Scones will be fluffier and lighter if you pour in 1 unusual ingredient pastry chef loves

Scones are quick-bake treats made with ever-so-simple ingredients such as flour, butter, milk, sugar, and eggs. The best recipes result in buttery, light and fluffy scones. They're crisp and crumbly around the edges, perfect for pairing with a cup of coffee or tea. While you can find good-quality scones in the supermarkets, they taste so much better when homemade.

To make the "best" scones, classically trained chef and pastry chef Rebecca McLeod, behind the food blog Bec's Table, has shared several rules to always follow. Amongst her scone baking recommendations is a key ingredient that scones need to make them better.

She claimed that for "extra rise", you should be using soda water or even lemonade in your dough.

The chef explained that these bubbly liquids help "add lightness" to your scones and make them fluffier.

Rebecca pointed out that soda water scones will be "slightly less sweet", making them a great option for savoury fillings, or as a quick bread to serve with soups.

If you're looking to make them sweeter, simply add sugar or use lemonade in its place. Also, make sure the lemonade is fizzy for it to help the scones rise evenly.

For those who find that their scones don't rise as much as they'd like, the dough is likely too thin. For a taller scone, make sure your dough is at least 3cm thick when you cut it.

Arrange them on a tray with sides so they touch each other, encouraging them to rise upward instead of spreading out.

Another trick is using baking powder in the correct ratio, which gives your scones "the perfect lift".

It is also important to avoid overworking the dough when making scones, as this develops gluten, which can "make your scones tough".

Rebecca advised: "Keep your mixing light. Whether you're using your hands, a bowl scraper, or even a food processor, mix the ingredients just until they come together. This is key to achieving that tender, fluffy scone recipe result."