Can I Cut Out Lily's Scones Using A Knife?

Our answer

Nigella's recipe for Lily's Scones (from HOW TO BE A DOMESTIC GODDESS) is based on an old-fashioned recipe from Lily. It results in extremely light and fluffy scones thanks to the combination of bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) and cream of tartar, rather than just using self-raising flour.

Nigella uses a fluted round cutter to cut out the scones, as it gives the shape most associated traditionally with British scones. However, triangular scones are quite common in the US. You could form this dough into rounds and cut into triangles. As the recipe makes 12 scones, it is easiest to divide the dough into two and form into two circles (about 3cm or 1/1/4 inches thick), cutting each round into 6 pieces. When you cut the scones, use a sharp, heavy knife or metal bench scraper and dust it with a little flour before each cut. You need to make each cut downwards in one stroke, so that the edges are clean and the scones rise evenly. We would suggest putting the scones in their circular format on a baking sheet, with the tips inwards and the scones very close to each other. This should help the scones to bake slightly more evenly, as the thicker outside edges get exposed to the heat slightly more quickly than the thinner, pointed ends of the scone. The baking time should be similar and they are at their best if eaten warm from the oven.