Andy Montoya
Cheese scones are a tasty alternative to sweet scones and are very easy to make. They are best served warm with butter, cheese, jams, and honey, or alongside soups. When making cheese scones, it is important to use a light hand when combining the ingredients so that the dough is not overworked, which can make the scones dense and affect how much they rise. Cheese scones can be made with a variety of cheeses, including cheddar, Gruyère, and Gouda, and some recipes call for the addition of chives, cayenne pepper, or mustard.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Leavening agents | Self-rising flour, baking powder |
| Fat | Butter, oil |
| Cheese | Cheddar, Gruyère, Gouda, mature red Leicester, chives |
| Seasoning | Salt, sugar, mustard powder, cayenne pepper |
| Additional ingredients | Milk, egg, green onion, meat, herbs |
| Serving suggestions | Butter, jam, honey, soup |
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What You'll Learn
Cheese scone ingredients
Cheese scones are a tasty alternative to sweet scones and are very easy to make. The ingredients you will need include:
- Plain or self-raising flour. Sieve or sift the flour into a large mixing bowl.
- Butter. Butter is the fat of choice for cheese scones. It can be added chilled, softened, or melted. Keep the butter cool as it will create little pockets in the dough as it rises, giving the scone a flakier texture.
- Cheese. Cheddar, mature red Leicester, or Gouda are popular choices. You can grate, shred, or cut the cheese into small squares.
- Milk. Semi-skimmed milk is a popular choice.
- Baking powder.
- Salt.
- Cayenne pepper.
Optional ingredients include:
- Chives.
- Mustard powder or dry mustard.
- Sugar.
- Eggs.
- Oil.
- Onions.
- Herbs, such as rosemary or parsley.
Once you have combined your ingredients, cut your scones into rounds or triangles and bake until golden. Cheese scones are delicious served warm with butter, cheese, jams, honey, or soup.
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How to make the dough
To make the dough for cheese scones, you'll need self-raising flour, plain flour, butter, cheese, milk, and possibly some additional flavourings.
First, sieve the flour into a large bowl. If you're using plain flour, you'll need to add baking powder, and possibly salt and spices like cayenne pepper or mustard powder. Add the butter and rub it into the flour using your fingertips until it resembles fine breadcrumbs.
Next, grate in the cheese. You can also add other ingredients at this stage, such as chopped chives, green onions, or even small squares of sandwich meat. Finely grate around 55-225g of cheese into the mixture and stir to combine.
Now, it's time to add the liquid. Mix in the milk (and water, if using) a little at a time until the dough just comes away from the edge of the bowl. Be careful not to overwork the dough, as this can make the scones dense and affect how well they rise. You want a soft, pliable, slightly sticky dough.
Turn the mixture out onto a lightly floured surface and knead very lightly, just until smooth. Gently roll out the dough to a thickness of around 2-2.5cm.
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Shaping the scone
Firstly, ensure your work surface is lightly floured to prevent sticking. Then, turn out your dough onto the surface and gently flatten it into a rectangle or round shape, depending on your preference. The ideal thickness will be approximately 2-2.5 cm. Be careful not to overwork the dough, as this can affect the texture and rise of your scones.
Next, use a fluted or round cutter to cut out individual scones. A cutter with a width of 6-7.5 cm will yield a good size. If you don't have a cutter, a sharp knife can be used to cut the dough into triangles, or you could even use a drinking glass! Remember to handle the dough as little as possible during this process.
Once you have cut out your scones, place them on a baking tray. If you have any remaining dough, gently reshape it and cut out more scones. Avoid overhandling the dough, as this can affect the texture.
For an extra cheesy touch, you can grate some cheese over the top of the scones before baking. This will add a delicious golden colour and a bit of extra flavour.
Finally, brush the tops of the scones with a mixture of beaten egg and a splash of milk. This step will give your scones a beautiful golden glaze when baked.
Now your cheese scones are shaped and ready for the oven! Remember to keep an eye on them during baking to ensure they don't overcook. Enjoy the delicious aroma of freshly baked scones, and get ready to serve them warm with your favourite toppings.
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Baking the scone
Firstly, preheat your oven to 220°C. While the oven is heating up, grease a baking sheet with butter and sprinkle it with a little flour to prevent the scones from sticking.
Next, prepare the dough. Sieve the flour, baking powder, salt, and any spices you may be using (like mustard powder or cayenne pepper) into a large mixing bowl and whisk together until smooth and well combined. The mixture is ready when it resembles fine breadcrumbs. Then, grate in the butter and rub it into the flour mixture using your fingertips.
Now, it's time to add the cheese! Finely grate the cheese and stir it into the mixture. You can also add other ingredients like chives or green onions at this stage. Once combined, create a well in the centre of the mixture and slowly add milk to form a soft, pliable dough. Be careful not to add too much liquid—you want the dough to be slightly sticky, but still manageable.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it gently, just enough to bring it together. Then, flatten the dough into a rectangle or a round shape, about 2-3 cm high. Cut out your scones using a fluted or round cutter; you can also use a drinking glass if you don't have a cutter. Place the cut scones on your prepared baking sheet, close together for a softer side or slightly apart for a crispier edge.
Finally, brush the tops of the scones with a mixture of beaten egg and a splash of milk. Grate some extra cheese over the top, if desired. Your scones are now ready to be baked! Place them in the preheated oven and bake for about 12-15 minutes, or until they are golden. Keep an eye on them to avoid over-baking.
Once done, remove the scones from the oven and let them cool slightly on a rack before serving. Cheese scones are best enjoyed warm, perhaps with a bowl of soup or a green salad on the side.
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Serving suggestions
Cheese scones can be served warm or cold and are a great addition to breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, or a picnic. They can be served with lashings of butter, extra cheese, jams, and honey. They also go well with a green salad or a bowl of potato leek soup.
Cheese scones are a tasty alternative to sweet scones and are perfect for those who like a savoury breakfast. They can be enjoyed with bacon and eggs, or with clotted cream and jam. For a lighter option, serve with a bowl of soup. They also go well with chilli, crème fraîche, extra virgin olive oil, and balsamic vinegar for dunking. For a gluten-free option, add cottage cheese to the soup and serve with goat's cheese and rocket.
For those with a sweet tooth, cheese scones can be served with chocolate chips or a little sugar to bring out the salty-sweet contrast. They can also be served with fruit, berries, or a fruit scone on the side.
Cheese scones can be frozen and enjoyed at a later date. They can be enjoyed with tea or coffee, and are a great snack to pop into a lunchbox.
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Frequently asked questions
Cheese scones are often served warm with butter, cheese, jams, or honey. They can also be paired with a green salad or a bowl of soup.
You can use whichever kind of cheese you like, but it's best to stick to something with low moisture. Good options include mature red Leicester, cheddar, gouda, gruyère, and chives.
You will need self-rising flour, butter, baking powder, salt, mustard powder, milk, water, and an egg. You can also add chives, sugar, and cayenne pepper.
First, grease a baking sheet with butter and sprinkle with flour. Then, mix the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Cut in the butter and rub it into the flour using your fingertips until it resembles fine breadcrumbs. Add the cheese and milk, stirring with a fork to make a soft, sticky dough. Knead the dough gently, then cut out the scones using a round cutter or drinking glass. Brush the tops with egg and bake until golden.
