Cheese Scones
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These Cheddar Cheese Scones turn out light and tender, with a bold cheesy taste. Freshly grated cheddar goes into the dough and on top, so they bake up golden and crisp. They're a great savory option instead of a sweet breakfast pastry.
Table of Contents
- Here's Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients You'll Need
- In Photos: How To Make
- More Scone Recipes
I enjoy sweet scones, but sometimes a savory treat is just what you need with your morning coffee. My cheese scones are perfect for that. Cold butter makes them tender and flaky, sharp cheddar adds real cheesy flavor, and a bit of black pepper ties it all together. You can make them in about the same time it takes to brew coffee, and they're usually gone just as quickly.
Here's Why You'll Love This Recipe
- They're savory instead of sweet, which is a nice change from the usual fruit or sugar scones.
- Sharp cheddar means real flavor. No mild cheese here, just bold, cheesy goodness in every bite.
- They're quick to make. From mixing to cooling, you're done in about 40 minutes.
- They go well with almost anything. Try them with eggs, soup, or simply with butter and jam.
Ingredients You'll Need
The recipe card at the bottom of the post contains the full list with all of the amounts. Refer to that when you're cooking.
- All-purpose flour: The base of the dough.
- Baking powder: Gives the scones their lift.
- Kosher salt: Balances and enhances the other flavors.
- Black pepper: Adds a gentle warmth that goes well with the sharp cheddar.
- Cold unsalted butter: It's important to keep the butter cold. This helps create flaky layers as the scones bake.
- Sharp cheddar cheese: This is the main ingredient. Grate it fresh for the best melt and flavor, because pre-shredded cheese can have additives that change the texture.
- Heavy cream: Adds richness to the dough, and you'll use a little extra to brush on top before baking.
- Egg: Helps bind the dough together.
In Photos: How To Make
Step 1:
Whisk the flour, baking powder, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl. Add the butter and work it in with your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the cheddar cheese until evenly distributed.
Step 2:
Whisk the heavy cream and egg in a small bowl, then pour into the flour mixture. Stir gently until the dough just comes together.
Step 3:
Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and press it into a 1-inch-thick round. Cut into 8 wedges.
Step 4:
Brush the tops lightly with heavy cream, sprinkle with the remaining cheddar.
Step 5:
Bake for 18-22 minutes, until golden and set. Cool slightly before serving.
Helpful Tips and Tricks
- The key to light, flaky scones is to not overwork the dough. Use cold butter and mix until the dough and liquid have JUST combined.
- For best results, use freshly grated cheese. The flavors will be stronger.
- This recipe uses sharp cheddar cheese, but it will work with a variety of different types of cheese! Mild cheddar, gruyere, or parmesan would all work well.
More Scone Recipes
- Cherry Scones
- Blackberry Scones
- Rhubarb Scones
- Chocolate Chip Scones
- Strawberry Scones
- Lemon Poppy Seed Scones
- Banana Scones
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour, (250 g)
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes (85 g)
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated (100 g)
- ¾ cup heavy cream, plus more for brushing
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup sharp cheddar cheese for topping, freshly grated (25 g)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Whisk the flour, baking powder, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl. Add the butter and work it in with your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with a few pea-sized pieces remaining.
- Stir in the sharp cheddar cheese until evenly distributed.
- Whisk the heavy cream and egg in a small bowl, then pour into the flour mixture. Stir gently until the dough just comes together.
- Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and press it into a 1-inch-thick round. Cut into 8 wedges and transfer to the prepared baking sheet, spacing slightly apart.
- Brush the tops lightly with heavy cream, sprinkle with the remaining cheddar, and bake for 18-22 minutes, until golden and set. Cool slightly before serving.
