The Hobbit; An Unexpected Party; Buttered Scones

A big jug of coffee had just been set in the hearth, the seed-cakes were gone, and the dwarves were starting on a round of buttered scones, when there came- a loud knock.

– Chapter 1, An Unexpected Party; The Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkien

The Hobbit; An Unexpected Party; Buttered Scones

 

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Author: Bryton Taylor @ Food in Literature

Ingredients

• 1½ cups plain flour
• 1 tsp castor sugar
• ½ tsp bicarb soda
• ½ tsp cream of tartar
• 3 tbsp | 40g butter
• ¾ cup buttermilk

Instructions

1. Sift together flour, castor sugar, bicarb soda and cream of tartar.
2. Rub in butter.
3. Add in buttermilk bit by bit until ‘spongy’ dough is formed.
4. Knead the dough on a floured surface, before rolling it out.
5. Cut into circles, or tear off and roll into balls and flatten slightly.
6. Bake at 200oC | 392oF for 10 minutes.

Notes

To make buttermilk, take just less than one cup of milk and stir in 1 tbsp of white vinegar.
Let sit for 5 minutes before using.

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