Mary Berry Devonshire Scones Recipe

If you love traditional British baking, this Mary Berry Devonshire Scones Recipe is a wonderful choice. These classic scones are light, buttery, and beautifully soft in the center with a delicate golden crust. They are traditionally served with clotted cream and jam, making them perfect for afternoon tea or a special weekend treat. This easy recipe is beginner-friendly and takes about 30 minutes from start to finish.

Ingredients

For the Scones

450g self-raising flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
75g unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
50g caster sugar
2 large eggs
225ml milk
Extra milk for glazing

For Serving

Clotted cream
Strawberry jam

How to Make Mary Berry Devonshire Scones Recipe

Prepare the oven: Preheat the oven to 220°C or 200°C fan. Line a large baking tray with baking parchment and place a shelf in the center of the oven.
Mix the dry ingredients: Add the self-raising flour and baking powder to a large mixing bowl. Stir well to combine evenly.
Rub in the butter: Add the chilled butter cubes and rub them into the flour using your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.
Add the sugar: Stir the caster sugar through the breadcrumb mixture until evenly distributed.
Make the dough: Beat the eggs together with the milk. Gradually pour into the flour mixture and stir until a soft dough forms.
Shape the dough: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured work surface. Gently knead just enough to bring it together, then pat out to approximately 2cm thickness.
Cut the scones: Use a round cutter to cut out the scones. Press straight down without twisting to help them rise evenly.
Glaze the tops: Arrange the scones on the prepared tray and brush the tops lightly with milk.
Bake: Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the scones are well risen and golden brown.
Cool and serve: Transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool slightly. Serve warm with clotted cream and strawberry jam.

Tips for the Best Devonshire Scones

Why are my scones not rising properly?

Make sure your baking powder is fresh and avoid twisting the cutter when cutting the dough.

How do I keep the scones light and fluffy?

Handle the dough as little as possible. Overworking develops gluten and can make scones dense.

Should the butter be cold?

Yes. Cold butter creates steam during baking which helps the scones rise and stay tender.

Can I make them sweeter?

You can increase the caster sugar slightly, but traditional Devonshire scones are only lightly sweetened.

Serving Suggestions

Serve warm with clotted cream and strawberry jam.
Enjoy with a pot of English breakfast tea.
Add fresh strawberries on the side.
Pair with lemon curd for a citrus twist.
Serve as part of a traditional afternoon tea spread.

Storage

Room Temperature

Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Warm briefly before serving for the best texture.

Refrigerator

Keep in a sealed container for up to 5 days. Allow to come to room temperature or warm gently before serving.

Freezing

Freeze baked scones in freezer-safe bags for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature and reheat in the oven for a few minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 245 kcal
Carbohydrates: 34g
Protein: 6g
Fat: 9g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Sodium: 220mg

Nutrition values are estimates and may vary depending on ingredients used.

FAQs

Can I make Devonshire scones ahead of time?

Yes, you can bake them a day ahead and store them in an airtight container. Warm them before serving for the best texture.

What is traditionally served with Devonshire scones?

They are usually served with clotted cream and strawberry jam alongside tea.

Can I freeze unbaked scone dough?

Yes, cut out the scones and freeze them on a tray before transferring to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen with a few extra minutes added.

Why are Devonshire scones famous?

They are a traditional part of the famous Devon cream tea and are known for their light texture and rich buttery flavor.

Can I use plain flour instead of self-raising flour?

Yes, add an extra 2 teaspoons of baking powder for every 450g of plain flour.