Chilli-Choco Cherry Scone

Preheat your oven (electric 220°C / circulated air 200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place in the oven.

Wash, dry, and remove the stones from the cherries. Now chop the cherries and the chilli chocolate into chunks. Sieve the flour, salt and baking powder atleast 3 times (the scones are guaranteed to be lighter and fluffier when the flour mixture is sieved more). Now slice the cold butter into small pieces and add it to the flour mixture. Using your hands rub the butter and flour together until it looks like fine crumbs. Mix in the sugar, both kinds of cherries and the chocolate, and form a well. Pour the butter milk into the well, and using a cutlery knife quickly combine together.

Sprinkle flour onto your work surface, and tip the dough out onto it. Flour your hands and the dough before gently kneading it 2-3 times until it appears slightly smoother. Lightly pat the dough into a round shape ca. 4 cm thick (Tip: scones remain fluffier and lighter when the dough is less handled). Using a glass (ca. 4-5 cm diameter) cut out four scones from the dough. Gently reform the dough and cut out another 4 scones. Be careful not to twist the glass as you cut out the scones.

Crack the egg into a small bowl and whisk it. Brush each scone with a thin layer of the whisked egg and sprinkle with cane sugar. Carefully place the scones on to the hot baking tray. Bake the scones for ca. 10 minutes, or until they have risen and have turned a lovely gold brown colour. Remove the scones from the oven, allow to cool briefly on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack.

Scones taste great fresh from the oven and spread with butter.