Lemonade scones

Happy Mothers Day to all Mums out there. Put your feet up, relax and enjoy the company of those that have made you a mother. Put aside the thoughts of how tough it is to raise children through their varying stages of life, and cherish the thought that they really do love you as much as you love them.

This is a no fail recipe for the simple scone. My own mother could whip up a bunch of these without thinking twice about it. When I was a child, she patiently allowed me to rub the butter into the flour, adjusting my poor technique quite often. She would never have dreamed of using a food processor, not because they weren't invented in those days, but because making scones was somehow therapeutic to her, and her own mother taught her this way.

In all of my married years, I have yet to master a tall, fluffy scone. Sure, they were always edible, if only for the first hour, then they turned into the equivalent of hockey pucks. Sorry Mum, but the food processor is the only way I can produce scones as lovely as yours, and I shamefully admit, I have to add lemonade to give them that extra assistance. I hope I have made you proud!

Lemonade scones with jam & cream

Ingredients (serves 16)

• 450g (3 cups) self-raising flour
• 80g butter
• 310ml (1 1/4 cups) diet lemonade
• 1/2 cup whipped cream
• Raspberry jam, to serve
• Whipped Cream, to serve

Method

1. Preheat oven to 220°C. Grease a baking tray. Combine flour and butter in a food processor until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Transfer to a large bowl.
2. Add the lemonade and cream. Use a flat-bladed knife to stir until combined. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth.
3. Press the dough out to a round 3cm-thick disc. Using a 5cm-diameter scone cutter, cut into rounds. Place scones, side by side, just touching, on prepared tray. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden and scones sound hollow when tapped on base. Transfer immediately to a wire rack to cool. Halve scones and spread with jam and whipped cream.

Serve with a hot cup of tea, a warm sunny spot and a good book to read. Happy Mothers Day, Mum.