Lois’s Soda Water Scones

A couple of days ago we had a preserves class here at the cooking school.  Part of the morning tea is always scones, fresh baked during the class and served with the jams we are making.

I was asked if I’d ever made the recipe using cream and lemonade.  I had, a couple of times in fact, but found that they were a bit sweet for my taste.  One of the lovely people in attendance that day was Lois, who suggested that maybe soda water would be a good substitute.  We’d already made the batch of scones according to my regular recipe, but it seemed a good idea to trial this there and then.

Daughter and assistant Stephanie headed for the house to make some soda water in the soda stream machine and we duly set to work experimenting.

When the scones came out the oven they looked pretty similar, but when they were cut in half the soda water batch were much lighter.

So, all credit to Lois, here is the recipe for those very successful scones.  This will make about 12 quite large scones – halve the recipe if you need less, or make the whole batch and freeze what you don’t use immediately.

Lois’s Soda Water Scones

3 cups self raising flour

Pinch of salt

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 cup cream

1 cup soda water

Mix together the flour, salt and baking powder (no need to sift, just make sure they are combined well).

Make a well in the centre and pour in the cream and about three quarters of the soda water.   Mix to a soft dough, adding the last of the soda water if needed.

Turn out onto a lightly floured board and knead into a rectangle approximately 1.5cm thick.  Cut into rounds with a cutter (dip into flour before cutting each scone) and place side by side on a baking sheet that has been lined with baking paper (or greased).

Bake at 180 degrees C (fan forced) for 15 to 20 minutes until well risen, cooked through and golden.

Remove from oven and transfer scones to a cake cooler (for a crisp outer crust) or line a bowl with a tea towel and place scones in this, then loosely cover with a tea towel (for a soft outer crust).

16 thoughts on “Lois’s Soda Water Scones”

  2. Deanna Twomey says:
    Reply

    I live in Melbourne and constantly in search for yummy recipes and already have found several on the same page: Thank you Sally.

    Therefore am welcoming emails and updates on anything that you are happy to share – THANK YOU.

    Deanna

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    • sallywiseau says:
      Reply

      Yes you can Jan, and I have done so – added about three quarters of a cup of coarsely grated cheese to the mixture and them sprinkled more over the top before they go on the oven. Here’s another one I’ve used over the years, always successful and delicious (given to me by a friend).

      Cheese Scones

      2 cups self-raising flour
      2 tablespoons butter
      1 cup grated cheese + ½ cup extra
      Pinch salt
      ¾ cup milk
      A little extra flour
      ½ cup grated cheese, extra

      Turn oven on to 200°C. Grease a scone tray.

      Put the flour into a mixing bowl. Add the butter and rub into the flour with the fingertips until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.

      Mix in the 1 cup cheese, then add the milk and mix till well combined.

      Sprinkle a board with a little extra flour and turn the dough out onto it.

      Sprinkle the dough with flour, and knead very briefly.

      Dip a cutter in flour and cut out the scones.

      Place close together on a tray, allowing just a little room for spreading.

      Place a little extra grated cheese on the top of each scone.

      Bake at 190 degrees C for approximately 20 minutes.

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  9. Lois Sedelaar says:
    Reply

    Hello Sally,
    I am emailing you as I have the most amazing story to tell you re these scones.
    My neighbour had once told me about making lemonade scones. I tried them but found they were far too sweet for me so was thinking why can’t I make them with soda water and a little bit of sugar into the mix. This was just last year. 2020. I decided to google it and ask was this possible. To my absolute amazement I nearly fell off my chair. There was your site and the recipe and story of Lois’s Soda Water Scones. What makes this so amazing is that my name is Lois. It is not a common name and just so funny. I have since made them several times and they are never fail.
    Just thought I should share this amazing conincidence with you.
    Kindest Regards
    Lois

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    • sallywiseau says:
      Reply

      Hi Lois! What a coincidence indeed. So pleased you like the recipe. Like you, I found lemonade scones to be way too sweet and soda water makes them rise much better. Happy baking!! Thanks for writing by the way. Sally

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