Ingredients

• 2 cups self raising flour
• 1/3 cup white caster sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1/4 teaspoon mixed spice (or a mixture of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves)
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 lemon, zest of, finely grated
• 3 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
• 1 cup double cream or 1 cup whipping cream, plus a little for brushing
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 cup icing sugar (confectioners' sugar)
• 1 -2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon melted unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons double cream or 2 tablespoons whipping cream

Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 200C/400°F Grease a large, heavy baking sheet.

2. Sift the flour, sugar, baking powder, cream of tartar, mixed spice and salt into a large mixing bowl. Add the lemon zest and lightly mix with your hands.

3. Using your fingertips, rub the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles fine crumbs.

4. Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients and add the cream and the beaten egg; mix with a knife; then using a wooden spoon, combine all the ingredients together, just until the dough holds together.

5. Scrape the dough onto a floured surface and using floured hands, knead it gently three or four times to form a ball. Flatten the ball into a disk about 1 inch thick, then using a pastry (biscuit or cookie) cutter, cut out 8 rounds, for 8 scones. Transfer the scones to the baking sheet, leaving plenty of space between them. Brush the tops lightly with extra cream.

6. Bake the scones in the centre of the oven until golden brown, about 15 to 20 minutes. Allow them to cool on the sheet for a few minutes and then transfer them to a wire rack.

7. While the scones continue to cool, make the glaze. Combine all the ingredients in a small mixing bowl and whisk them until the mixture is smooth. If necessary, you can thin the glaze with more lemon juice, stirring in a 1/2 teaspoon at a time. When the scones have cooled for another 5 to 10 minutes, drizzle each one generously with the lemon glaze.

8. Serve them with butter, cream or lemon curd for a tea-time treat!