Quick Apple Scones

Last weekend we had a cousin pop over with her new baby. They were only coming for a cup of tea and I knew they were going to be eating later - but I just couldn't do it. I HAD to have something to go with the tea - even if they didn't want it. Sunday 11am - what would be perfect? Apple scones. Easy to make from start to finish in under half an hour I served them with the tea...still warm. Talking about them has made me want to make more now..

Ingredients    (Makes 8)

225g self raising flour
50g butter, cold & cubed
60g caster sugar
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1 large eating apple, peeled, cored and chopped finely
125ml milk

Method:

Set oven to 200 C. Sieve the flour into a bowl and add the butter. Rub the butter into the flour with your fingertips until you have a texture like breadcrumbs. Stir in the sugar, cinnamon and apple. Now pour in the milk stirring well to make a dough.

Tip the dough out onto a floured board and shape the pastry into a round at a height of approx. 1 inch deep. With a 2 inch cutter cut scones from the pastry. Keep pulling the leftovers together and gently make into a smaller round and keep cutting. The last bit of dough should make the 8th scone.

Brush the tops of the scones with a little milk, place on a lightly floured baking sheet and put in the oven for 20 minutes. Remove and cool on a wire rack.

Delicious simply buttered, or you can make a berry fruit compote. I personally like apple with blueberries so made a simple blueberry compote. Just put some blueberries in a small pan with some sugar to taste and 1-2 teaspoons of water. Cook on a low heat until the blueberries start to burst. Put into a bowl and chill. Then serve the scones with the chilled blueberry compote and some whipped cream!