Happy Australia Day! Today is the day we commemorate the landing of the First Fleet in Australia in 1788 and an excuse for a public holiday. What a better way to celebrate then with scones with jam and cream. I’ve added an Australian bush tucker theme to my scones this time with the addition of the native Australian spice lemon myrtle and a finger lime marmalade.
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Scones served split open and spread with jam and then topped with cream have become an Aussie tradition. (We just so happened to steal it from the British and their Devonshire Tea.) Scones are usually plain but can be filled with sultanas, dates or flavoured with pumpkin. Jam is traditionally strawberry but I’ve gone for a real Aussie theme and tried the finger lime marmalade I had in the fridge and they were absolutely gorgeous! I spread some with strawberry jam for the traditionalists among us (and the kids).
I used my lemon myrtle spice mix lurking in the pantry, just waiting to be used, and my favourite scone recipe from Lady Flo Bjelke-Peterson, former Premier of Queensland Joh’s wife who is very famous for her pumpkin scones. I love her recipes.
Scones are such an easy thing to bake and made with pantry staples. My dough was a little wet so I added a bit extra flour to the board before cutting out. You might have your favourite recipe which makes a light fluffy scone but my secret is not to overwork the dough. I learnt from my Nanna, a master scone maker in her day, who told me to always mix the dough with a knife which will eliminate overworking and only just bring the ingredients together until a dough forms. Lightly press onto a floured board to your desired thickness and either cut into squares with a knife or use a cutter to cut out scones.
I very rarely pick up super bargains from major department stores because I don’t normally shop at them and I’m never there at the right time but I was the other week. I picked up a beautiful green biscuit tin (complete with choc chip cookie mix, which I threw out because it was made in China and I was a bit suspect about that) but it came with this beautiful ceramic biscuit press and cookie cutter. It only cost me 10 cents! Can’t wait to try out the biscuit press.
Once the scones are cut out, brush with a little milk and bake in a hot oven for approximately 10 minutes.
Wrap in a clean tea towel once baked until ready to use.
Cut in half, spread with jam and top with whipped cream.
I’ll definitely be looking for new ways to use my lemon myrtle spice. It added a lovely, subtle lemon flavour to the scones and the finger lime marmalade was luscious. Hope you all have a lovely Australia Day no matter how you’re celebrating.
Lemon Myrtle Scones with Finger Lime Marmalade & Cream
(based on “Classic Country Collection” scone recipe by Flo Bjelke-Petersen)
- 2 cups self raising flour
- 1 tsp lemon myrtle spice
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tbs butter, melted
- 1 cup milk
- extra flour for rolling & cutting
- Finger Lime marmalade or jam of your choice
- fresh cream, whipped until thick
- Preheat oven to 220 deg C.
- Mix spice and salt into flour
- Add melted butter and milk and mix with a knife until just combined.
- Sprinkle board or bench top with extra flour.
- Put dough on floured board and press out until approx 1.5cm (1 inch) thick.
- Cut dough into squares or cut out shapes with a scone/cookie cutter which has had the edges dipped into flour to avoid sticking.
- Place on baking tray lined with baking paper.
- Bake for approx 10 minutes or until golden brown.
- Wrap in clean tea towel until ready to serve.
- Slice each scone horizontally and spread with jam and top with a teaspoon of whipped cream.
yummo! Scones would have to be one of my all-time favourite sweet treats 🙂
Sounds delicious Anne, I'm a big fan of scones and cream (although a traditional Devonshire cream tea would be with clotted cream rather than whipped, I don't know if it's something you can get over there). Lemon myrtle sounds fantastic, I'll have to see if it's possible to get it here
What a lovely recipe, Anne. A lovely twist on Australia Day food. x
I have never heard of finger limes… seriously never! but this recipes looks so yummy Anne. xx
These look really nice and tasty and I love the shape. Thanks for sharing at Good Morning Mondays. Blessings
Oh YUM Anne! Scones are one of my most favourite things to eat EVER and these look divine. I'm trying to be good at the moment though and lose some weight so I will have to hold off trying your recipe for now. Min xo
Love a splash of bush tucker. They look so yummy!!!
I think this is the perfect recipe for Australia Day, just lovely. Thank you for linking up with us for Fabulous Foodie Fridays, I hope you have a great weekend.
I have never heard of finger limes or lemon myrtle! Looks quite yummy!
I'm not sure what I love more – your bargain shopping or this recipe. Both fabulous!
I love this idea Anne and I have a special connection with both fingerlimes and Lady Flo. She made me her famous pumpkins scones when we stayed at Bethany – such a special memory. Hard to believe that her son has gone back into politics – he seemed like such a nice bloke when he was giving the kids pony rides!