Easy Homemade Tea Scones Recipe | Large Batch & No-Oven Method
These easy homemade tea scones have a slightly crunchy exterior and a soft inside. Made with simple pantry ingredients, this large-batch recipe uses a 2kg packet of flour and can be baked in an oven or on a stovetop without an oven. You can use milk, water, or a combination of both.
Equipment
- large mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Wooden spoon or mixing spoon
- Baking tray (for the oven method)
- Baking Paper
- Large cooking pan with a lid (for the stovetop method)
- Tablespoon (for scooping the dough)
- Oven or stovetop
- Cooling rack (optional)
Ingredients
- 2 kg all-purpose flour
- 12 tsp baking powder
- 2 tsp salt
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 cups vegetable oil
- 6 eggs
- 3 tbsp vanilla flavouring
- 1½ tbsp orange oil optional
- 2-3 cups milk or water May vary
Instructions
- Mix the dry ingredients.In a large mixing basin, combine the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. Mix thoroughly so that the ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Add the wet ingredients.Make a well in the centre of the flour mixture. Add the eggs, vegetable oil, vanilla flavouring and orange oil, if using.
- Add the milk or water.Begin mixing the ingredients, gradually adding the milk or water until everything comes together into a soft dough.I usually reserve some of the liquid and add it gradually as I mix. This is because different flour brands have different absorption levels, and you don't want to end up with a dough that is too wet.You can use milk for a richer flavour, water if you don't have milk, or half milk and half water.
- Shape the sconesOnce the dough is ready, simply use an ordinary tablespoon to scoop portions and arrange them on a prepared baking tray then shape them using yur hands. You can als use an ice cam scoop too.You don't need to roll out the dough or use a cutter for this recipe. Just spoon portions onto your baking tray, leaving a little space between them.Bake the scones.You can use either an oven or a stovetop method, depending on what is available in your kitchen.
How to Bake Tea Scones in an Oven
Preheat your oven to approximately 180–200°C.Arrange the scones on a prepared baking tray and bake until they are firm and lightly browned. If necessary, turn them over to allow the other side to brown as well.For my gas oven, I usually bake them on medium heat for approximately 10–12 minutes on the first side, then turn them over and bake for another 10 minutes.Ovens vary, so keep an eye on them and adjust the baking time according to your oven.How to Bake Tea Scones Without an OvenIf you don't have an oven, you can still make these tea scones using an ordinary cooking pan on your stovetop.Here's how:1. Line a suitable cooking pan with baking paper.2. Arrange the spooned portions of dough in the pan, leaving a little space between them. I used a pan approximately 10 inches in diameter and arranged about eight scones at a time.Cover the pan and place it over a very tiny flame. I explain more in the vlog linked below.Allow the scones to bake for approximately 30 minutes, depending on your heat source and pan.Once the scones have firmed up and cooked through, turn them over to brown the other side.Allow the other side to brown for approximately 10 minutes.At this final stage, don't cover the pan fully. Allowing the steam to escape helps prevent moisture from collecting on the lid and dripping back onto the scones.Important tip: Use a very tiny flame, the lowest setting, especially if you're using a small gas burner. If you're using a wider burner, reduce the flame as though switchng off and get it to the lowest flame . Keep checking the scones because they can burn underneath if the heat is too high.