British Scone Recipe for Cream Tea

Ask any foreigner to list foods that are quintessentially British...you’ll probably hear foods like bangers & mash, fish & chips...and cream tea. Cream tea is a distinctly British tradition that consists of a light, rustic afternoon meal where guests enjoy tea and scones with clotted cream and jam. British scones are delicious, easy to prepare at home...and are surrounded by an interesting bit of controversy.

There is more than a little debate surrounding scones for a cream tea. The right answer seems to depend on where you live. 

A Cheeky Debate: Cream then Jam, or Jam then Cream? 

The proper way to adorn your scone depends on where you live. There are two methods, and who’s to say which is correct?  The Devonian or Devonshire Method is to split your scone in half and cover each with clotted cream first. Strawberry jam is added second. On the other hand, the Cornish Method is to start with strawberry jam first, followed by a spoonful of clotted cream. Which is proper? You get to decide.

Jump straight to the recipe! 

What’s The Bloody Pronunciation? 

According to Merriam-Webster, either pronunciation is correct. But ask a Brit and they’ll be sure to have an opinion one way or the other. Some say the proper pronunciation of scone is with a long “ō” like “tone” or “cone.” Others argue that the proper pronunciation is with a short “ŏ” as in “gone” or “scon.” Which is correct? Again...you get to decide. 

However you layer it and however you say it...you must agree that they are delicious. 

Fancy a cuppa?

To us, tea is a beverage. In Great Britain, tea is a way of life. The phrase “fancy a cuppa” means “would you like a cup of tea?” It’s a phrase so common, so ingrained in British culture, that they can’t even consider life without it. May we suggest Firepot Breakfast Tea or Firepot Italian Grey? So prepare your scones, invite your mates, and sit back to enjoy an afternoon cuppa. 

British Scone Recipe

You will need:

2 cups of all-purpose flour

.5 cup of flax meal

1 cup of almond flour

2.5 teaspoons of baking powder

.5 teaspoon of baking soda

1/3 cup brown sugar

1 cup of milk, buttermilk or cream

1 cup of cold, salted butter, chopped into 1/4 inch pieces

To make:

1. Preheat the oven to 350-degrees F.

2. Combine all ingredients but butter and milk

3. Work the butter into the flour mixture with your fingers until just combined.

4. Add milk and stir in with a fork until just combined.

5. Place the dough in the refrigerator, covered, for 30 minutes- overnight.

6. Gently and lightly roll the dough to onto a floured surface until it is 1 inch thick.

7. Cut the dough into squares or triangles with a pastry cutter or knife.

8. Place pieces on a lines baking sheet and bake until golden brown (about 20 minutes).