Ingredients450g self-raising flour
50g cocoa powder
90g caster sugar
25g baking powder
120g butter
2 eggs
115ml milk
Method: Rub all the dry ingredients together. Add eggs and most of the milk an
d mix together. Use the last of the milk to collect the crumbs at the bottom of the bowl. Turn on to a floured board and roll to required thickness. We make ours about the thickness of two fingers and use a plain cutter dipped in flour each time we cut a scone. This keeps the sides straight.
Put the scones on a paper lined baking tray. Using one beaten egg, brush the tops of the scones. Bake in oven at 200C for 12 minutes. Allow to stand for ten minutes before using if you can wait.
Chocolate Tiffin cakeIngredients225g gingernuts (crushed)
75g flaked almonds
40g cocoa powder
50g caster sugar
125g butter
80g golden syrup
MethodMix the dry ingredients together. Heat the butter and golden syrup. Pour the warm liquid on to the dry ingredients and mix well. Put into a paper lined tray and chill until set. When set, spread milk chocolate on the top of the slab. Mark with a knife the size of tiffin you wish to have. When the chocolate has set cut the tiffin.
Classic sponge cakeIngredients4 eggs
125g caster sugar
95g self-raising flour
500ml double cream
125g caster sugar
Jar of raspberry jam
Icing sugar
Fresh raspberries
MethodSieve the flour and leave on one side. Whisk the eggs and sugar together, first fast to combine and then slower to make it thick. Using a large spoon, fold the flour into the egg mixture, making sure there are no lumps. Do not over-mix – when all the flour is mixed in, stop.
Spread evenly on a paper-lined tray, 30cm x 22cm. Bake in oven at 220C for approx six minutes or till the surface of the sponge springs back after being pressed. Allow to cool completely.
Remove the paper from the sponge and cut in half and spread raspberry jam on one piece. Whisk the double cream and sugar till stiff and then spread evenly over the jam. Put the other half of sponge (top side uppermost) on to the cream and lightly press down. Chill in fridge and cut into squares when required. Dust with icing sugar and decorate with one single raspberry.
The full article contains 415 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.