The majority of us promise to be even the tiniest bit more healthy in the new year; a delicious and easy way to do this is to incorporate fruits, nuts, and whole wheat into our diets. It’s much less scary to add chopped dried fruits into your baking and to try utilising some whole wheat flour into your batter than to subject yourself to tasteless diet food! With this in mind we’ve created this healthy yet satisfying recipe for you to re-create and enjoy at home. These fragrant Early Grey, Apricot and Sultana Scones are perfect for a quick snack, breakfast for as a treat if topped with whipped cream.
Earl Grey, Apricot and Sultana Scones
This recipe makes 8-12 normal sized scones (approx. the size of the top of a teacup).
125g plain flour
100g wholewheat flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
pinch of salt
25g caster sugar
150ml milk
60g low fat butter alternative (e.g. Stork)
50-80g chopped dried apricots
80g sultanas
2 tablespoons of Earl Grey tea
1 beaten egg to glaze
Plain or scalloped circle cutters
Firstly, the Earl Grey tea needs to be infused into the butter. This needs to be done the day or night before so that the butter can reset. In a sauce pan melt the butter along with the Earl Grey tea. Leave this to simmer for around 15 minutes and stir constantly on medium heat. Once fragrant sieve the butter to remove the flecks of tea. You can leave the tea leaves in the butter, however, for this recipe we preferred to remove them. Pour the Earl Grey butter into an airtight container and chill until set.
Pre-heat the oven to 220C/425F/Gas 7. Lightly grease a flat baking tray or line with baking paper.
Mix together the flour and salt in a bowl. Then run in the butter to make crumb-like pieces. Add the sugar and then the milk. Gently mix together using clean hands.
Once the wet ingredients have been incorporated it is time to add in the chopped apricots and sultanas.
Pop your dough onto a flour dusted surface and lightly knead. Roll or pat to around 1 inch thick (to make mini sized scones). Use a 48mm cutter to cut either plain or scallop edged scones. Place around 2 inches apart on your baking tray.
Lightly brush the scones with the beaten egg mixture and bake for 12-15 minutes until golden.
Once the scones have cooled they’re ready to enjoy! Slice them in half and prepare them how you wish. We like to toast ours and smother them with home made jam! Add some extra nutrients by using a vegetable spread with extra vitamins added and devour them with a lovely cup of herbal tea!
