

    Uses separate extra flour for dusting work surface · mixture gently combined with dinner knife

12. 12

    Step 12: Use a 6 cm square cutter or a knife to cut the prepared dough into about 16 scones.

    Uses soft dough pressed 2.5 cm thick on separately floured surface

13. 13

    Step 13: Put the squares on a non-stick baking sheet

    Uses prepared dough cut into about 16 squares

14. 14

    Step 14: Mix the egg (1) and water (1 tbsp) together and use a pastry brush to glaze the scones.

    Uses 1 egg · 1 tbsp water · cut dough squares on nonstick baking tray

15. 15

    Step 15: Bake the glazed scones for 15–20 minutes until well risen and golden.

    Bake Scones · 20 minUses prepared scones brushed with egg and 1 tbsp water wash

16. 16

    Step 16: Cool the baked scones on the tray for a few minutes, then transfer to a rack.

    Uses scones baked 15–20 minutes until risen and golden