Clotted Cream Splits Food

CLASSIC BRITISH CORNISH SPLITS

Steps:

• In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a kneading hook, stir together the flour, salt, yeast and sugar. Warm the butter and milk in a small saucepan until the butter has melted. Let the milk cool slightly, until it is just about cool enough to dip your finger in (about 120F).
• Pour the milk/butter mixture into the flour and knead to form a soft and just slightly sticky dough. You may need to add additional flour.
• Remove dough to a greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap to rise until doubled, about 1 hour.
• Turn the dough onto a floured board and cut into 8 equal-sized pieces. Roll each one into a ball, placing them on a parchment lined baking sheet as you go.
• Set the oven at 390F. Dust the buns lightly with flour and cover with a tea towel. let rise for 10-15 minutes more.
• Bake for 18-20 minutes until they are pale golden on top and sound slightly hollow when tapped on the bottom.
• Remove the buns from the baking sheet to a cool slightly. Enjoy warm (traditionally served warm) or fully cooled.
• To serve make a cut in each bun from about 1/3 down in the front, angling back and down, to about 2/3 down the back, without cutting all the way through. Butter the bottom, then spoon a good dollop of jam inside. Spoon or pipe whipped cream on top. Dust with icing sugar to serve.

CLOTTED CREAM

Steps:

• Fill a deep, wide-mouthed bowl with the cream and the milk.
• Leave the mixture in the refrigerator for several hours (preferably overnight).
• Heat the oven to 180 degrees F.
• Boil several cups of water and pour it into a pan large enough to accomodate the bowl of milk.
• Place the pan into the pre-heated oven.
• Set the bowl of milk into the pan of water in the oven and leave until the top of the milk is crusted with a nubbly yellowish-cream surface.
• (This will take at least 1 1/2 hours, but it is prudent to allow longer since this process varies depending on the fat content of the milk and cream).
• Once the surface is nicely crusted, remove the bowl from the pan and cool it rapidly in a bowl of ice water.
• Place the cooled bowl in the refrigerator until very cold.
• Remove the crust from the cream with a skimmer or a large slotted spoon and put it into another bowl with a bit of the creamy liquid underneath; as the clotted cream firms up you will need to stir in the liquid to achieve a nice consistency.
• Put the milk bowl back into the pan of water in the oven for a second crust to form, and add that in its turn to the first one.
• Note: The left over milk is great to make rice pudding, or can be used in baking.