James Martin’s scones with homemade strawberry jam are perfect for relaxed weekend baking. You’ll need a sugar thermometer to make the jam.
Ingredients
- For the strawberry jam
-
- 500g/1lb 2oz jam
sugar - 500g/1lb 2oz
strawberries, hulled and cut in half only if large - ½
lemon, juice only
- 500g/1lb 2oz jam
- For the scones
-
- 450g/1lb
strong white flour, plus extra for dusting - 5 tsp
baking powder - pinch
salt - 75g/3oz unsalted
butter, plus extra for greasing - 75g/3oz
caster sugar - 150g/5oz
sultanas - 2 free-range
eggs, lightly beaten, plus 2 eggs for glazing - 250ml/9fl oz
milk - 400g/14oz
clotted cream, to serve
- 450g/1lb
Preparation method
-
For the jam, heat the sugar, strawberries and lemon juice in a large saucepan over a medium heat until the sugar has melted.
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Bring the mixture to the boil and cook for 3-4 minutes (or up to 10 minutes if you prefer a thicker style jam). Check the temperature with a sugar thermometer; it should reach 105C/220F.
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Leave the jam to cool slightly and skim off any froth with a clean spoon. Spoon the jam into sterile jam jars, seal and label.
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For the scones, preheat the oven to 220C/450F/Gas 7. Grease a large baking tray.
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Sift the flour, baking powder and salt together in a bowl, then rub in the butter until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.
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Stir in the sugar, sultanas and eggs.
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Stir in the milk with a wooden spoon, a little at a time, to form a smooth dough.
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Roll the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface to a thickness of 2cm/¾in.
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Dip a 5cm/2in pastry cutter into a little flour and cut out the scones (be careful not to twist the cutter as it will cause the scones to rise unevenly).
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Beat the two remaining eggs in a bowl and carefully brush the tops of the scones, taking care not to let any run over the edge.
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Place the scones onto the baking tray and bake in the oven for 10-12 minutes, or until golden-brown.
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Remove the scones from the oven and allow to cool slightly. Serve the warm scones with the strawberry jam and clotted cream.