Top News
Next Story
Newszop

Paul Hollywood says we're making scones wrong – and shares three common errors

Send Push

Brits are bonkers about baking, and scones are a beloved classic.

Whether it's a sweet treat, or an essential part of a luxurious afternoon tea, we all indulge in the delightful pastry occasionally. However, it seems we might not be baking them correctly.

's own has revealed there are three golden rules to perfecting scones. If you're aiming for scone supremacy, the 58-year-old's recent tutorial is just what you need.

With around 30 years of experience, he's certainly the go-to guru for baking advice. In his video, Paul advises: "Egg wash the top, try not to egg wash the sides. If it goes down the sides too much, it creates a glue, and prevents it from rising up.

"Lumps are bad in a scone because you don't want a big lump of butter in there. You'll end up with just butter pouring all over your tray, which is what you don't want. Use the 15 minutes of a scone in the oven as a good rule. 15 minutes bang on is 99% of the time going to be spot on."

READ MORE:

The clip has racked up more than a thousand views, with fans hailing him a "star baker", and praising his straightforward baking tips.

Viewers have been quick to compliment, with one saying: "Those look so good." Another commented: "I love hearing him talk, and he's adorable to watch."

And a third quipped: "Wow, for 30 years. You have been making them since you were nine-years-old."

Keen to give it a whirl? Dive into Paul's recipe below...

Ingredients
  • 500g strong white bread flour, plus extra to dust
  • 25g baking powder
  • 80g unsalted butter, cut into pieces
  • 2 medium eggs
  • 250ml milk
  • 80g caster sugar
  • 1 large egg, beaten with a pinch of salt
  • Icing sugar, to dust
  • Jam
  • Clotted cream
Method
  • Take some baking paper, and line two baking trays. In a large bowl, mix the flour and baking powder together. Then add the butter and use your fingers to rub it together for a few minutes until it forms a breadcrumb-like texture.
  • In a seperate bowl, beat the eggs with the milk and sugar. Add this to the flour mixture, and stir together until it all binds together and forms a ball.
  • Tip the dough onto a lightly floured surface and fold it a couple of times to add some air, but make sure you don't knead it. You want to be left with a loose, soft dough.
  • Use a rolling pin to gently roll it out to a 3cm thickness, and ensure there's plenty of flour underneath so the dough doesn't stick.
  • Grab a scone cutter, and press firmly to cut out rounds and then pop onto the lined baking trays, while making sure to leave space in between.
  • Brush the tops of the scones with a little beaten egg, and put them into the fridge for 20 minutes. This enables them to rest. Use this time to heat your oven to 220°C/Fan 200°C/Gas 7.
  • Remove the scones from the fridge and brush them again with a little egg. Bake for 15 minutes until the scones rise and form a golden brown colour.
  • Allow the scones to cool on a wire rack and, once cooled, dust lightly with icing sugar and serve as you wish.
Loving Newspoint? Download the app now