Lori Leckmans Buttermilk Scones Recipes

BASIC BUTTERMILK SCONES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 220C/gas 7/fan 200C. Mix the flour, bicarbonate of soda and salt in a bowl. Add the butter, cut into small pieces and rub in with your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.
• Tip in the buttermilk and mix lightly and quickly to form a soft dough. Knead very briefly, then roll out to 2cm thickness and cut into sixteen 5cm rounds.
• Put on a baking sheet (no need to grease) a little apart, and bake for 12-15 minutes, until risen and pale golden.

BUTTERMILK SCONES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Put the flour, salt and butter into a food processor and pulse until you can't feel any lumps of butter (or rub in butter with fingers). Pulse in the sugar.
• Gently warm the buttermilk (don't throw away the pot) and vanilla in a microwave or pan. Using your largest bowl, quickly tip in some of the flour mix, followed by some of the buttermilk mix, repeating until everything is in the bowl. Use a knife to quickly mix together to form a dough - don't over-mix it.
• Tip onto a floured surface and lightly bring together with your hands a couple of times. Press out gently to about 4cm thick and stamp out rounds with a 6cm or 7cm cutter. Re-shape trimmings, until all the dough is used. Spread out on a lightly floured baking sheet or two. Add a splash of milk into the buttermilk pot, then use to glaze the top of each scone. Bake for 10-12 mins until golden and well risen.

LORI LECKMAN'S BUTTERMILK SCONES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 420 degrees.
• Mix flour with baking powder and sugar. Rub butter into the flour until it forms the texture of fine bread crumbs (this can be done in a food processor).
• Beat eggs lightly. Place dry mixture in a mixing bowl and form a well in the center. Pour all but 2 tablespoons of the eggs and 1/4 pint of buttermilk into the well. Add the raisins and mix thoroughly, adding more buttermilk if needed to form a sticky but homogenous dough that can be kneaded lightly on a floured board.
• Knead dough lightly on a floured board, and roll out into a rectangular shape, approximately one-inch thick. Cut dough into roughly two-inch squares. Place squares on a well-greased baking sheet. Brush with remaining eggs and bake for 20 to 30 minutes, or until scones have puffed and are golden.

BUTTERMILK SCONES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Combine the flour, sugar, salt, baking powder and baking soda in a large bowl. Add butter and mix with your fingertips to a coarse meal. Add buttermilk and mix just until combined. Add currants, if desired.
• Transfer dough to a floured board and divide into 2 parts. Roll each to 3/4 inch thick rounds. Cut each round into 8 wedges and place slightly separated on a greased baking sheet. Brush the tops with the cream, and bake for 15 minutes, or until lightly browned. Serve warm, split in half with butter and marmalade.

LORI LECKMAN'S LEMON-MADEIRA CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
• Line two loaf pans (approximately 10-inch-by-6-inch) with buttered baking parchment, and dust with flour.
• Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Combine flour and baking powder.
• Beat the eggs. Add eggs gradually to the butter, beating well with a wooden spoon. If the mixture shows signs of curdling add a spoonful of flour.
• Gradually mix in the almonds, lemon peel and lemon zests. The mixture may require a little milk to reach the ''dropping'' consistency: that is, thick enough to require a sharp tap to dislodge it from the spoon, but not light enough to pour.
• Distribute batter evenly in the loaf pans - it should reach a little more than half way up the sides. Bake for 1 1/2 hours at 325 degrees, then reduce oven to 300 and bake another hour. Test by inserting a warm knife in the center: if it comes out clean the cake is done. Let the cake cool in its tin.