Christmas is just around the corner and that means it's time to start thinking about festive treats. If you're tired of the traditional Christmas pudding or looking for a new way to use up your leftovers, then these Christmas pudding scones are the perfect solution.

Ingredients:

• 450g self raising flour
• 110g butter
• 85g caster sugar
• 240ml milk
• 70g Christmas pudding
• 0.5 teaspoon of mixed spice

Method:

1. Preheat your oven to 220c or 200c if you're using a fan oven. Prepare a baking tray by lining it with baking paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl, crumble together the self-raising flour, butter, caster sugar, and mixed spice. Use your fingers to create a breadcrumb-like texture.
3. Gradually add the milk to your crumbed mixture, mixing continuously until a dough forms. Be careful not to overwork the dough as it can make the scones tough.
4. Crumble in the Christmas pudding and gently fold it into the dough until it's just combined.
5. Place the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead it into a 2cm thick round. Use a circular cutter to cut out your scones and transfer them to your prepared baking tray.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes or until the scones have risen and are lightly golden.
7. Allow the Christmas pudding scones to cool slightly on the tray before transferring to a wire rack to cool further. These scones are best served warm with a dollop of clotted cream (or brandy butter!) and a sprinkle of icing sugar for that extra festive touch.

Variations and Substitutions

If you're looking to mix things up a bit, there are several variations and substitutions you could consider for this Christmas Pudding Scones recipe. If you don't have Christmas pudding available, you can substitute it with any other rich, fruity cake leftovers you have on hand. Alternatively, you can even use a mixture of raisins, currants, and chopped dates to give the scones that fruity touch.

You can also make these scones gluten-free by substituting the self raising flour with a gluten-free self raising flour blend. In our experience, you'll need to add a little more milk as gluten-free flour tends to absorb more liquid than regular flour.

For an extra festive touch, add a splash of brandy or rum to the dough, or include some chopped candied peel for extra flavour and texture. And if you're not a fan of mixed spice, feel free to use cinnamon, nutmeg, or allspice as an alternative.

Remember, recipes are often a guideline rather than a strict rulebook. Feel free to experiment and make these Christmas Pudding Scones uniquely your own!

Enjoy your Christmas Pudding Scones from Ginger and Pickles. Happy baking!