Homemade scones and chocolate-dipped strawberries!

🍓 Classic fruit scones with clotted cream and strawberries

Ingredients (makes ~8 scones):

• 225 g self-raising flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 50 g unsalted butter (cold and diced)
• 25 g caster sugar
• 50 g sultanas or raisins
• 150 ml whole milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
• 1 beaten egg (for glazing)
• Icing sugar (for dusting).

To serve:

• Clotted cream or whipped cream
• Fresh sliced strawberries
• Strawberry jam (optional).

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan)/400°F/Gas 6.
2. Mix the dry ingredients: In a bowl, combine the flour and baking powder.
3. Rub in the butter: Use your fingertips to rub the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.
4. Add the sugar and fruit. Stir in the caster sugar and raisins.
5. Add milk: Mix in the milk and vanilla extract to form a soft dough.
6. Shape the dough. Turn it out onto a floured surface and knead gently. Roll out to ~2.5 cm thick and cut out rounds.
7. Glaze: Place the rounds on a baking tray and brush the tops with beaten egg.
8. Bake for 12–15 minutes or until risen and golden. Leave to cool on a wire rack.

To assemble:

1. Once the scones have cooled, slice them in half.
2. Spread with jam, if using, and then add a generous dollop of clotted cream.
3. Top with sliced strawberries.
4. Put the scone tops back on and dust with icing sugar.

🍫 Chocolate-dipped strawberries with white chocolate drizzle.

Ingredients:

1. 15–20 fresh strawberries (washed and completely dried)
2. 150 g of milk or dark chocolate, chopped
3. 50 g white chocolate (for the drizzle)

Instructions:

Prepare a tray: Line a tray with baking parchment.

Melt the chocolate:

• Place the milk or dark chocolate in a heatproof bowl over simmering water, or microwave in 20-second bursts.
• Do the same with white chocolate in a separate bowl.

Dip the strawberries: Hold the strawberries by their stems and dip them into the melted chocolate, letting the excess drip off.

Place on a tray. Arrange the dipped strawberries on the tray.

Drizzle: Use a spoon or piping bag to drizzle white chocolate over the top for decoration.

Chill: Refrigerate for 20–30 minutes or until set.

ENJOY!