Flaky, golden scones served with rich clotted cream and jam elevate afternoon tea to an art form. These tender biscuit-like pastries are perfect for a leisurely family brunch.
Preheat your oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, combine all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Whisk gently to distribute leavening and seasoning evenly.
Cut cold unsalted butter into cubes and rub it into the dry mixture until the texture becomes coarse and crumbly, with pea-sized pieces remaining.
In a separate bowl, whisk together milk, egg, and vanilla extract. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture and gently fold until just combined—do not overmix or the scones will become dense.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, pat it to about 3/4-inch thickness, and cut into rounds using a biscuit cutter. Place scones slightly apart on the prepared sheet.
Brush the tops lightly with extra milk and bake for 12–15 minutes until golden and puffed. Remove promptly to prevent overbaking.
Cool scones briefly, then serve warm with clotted cream and jam alongside.