Brown Scones

2 cups self-raising flour
3 tbsp butter
1/2 cup milk
pinch of salt

Sieve the flour into a bowl and rub in the butter quickly and lightly with the fingertips. Add the salt and then, using a round-bladed knife, mix in the milk a little at a time. With floured hands knead lightly to a soft dough, adding a little more milk if necessary. Roll out evenly but lightly about one finger thick on a floured board. Cut out with a pastry cutter using a quick sharp motion, but do not twist or the scones will distort as they bake. Cook on a greased baking sheet near the top of a pre-heated oven at 425�F for 12-15 mins.

These scones are best baked fresh for tea as they go stale very quickly. Brown scones are made in exactly the same way, substituting wholemeal flour for half the white flour.

For fruit scones add a tablespoonful of superfine sugar and two tablespoonfuls of dried fruit before adding the milk.