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Matt Moran's best date scones recipe

Name: Scone recipe: Matt Moran's easy date scones
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 27 min
Ingredients: 350g self-raising flour; 2 tbs caster sugar, plus extra for dusting; 1/2 tsp mixed spice; 3 tbs unsalted butter, chilled, cut into small pieces; 175ml full-cream milk; 1 egg; Finely grated zest of 1 orange; 1 cup (160g) dried dates, pitted, cut into quarters; 1 lightly beaten egg yolk, to brush; Jam, to serve; Clotted cream, to serve

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by Matt Moran

Chef and delicious. Produce Awards judge

Feb 24, 2024

Matt Moran shares his nan's recipe for date scones. Fluffy, sweet and buttery, topped with jam and fresh cream, we know what we'll be baking for afternoon tea this weekend. Better yet let the kids try their hand at this family friendly recipe.

2 1/3 cups (350g) Woolworths Essentials Self Raising Flour
2 tbs caster sugar, plus extra for dusting
1/2 tsp mixed spice
3 tbs unsalted butter, chilled, cut into small pieces
175ml full-cream milk
1 egg
Finely grated zest of 1 orange
1 cup (160g) dried dates, pitted, cut into quarters
1 lightly beaten egg yolk, to brush
Jam, to serve
Clotted cream, to serve

Method

1.

Preheat the oven to 180°C and line a baking tray with baking paper.
2.

Sieve flour, sugar, mixed spice and a pinch of salt into a large bowl. Add the butter and rub the butter into the flour until it resembles breadcrumbs. Make a well in the centre of the flour.
3.

In a separate bowl, combine milk, egg and orange zest, then pour into the well of the flour mix. Add the dates and mix lightly to form a soft dough. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and roll to 5cm-thick.
4.

Using a 7cm-diameter pastry cutter or knife, cut out rounds. Re-roll scraps once and repeat. Place scones onto the tray, brush tops with the egg yolk and dust with sugar.
5.

Bake for 10-12 minutes until golden brown and serve warm with jam and clotted cream.