Scones will taste light and fluffy if you add 1 ingredient used by pastry chef

There’s nothing quite as comforting as a freshly baked scone. Light, buttery, and just the right amount of crumbly, scones have long been a staple of afternoon tea. Whether enjoyed plain, spread with jam and clotted cream, or flavored with fruits, spices, or cheese, they are simple yet indulgent.

Scones are also quick-bake goodies made from simple ingredients such as flour, butter, milk, sugar, and eggs. While you can find decent scones in supermarkets, they’re far tastier when made at home and enjoyed fresh out the oven with a cup of tea. To create the “best” scones, Rebecca McLeod, a classically trained chef and pastry chef behind the food blog Bec’s Table, has shared several golden rules.

Among her scone baking tips is a crucial ingredient that enhances your scones.

She suggests using soda water or even lemonade in your dough for an “extra rise”.

The chef elaborated that these fizzy liquids contribute “add lightness” to your scones, making them fluffier.

Rebecca highlighted that scones made with soda water will be “slightly less sweet”, making them an excellent choice for savoury fillings, or as a quick bread to accompany soups.

If you want to sweeten them up, simply add sugar or substitute the soda water with lemonade. Also, ensure the lemonade is carbonated to help the scones rise evenly.

For those who find their scones don’t rise as much as they’d like, it’s likely the dough is too thin. For a taller scone, ensure your dough is at least 3cm thick when you cut it.

Arrange them on a tray with sides so they touch each other, this encourages them to rise upwards rather than spreading out.

Another tip involves using baking powder in the proper proportion, which provides your scones with “the perfect lift”.

It’s also crucial to prevent overhandling the mixture when preparing scones, as this creates gluten, which can “make your scones tough”.

Rebecca suggested: “Keep your mixing light. Whether you’re using your hands, a bowl scraper, or even a food processor, mix the ingredients just until they come together. This is key to achieving that tender, fluffy scone recipe result.”