Mary Berry Devonshire scones are a classic. Mary’s trusted and easy recipe produces rich buttery scones that are light and fluffy with a flakey texture.
Preparation time
less than 15 mins
Cooking time
10 to 15 mins
Serves
Makes approx 8 – 10 scones
Dietary
Vegetarian.
Ingredients
- 450g (1 lb) self-raising flour
- 2 rounded teaspoons baking powder
- 75g (3 oz) butter, at room temperature
- 50g (2 oz) caster sugar
- 2 eggs
- about 225 ml (8 fl oz) milk
Method
- Pre-heat the oven to 220°C/425°F/Gas 7.
- Lightly grease two baking trays.
- Measure the flour and baking powder into a processor. Add the butter and process until a crumble, then add the sugar.
Or make by hand by rubbing the butter into the flour using your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. - Stir in the sugar.
- Beat the eggs together until blended and make up to a generous 300ml (1/2 pint) with the milk
- Then put about 2 tablespoons of the egg/milk aside in a cup for glazing the scones later.
- Gradually add the egg/milk mixture to the dry ingredients until you have a soft dough. It is far better that the scone mixture is on the wet side, sticking to your fingers, as the scones will rise better.
- Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and flatten it out with your hand, or use a rolling pin, to a thickness of 1-2 cm (1/2 – ¾ inch).
- Use a 5 cm (2 inch) fluted cutter to stamp out the dough by pushing the cutter straight down into the dough then lift it straight out. Do not twist the cutter – this ensures that the scones will rise evenly and keep their shape.
- Gently push the remaining dough together, knead very lightly then re-roll and cut more scones out as before.
- Arrange the scones on the prepared baking trays and brush the tops with the reserved beaten egg/milk mixture to glaze.
- Bake for about 10-15 minutes or until the scones are well risen and golden.
- Cool on a wire rack, covered with a clean tea towel to keep them moist.
- Serve as fresh as possible, cut in half and spread generously with strawberry jam and top with a good spoonful of thick cream.
How about something gentler, softer – a delicious breakfast of Scotch Pancakes / Drop Scones for the whole family – with butter and maple syrup or maybe juicy blueberries and cream? Discover more in The Ultimate Guide to Mary Berry’s Scones: 7 Classic Recipes (2025).
