Christmas Cream Tea

Another perfect Christmas gift is a mini cream tea gift box, consisting of a variety of scones, speciality tea bags (bought off eBay or a mixed box of pukka teabags) and mini jams, which I usually buy from home bargains. I think they're like 29p per pot? Again wrap with Kraft paper or store in a small wicker hamper.

I usually do the following 3 flavours for my cream tea boxes...
Plain Scone
Cherry Scone (my best friends fav!)
Raisin Scone

2 of each with 3 mini jams and a few teabags. Perfect!

Or another idea is hosting an afternoon tea party as a Christmas get together with friends, just a regular afternoon tea with a Christmas twist. So mince pie scones, Christmas cookies, Mince pies, turkey and cranberry sandwiches, beef and horseradish sandwiches, Christmas tree shaped nachos with cheese and chutney dips. Obviously you can have any treats you want at your afternoon tea, the above are just festive ideas.

This recipe is really easy, one you could get the kids involved with too as it's quite a handsy recipe at times, involving finger movements, rolling, cutting and kneading. So perfect for developing them fine motor skills.

A recipe will make anything from 8-12 scones depending on the size of the cutter you use. I go for a medium sized, so my personal batches usually make 10 scones.

Ingredients. 

350g Self raising flour
1 Tsp baking powder
85g Stork (cut into cubes)
3 Tbsp caster
175ml Milk
1 Tsp vanilla extract

Method.

Line a baking tray with baking paper.

1) In a bowl place self raising flour, caster sugar and baking powder and mix.
2) Add butter and rub into the flour mixture using your finger tips until the whole mixture resembles bread crumbs.
3) In a jug mix milk and vanilla.
4) Make a small well/hole in the centre of your flour mixture and pour in your milk mixture.
5) Combine thoroughly until you have a dough consistency.
6) Lightly flour a work surface and a rolling pin.
7) Place your dough on your prepared surface and roll out so about an inch thickness, the tops don't have to be perfectly smooth as this adds to the texture and character of the scones.
8) Using a round cutter (I use one with a  bumpy edge if that makes sense) Cut out your scones and place on your lined baking tray.
9) Brush the top of each scone with a little milk and bake in the oven for 10-12 minutes until risen and slightly golden on top.

Nutritional information below per scone if your recipe is making 10 scones.
Calories 195
Carbs 28.2g
Fats 7.3g
Proteins 4g

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Christmas Scones 
Ingredients 


250g Self raising flour
50g unsalted butter
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
30g caster sugar
100g mincemeat
50ml brandy
85ml milk (plus extra for glazing the tops.

Method pretty much as before except add milk, brandy and mincemeat to the mixture together.




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