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Drop Scones (Scotch Pancakes)

As seen on her BBC series, Classic, Mary Berry's easy-to-follow recipe for drop scones is a perfect brunch dish or tea-time treat.

From the book

Mary Berry

Introduction

Also known as Scotch Pancakes, Drop Scones were classically made on a solid metal griddle on an open fire, back in the day. Now it is more practical to use a large non-stick fry pan or if you have an Aga, on the simmering plate. Serve as soon as they are made with butter and syrup or jam.

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Ingredients

175g (6oz) self-raising flour
1 tsp baking powder
40g (1½oz) caster sugar
finely grated zest of 1 small orange
1 egg
200ml (7fl oz) milk
sunflower oil, for frying
Serving options:
butter
maple syrup or honey
natural Greek yoghurt and blueberries and raspberries

Method

1. Measure the flour, baking powder and sugar into a large bowl and add the orange zest. Mix together, then make a well in the centre and add the egg and half the milk. Beat well, with a whisk, until you have a smooth thick batter, then beat in enough of the remaining milk to make a batter the consistency of thick pouring cream.

2. Heat a little oil in a large non-stick frying pan over a high heat. Drop the batter in dessertspoonfuls into the hot pan, spacing each dollop of the mixture well apart to allow it to spread. Cook for about 2 minutes or until bubbles start to appear on the surface, then turn over with a non-stick blunt-ended palette knife or spatula, and cook on the other side for a further 30–60 seconds or until lightly golden brown on both sides.

3. Use the palette knife to lift the scones on to a wire rack, then cover them with a clean tea towel to keep them soft and warm. Continue more scones in the same way with the remaining, adding a splash more oil if the pan gets too dry.

4. Serve at once spread with butter, syrup or honey, or with Greek yoghurt and blueberries or raspberries or other seasonal fruits.

Cook time: 2-3 minutes per batch.

Prepare Ahead:

Can be made up to 6 hours ahead and reheated to serve. Arrange in a single layer on a baking tray, cover tightly with foil and warm through in a moderate oven for about 10 minutes.

Freeze: The drop scones freeze well (see tip); defrost and warm through as above.

Mary’s Classic Tip:
* Before freezing the drop pancakes, wrap them in greaseproof paper and pack in a freezer-proof container to prevent them getting damaged edges.

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From the book: Classic by Mary Berry

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