Basic scones: 10 variations!

Variations

Savoury pinwheels: Use 1 cup wholemeal flour and 2 teaspoons baking powder for one of the cups of self-raising flour. On a floured surface, roll out a 20x30cm scone dough rectangle and spread with chutney/relish. Sprinkle with chopped onion, grated cheese and chopped fresh parsley. Roll up like a Swiss roll and cut in 12 slices. Arrange on a lightly oiled oven tray and brush with milk. Bake at 220°C for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.

Pumpkin scones: Add 1 tablespoon sugar, 3/4 cup cooked, mashed pumpkin and 1 beaten egg to flour (Step 2). Add milk as required to mix to a soft dough. Shape and cook as per Basic scones recipe.

Savoury tart: Roll out dough to a 5mm-thick large circle and transfer to a lightly oiled baking tray. Add any chunky filling to the middle, leaving at least a 5cm margin around the border. Filling suggestions: leftover roasted vegetables with pumpkin seeds and grated edam cheese; chilli beans or baked beans with spring onions and grated cheese; cranberry, smoked chicken, finely chopped red onion, sliced green capsicum and sliced brie; leftover casserole or mince dishes. Turn the edge over to encase filling. Brush dough with milk and bake at 180ºC for 20-25 minutes, or until scone dough is golden and filling piping hot. Cut in wedges and serve as a meal with a salad.

Herb damper: Add 1/4 cup roughly chopped flat-leaf parsley and 1 bunch chives (chopped) to flour (Step 2). Shape scone dough into a 3cm-thick round and place on a lightly oiled baking tray. Use a sharp knife and score top of damper in 8 wedges. Dust lightly with a little flour and bake at 200°C for 20-25 minutes, or until damper is light golden and base sounds hollow when tapped.

Stew with dumplings: Add 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley to flour (Step 2). Divide dough in 8 pieces and shape into balls with floured hands. Add to top of any cooked or almost-cooked hot beef or lamb stew. Cover with a lid and cook for 20 more minutes.

Fruit cobbler: Add 2 tablespoons sugar to flour before adding milk (Step 2). Roll out on a floured surface and cut in strips. Three-quarter fill a medium-sized baking dish with hot stewed fruit. Place dough strips across fruit mixture, overlapping slightly, until entire surface is covered. Brush with melted reduced-fat spread and sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon. Bake at 180°C for 20-30 minutes. Suggested fruits: apples, apricots, nectarines and peaches.

Date pinwheels: Cook 2 cups dates with juice of 1 lemon and 1/2 cup water until dates have formed a thick paste. Allow to cool. On a floured surface, roll Basic scones dough into a 20x30cm rectangle and spread with date mixture. Roll up like a Swiss roll and cut in 12 slices. Arrange on a lightly oiled oven tray and brush with milk. Bake at 220°C for 15-20 minutes until golden brown. Serve as is or warm with custard for dessert.