VE Day Afternoon Tea

There is no better way to celebrate the 75th anniversary of VE Day than with a traditional afternoon tea, preferably enjoyed in the sunshine with loved ones and even neighbours (at a safe distance of course).

Here we provide the perfect recipe to whip up an afternoon tea staple, the delicious scone! With a few store cupboard staples you can create the perfect accompaniment to your VE Day tea party, best enjoyed with a dollop of jam and clotted cream. Jam first or cream first, it's up to you!

Classic Scone Recipe

Serves 8

You will need:

350 grams self raising flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking powder

85 grams butter (cut in cubes)

3 tablespoons caster sugar

175ml milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

One beaten egg to glaze

Jam and clotted cream to serve

Method:

Pre-heat oven to 200 C

Put flour in a large bowl with the salt and baking powder then mix

Add butter and rub with your fingers until you get fine bread crumbs. Stir in the sugar. If you would prefer a fruit scone add 150 grammes of sultanas at the same stage you add the sugar

Warm the milk to room temperature

Add vanilla to the milk

Make a well in the dry mix, add the liquid and combine quickly

Sprinkle some flour on a work surface, tip out the dough and knead, dusting with more flour if the mixture seems too wet. Roll to about four centimetres thick

Cut out with a 5 centimetre cutter, press back together the trimmings and cut out more to get the most out of the dough

Place on a baking tray and brush tops with beaten egg bake for 10 minutes until risen and golden on top

Serve with jam and clotted cream

Enjoy!