Vegan Date Scones

The humble scone - a classic and staple recipe in Aussie households. There are many variations to this recipe but we think our is the best because one, they're dead simple to make and two, they don't have any animal products and are therefore cruelty free - yay! You can add whatever tickles your fancy to enhance these bad boys, like choc chips, sultanas, seeds, blueberries, and even savoury ingredients, but we chose dates because they give a 'caramel' flavour to the scones. Perfect with a cuppa on a dreary winter afternoon or to bring to a picnic!

Makes approx. 12 scones

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Ingredients:

• 3 cups self raising flour

• 8 tbsp vegan/dairy free butter (We use Nuttelex) - make sure the butter is cold

• 1 1/4 cups soy milk

• 3/4 cup chopped pitted dates

Method:

1. Preheat your oven to 180 degrees (celcius). Add the 3 cups of flour to a mixing bowl, followed by the butter.

2. Rub the butter into the flour using your fingers until it starts to form soft crumbs.

3. Make a well in the centre and add 1 cup of the milk and the chopped dates, slowly incorporating it into the flour using a butter knife. Add the extra 1/4 cup of milk if the dough is still dry, and keep mixing gently, making sure not to over mix/knead.

4. Bring the dough together with your hands, remove from the bowl and gently knead on a floured surface.

5. Using a rolling pin, roll out the dough until it's about 2.5 cm thick.

6. Using a circular cookie cutter or a glass, cut out the scones and lay them on a lined baking tray making sure there is 2cm between them.

7. Bake in the oven for 15-20 or until the scones have risen and show a light golden brown colour on top.

8. Serve with jam (and more butter!) - delish.