Date scones are a long-time favourite.

Ingredients

• 1 cup flour
• 4 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp mixed spice
• 1 cup wholemeal flour (see Cook's Tips)
• 1-2 tblsp soft brown sugar
• 50 grams butter
• 1 cup dates, chopped
• ¾ cup buttermilk (see Cook's Tips)
• ¼ cup milk or water

Method

1. Sift the flour, baking powder, salt and mixed spice into a large bowl. Stir in the wholemeal flour and sugar. Cut in the butter until the mixture resembles crumbs. Mix in the dates.
2. Make a well in the centre and pour in the buttermilk and milk. Mix quickly with a knife to form a soft dough.
3. Knead the dough lightly on a floured board. Roll out to about 2-3cm thick and cut into 6cm rounds. Transfer to a greased baking tray.
4. Bake at 220ºC for 10-18 minutes until cooked. Serve warm.

Cooks Tips

- Replace wholemeal flour, if wanted, with 2 cups plain flour. - If you do not have buttermilk, replace it with ½ cup yoghurt and increase the ¼ cup milk to ½ milk.