In my childhood, Fat Rascals were a favorite of mine, currant-spiked buns resembling a sweet scone but with more butter. The dough is mixed just like scones.  Rascals are best eaten very fresh, perhaps warm from the oven.

Ingredients:

2 cups/250 g flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 cup/125 g butter, diced

1/3 cup/75 g brown sugar

1/2 cup/75 g currants

1/4 cup/40 g mixed chopped candied peel

1/2 cup/125 ml heavy cream

1 egg, beaten to mix

Milk, for brushing

Directions:

1. Heat the oven to 375°F/190C°. Set the shelf in the center of the oven. Butter a baking sheet.

2. For the dough: Mix the flour with the baking powder in a bowl. Add the diced butter and rub into the flour with your fingertips to form crumbs. Stir in the sugar, currants and candied peel. Make a well in the center and add the egg and cream. Continue to mix with your hand, then press together to form a dough.

3. Squeeze off a piece of dough the size of a small orange, roll it to a ball and set on the baking sheet, flattening the ball slightly. Shape the remaining dough in the same way.

4. Brush the rascals with milk to glaze them and bake in the heated oven until they are risen and browned, 20-25 minutes. Serve the day of baking.

Makes 6-8 fat rascals