Cheddar Cheese Scones Recipe

Introduction

These cheese scones are a delightful snack or breakfast treat, bursting with sharp cheddar flavor and a tender crumb. Crispy on the outside and soft inside, they’re simple to make and perfect for sharing. Bake a batch and enjoy them warm with butter.

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups plain flour (all purpose flour)
• 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar or tasty cheese (tightly packed)
• 3 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp cooking salt or kosher salt (adjust for table salt or flakes)
• 100g (7 tbsp) unsalted butter, cold, cut into 1 cm cubes
• 3/4 cup cold milk (preferably full fat), plus extra for brushing
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese (for topping)
• Butter (for spreading)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 200°C (390°F) or 180°C fan-forced.
2. Step 2: In a food processor, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Pulse once to mix.
3. Step 3: Add the cold butter cubes and pulse 4 to 5 times until the largest pieces are about pea-sized. If you prefer, you can do this part by hand.
4. Step 4: Add the shredded cheese and pulse once to incorporate.
5. Step 5: While pulsing, slowly pour the cold milk through the feeding tube 8 to 10 times until the dough just comes together. The dough will be shaggy and slightly sticky.
6. Step 6: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently bring it together into a ball, using minimal extra flour.
7. Step 7: Place the dough on a sheet of baking paper and pat it into a round disc about 3 cm (1.2 inches) thick.
8. Step 8: Brush the top and sides of the disc with a little milk, then sprinkle and press on the extra shredded cheese.
9. Step 9: Cut the disc into 6 wedges and space them about 5 cm (2 inches) apart on a baking tray lined with baking paper.
10. Step 10: Bake for 20 minutes, until golden and cooked through. Let them rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Tips & Variations

• Use a mix of cheeses like cheddar and tasty cheese for a richer flavor.
• Handle the dough lightly to keep scones tender—overworking can make them tough.
• For a hand method, rub the butter into the flour mixture instead of pulsing in a food processor.
• Add chopped herbs like chives or thyme to the cheese for a fresh twist.

Storage

Store cooled scones in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To keep longer, freeze them in a sealed bag for up to 1 month. Reheat in a warm oven for 5–10 minutes or in a toaster oven until heated through. Serve with butter for best results.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use self-raising flour instead of plain flour?

It’s best to stick with plain (all purpose) flour and add baking powder separately as in the recipe. Using self-raising flour can result in scones that are too soft or rise unevenly.

Can I substitute the cheddar cheese with another type?

Yes, you can use other flavorful cheeses like gruyère, mozzarella, or a tasty white cheese. Just make sure to shred it finely so it incorporates well in the dough.

Cheddar Cheese Scones Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 144 reviews

• Author: Sophie
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 scones 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

This classic Cheese Scones recipe produces tender, fluffy scones packed with savory cheddar cheese. Made with pantry staples like plain flour, baking powder, cold butter, and cheddar, these scones are quick to prepare using a food processor. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a snack, they’re crisp on the outside and soft on the inside with a cheesy aroma. The recipe includes detailed instructions for shaping, topping with extra cheese, and baking to golden perfection.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dry Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups plain flour (all purpose flour)
• 3 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp cooking salt or kosher salt (adjust if using table salt or flakes)

Cheese and Butter

• 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar or tasty cheese (tightly packed)
• 100g (7 tbsp) unsalted butter, cold, cut into 1 cm cubes
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese, for topping
• Butter, for spreading (optional)

Liquids

• 3/4 cup cold milk (preferably full fat), plus extra for brushing

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 200°C (390°F) or 180°C (350°F) fan-forced and allow it to reach temperature while you prepare the dough.
2. Blend dry ingredients and butter: Place the flour, baking powder, and salt into a food processor fitted with an ‘S’ blade. Pulse once to combine. Add the cold, cubed butter and pulse 4-5 times until the largest butter pieces are about pea-sized. This step creates a crumbly texture essential for flaky scones.
3. Add cheese: Add the shredded cheddar cheese to the mixture and pulse once just to distribute it evenly throughout the flour-and-butter mixture.
4. Incorporate milk: While pulsing the processor, slowly pour in the cold milk through the feed tube, pulsing 8-10 times until the dough just comes together. The dough should be shaggy, slightly sticky, and not smooth—avoid over-processing.
5. Form the dough ball: Lightly flour a clean work surface with 1 teaspoon of flour. Scrape the dough from the processor onto the floured surface and gently bring it together with your hands into a ball, using as little extra flour as needed to prevent sticking.
6. Shape and prepare for baking: Place the dough on a sheet of baking paper and pat it into a round disc about 3 cm (1.2 inches) thick. Brush the top and sides with a little milk, sprinkle with the remaining shredded cheese, and lightly press the cheese into the surface. Using a sharp knife, cut the dough into 6 equal wedges.
7. Arrange on baking tray: Transfer the wedges (on the baking paper) onto a baking tray. Gently pull each wedge apart so they are spaced about 5 cm (2 inches) to allow room for rising and even baking.
8. Bake the scones: Place the tray in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 20 minutes until the scones are puffed and the tops are golden brown.
9. Cool and serve: Remove from the oven and let the scones rest for 5 minutes on the tray. Optionally spread with butter while warm before serving.

Notes

• Note 1: Using packet shredded cheese is fine as long as it is tightly packed to measure accurately.
• Note 2: Use good quality baking powder to ensure proper rising.
• Note 3: You can mix the dough by hand by rubbing the cold butter into the flour mixture until pea-sized pieces form.
• Note 4: For even rounds instead of wedges, shape the dough into balls and flatten slightly before baking.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Baking
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: British

Keywords: cheese scones, savory scones, cheddar scones, easy scones recipe, British baking, snack recipes