Buttery Homemade Cheese Scones Recipe: Flaky Bites of Joy

Crafting delightful cheese scones brings a burst of comfort to your kitchen’s culinary landscape.

Flaky and golden, these savory treats promise an irresistible aroma that fills every corner.

Fresh ingredients dance together, creating a symphony of flavors that speak directly to your appetite.

Each bite promises a perfect balance between tender crumb and rich cheesy notes.

Warm from the oven, these scones beckon with their rustic charm and inviting texture.

Simple yet sophisticated, they represent a classic recipe that transforms ordinary moments into delectable memories.

You’ll want to savor every crumbly, cheesy morsel and share this delightful creation with everyone at your table.

What Makes James Martin Cheese Scones Worth Trying

• Bake with Minimal Effort: Prepare these cheese scones quickly with simple ingredients and basic mixing techniques, perfect for both novice and experienced bakers.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Ideal for breakfast, brunch, afternoon tea, or as a savory side dish that appeals to cheese lovers and satisfies different taste preferences.
• Fast and Fresh Comfort: Enjoy warm, homemade scones straight from the oven in just a few minutes, delivering a delightful combination of crispy exterior and soft, cheesy interior.
• Simple Ingredient Magic: Transform everyday pantry staples like flour, cheese, and thyme into a delicious pastry that elevates any meal with minimal cooking skills required.

What You Need For James Martin Cheese Scones

• Flour: A key base that provides structure and texture to the scones.
• Cheese: Adds rich, savory flavor and creates a delicious cheesy profile.
• Butter: Delivers richness and helps create a tender, flaky texture.

• Milk, Egg: Help bind the dough and contribute to the golden-brown color and soft interior.
• Egg Yolk: Used for brushing the tops to create a beautiful golden sheen.

• Baking Powder, Salt, Thyme: Enhance the overall flavor and help the scones rise with a delightful herbal note.

Steps To Make James Martin Cheese Scones

Step 1: Prepare Oven

Crank up your oven to a toasty 220°C (200°C fan) or 425°F, getting it ready for some seriously delicious scone action.

Step 2: Create Dry Mixture

• Flour
• Baking powder
• Salt

Whisk these dry ingredients together until they’re well combined and looking smooth.

Step 3: Work in Butter

Use your fingertips to massage the cold butter into the dry mixture. Keep working it until the texture resembles coarse breadcrumbs with tiny butter pebbles scattered throughout.

Step 4: Add Flavor Boosters

Sprinkle in your grated cheese and fresh thyme leaves, stirring them gently into the crumbly mixture to distribute evenly.

Step 5: Combine Wet Ingredients

In a separate small bowl, whisk together milk and egg until they’re perfectly blended and smooth.

Step 6: Form Soft Dough

Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Use a light touch to mix, stopping just as the dough comes together. Overmixing will make your scones tough.

Step 7: Shape Scones

Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 2cm thickness. Use a round cutter to create 12 beautiful scone shapes.

Step 8: Prepare for Baking

Transfer the scones to a baking tray. Brush the tops with egg yolk for a gorgeous golden finish.

Step 9: Bake to Perfection

Slide the tray into the preheated oven. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the scones are beautifully golden and risen.

Step 10: Serve and Enjoy

Pull out the scones and let them cool slightly. Serve warm with extra cheese and crispy pancetta for an irresistible treat.

Helpful Hints For James Martin Cheese Scones

• Quick Mix Magic: Avoid overmixing the dough to keep scones tender and light.
• Cheese Selection Matters: Use sharp cheddar for more intense flavor and better texture.
• Temperature Trick: Ensure butter and milk are cold to create flakier, more delicate scones.
• Brush Brilliance: Use egg yolk wash for a gorgeous golden-brown, glossy top.
• Fresh Herb Boost: Swap thyme with rosemary or chives for a different aromatic twist.

Fun Twists On James Martin Cheese Scones

• Gluten-Free Herbed Scones: Replace wheat flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend, ensuring same texture and adding extra herbs like rosemary for depth.
• Vegan Cheese Alternative Scones: Swap dairy cheese with nutritional yeast and use plant-based milk, coconut oil instead of butter for similar richness.
• Spicy Jalapeño Cheese Scones: Add finely chopped jalapeños and swap thyme with cilantro, incorporate pepper jack cheese for extra kick.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Cheese Scones: Use cauliflower flour, reduced-fat cheese, and add ground flaxseed for binding, maintaining savory profile.

What Goes Well With James Martin Cheese Scones

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio complement the cheesy, herbal notes of these scones perfectly, cutting through the richness with their bright acidity.
• Create a Charcuterie Companion: Serve alongside cured meats like prosciutto or salami, which enhance the scones' savory cheese flavor and provide a delightful textural contrast.
• Spread with Herb-Infused Butter: Whip softened butter with fresh thyme and a pinch of sea salt to amplify the scones' aromatic herbs and add an extra layer of creamy indulgence.
• Match with Fresh Green Salad: Toss a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the scones' richness and provide a refreshing, peppery counterpoint to the cheesy warmth.

Keeping James Martin Cheese Scones Fresh And Tasty

• Store cooled scones in an airtight container for up to 3 days, keeping them fresh and preventing moisture buildup.
• Wrap individual scones tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bag, preserving quality for 2-3 months with minimal flavor loss.
• Warm refrigerated scones at 180C for 5-7 minutes, restoring crispy exterior and soft interior without drying out.
• Heat single scone for 10-15 seconds, creating a warm treat when time is limited, though texture might slightly change.

Questions People Ask About James Martin Cheese Scones

• What are the key ingredients for these cheese scones?

The key ingredients are flour, baking powder, salt, butter, cheese, thyme, milk, and egg.

• Can I use different types of cheese?

Yes, you can substitute cheddar with other hard cheeses like Gruyère, Parmesan, or a blend of cheeses for varied flavor.

• How do I know when the scones are perfectly baked?

Look for a golden-brown top and a firm texture. They should sound hollow when tapped on the bottom and should rise nicely.

• Is this recipe suitable for beginners?

Absolutely! The recipe is straightforward with simple steps, making it perfect for home bakers with basic cooking skills.

Cheese Scones Recipe

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4.8 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 25-27 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Irresistible Cheese Scones bring comfort and warmth from Scotland’s traditional kitchens to your table. Sharp cheddar and buttery crumb create a delightful breakfast or afternoon treat you cannot resist.

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Ingredients

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Cheese Base:

• 150 grams (5.3 ounces) grated cheddar
• 100 grams (3.5 ounces) butter, diced and cold

Dry Ingredients:

• 450 grams (15.9 ounces) strong white flour
• 5 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 pinch of salt

Wet Ingredients and Extras:

• 300 milliliters (10.1 fluid ounces) full-fat milk
• 1 whole egg
• 1 egg yolk (for egg wash)
• Few sprigs of thyme
• Crispy pancetta, cooked
• Extra cheese (for topping)

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Instructions

1. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a spacious mixing bowl, ensuring thorough blending of dry ingredients.
2. Using fingertips, incorporate cold butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse breadcrumbs with uneven texture.
3. Gently fold grated cheese and fragrant thyme into the crumbly base, distributing evenly throughout the mixture.
4. Whisk milk and egg together in a separate container, creating a smooth liquid binding agent.
5. Pour the liquid mixture into the dry ingredients, stirring minimally to prevent overworking the dough.
6. Transfer the soft, slightly sticky dough onto a lightly floured surface.
7. Carefully roll the dough to approximately 2cm thickness using a gentle rolling motion.
8. Utilize a 7cm round cutter to shape 12 uniform scones, pressing straight down without twisting.
9. Arrange scones on a lined baking tray, leaving small gaps between each piece.
10. Delicately brush scone tops with egg yolk for a rich, golden finish.
11. Slide tray into a preheated oven at 220C (200C fan) / 425F and bake for 10-12 minutes until edges turn crisp and surface becomes golden brown.
12. Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly before serving alongside complementary cheese and crispy pancetta.

Notes

• Ensure butter is cold for flakier, more tender scones that crumble perfectly when bitten.
• Grate cheese finely to distribute evenly and create a consistent cheesy flavor throughout the scone.
• Avoid overmixing the dough to prevent tough, dense scones – mix just until ingredients combine.
• For gluten-free option, swap regular flour with a high-quality gluten-free blend and add xanthan gum for better texture.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: British

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 320 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 1.5 g
• Protein: 11 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg