Making scones from scratch may seem tricky but they only require a few ingredients and, as long as you follow all of the steps correctly, you’ll have fluffy scones in no time. However, many people often complain they can't get a perfect rise and this is often down to one ingredient: the butter.

Cold, cubed butter when making scones is essential because it helps to create small, solid pockets that melt in the oven, releasing steam. This steam expands and creates the desirable layers and rise that any good scone has. BBC Good Food shared a simple, foolproof recipe that’s received over 400 five-star ratings, with many claiming it bakes the “perfect” scone.

Ingredients:

225g self-raising flour

Pinch of salt

One teaspoon of baking powder

55g chilled butter, cut into cubes

120g mature cheddar, grated

100ml milk, plus one tablespoon for glazing

Method:

Heat the oven to 200C/180C Fan and place a large baking tray inside to heat up. Sift the flour, salt and baking powder into a bowl, and then add the butter and rub together to make breadcrumbs.

Sprinkle 100g of the cheese into the breadcrumb mixture and rub together until evenly distributed. Try not to mix too much, as the heat from your hands may melt the butter.

Make a well in the centre and pour enough milk to give a fairly soft but firm dough. Do not pour all of the milk at once, as you may not need it all.

Lightly flour a surface and roll out the dough to around 2cm thick. Cut out the scones with an 8cm cutter and then put them on a sheet of baking parchment.

Glaze with a little milk and sprinkle with the remaining cheese before sliding them onto the hot tray.

Bake in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through. Allow to cool on the tray for a few minutes before transferring them onto a cooling rack.

Serve warm, split open with some thick salted butter, or if you fancy, top with some more cheese.