Irish Raisin Tea Scones

Ingredients

• 4 cups cake flour (half cake flour and half whole wheat pastry flour can be used)
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 ounces butter (1 stick)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 3/4 cups golden raisins
• 3/4 cups raisins
• 2 medium eggs
• 3/4 cups whole milk
• 1 medium egg (mix with a drop of milk for egg wash)
• 2 tablespoons sugar (to sprinkle on top of unbaked scones)

Instructions

1. 1

   Sift the flour, salt and baking powder into a large mixing bowl.

2. 2

   Cut the butter into small pieces, then rub into the flour using a dough blender, or rub the butter and flour between your hands and fingers. Blend the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.

3. 3

   Add the sugar and mix.

4. 4

   Add both kinds of raisins and mix well, making certain to break up any clumps of raisins.

5. 5

   Beat the eggs and milk together. Make a well in the middle of the dry ingredients and pour in most of the liquid. Reserve a little to add only if the dough is too dry.

6. 6

   Mix with a large spoon or your hand to pull the flour and milky eggs together into a soft-but-not-too-sticky dough. Add some extra flour if the dough is sticking to the sides of the bowl.

7. 7

   Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Sprinkle with a little more flour. Knead the dough lightly.

8. 8

   Flatten to a round about an inch-and-a-half high. This can be done with your hands or by lightly rolling out the dough.

9. 9

   Use a biscuit cutter to cut out round shapes. Place the scones on a greased baking tray.

10. 10

    Brush the top of the scones with an eggwash (one beaten egg with a little drop of milk). Then sprinkle the top with a little sugar.

11. 11

    Bake in a pre-heated 425 degree oven for 10 minutes. Then reduce the heat to 400 degrees and bake for another 20 minutes. Remove from the oven when the tops are turning a lovely golden color.

12. 12

    Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes.

13. 13

    To serve cut the scones in two and spread each side with butter and/or jam or jelly.