Name: Cheese and chive scones
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: British
Ingredients: 400g self-raising flour; 100g salted butter chilled and cubed; 175g mature cheddar grated; good pinch of cayenne pepper (optional); 3 tbsp finely chopped chives; 200ml whole milk heated until just warm (plus extra for brushing)

A pile of fresh scones with one cut in half on a plate

400g self-raising flour
100g salted butter
chilled and cubed
175g mature cheddar
grated
good pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
3 tbsp finely chopped chives
200ml whole milk
heated until just warm (plus extra for brushing)

Method

step 1
Heat the oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Put the flour in a food processor, add the butter then pulse until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Alternatively, rub the butter into the flour using the tips of your fingers. Stir in 150g of the cheddar and the cayenne, if using. Season well then stir in the chives. Gradually add the milk and bring together into a soft dough.
step 2
Gently pat out the dough on a floured worksurface to about 3cm thick and cut into scones using a sharp cutter. Put the scones on a non-stick baking sheet and brush the tops with milk, then sprinkle with the rest of the cheese. Bake for 18-20 mins or until deep golden and risen. Serve just warm with butter.