Description
Savory cheese scones from Jamie Oliver bring British bakery magic to your kitchen. Crisp exterior and tender crumb promise a delightful companion to afternoon tea or a hearty breakfast spread you’ll want to share with friends.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 450 g (15.9 oz) self-raising flour
- 150 g (5.3 oz) butter
- 50 g (1.8 oz) Cheddar cheese, grated
Liquid Ingredients:
- 2 free-range eggs
- 4 tablespoons milk
- Additional milk for brushing
Spices and Seasonings:
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius (400 degrees Fahrenheit), setting the gas mark to 6.
- Using a food processor, pulse cold butter and flour together until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs. Transfer the mixture to a mixing bowl, creating a central depression.
- In a separate bowl, whisk eggs and milk together, seasoning generously with salt and pepper. Pour this liquid mixture into the flour well, adding extra milk if the dough appears too dry. Gently incorporate the wet ingredients into the flour.
- Divide the dough into three equal portions, spreading them across the work surface.
- Sprinkle each dough section with a distinct flavoring: one with mustard powder, another with cumin powder, and the third with chopped cheese.
- Tenderly knead each dough piece, ensuring the added ingredients are evenly distributed without overworking the mixture.
- Gently roll or press each dough portion to approximately 2.5 centimeters (1 inch) thickness.
- Using an 8-centimeter (3-inch) round cutter or a glass rim, cut two circular shapes from each dough section.
- Arrange the cut scones on a baking sheet, positioning them upside down. Delicately brush the top of each scone with additional milk.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until the scones achieve a golden color and have risen significantly.
Notes
- Chilling butter beforehand creates pockets of fat that create irresistible flaky layers during baking.
- Grating frozen butter helps distribute it evenly throughout the dough without overworking the mixture.
- Cutting ingredients with a pastry blender or fork prevents warming and maintains crucial cold temperature.
- Handling dough minimally prevents gluten development, keeping scones tender and light.
- Placing shaped scones in refrigerator for 15 minutes before baking helps them hold their structure.
- Using sharp knife or bench scraper creates clean edges that support proper rising during cooking.
- Rotating baking sheet halfway through ensures consistent golden-brown coloration across entire batch.
- Selecting high-fat content cheese enhances richness and provides deeper flavor complexity.
- Incorporating herbs like thyme or rosemary adds unexpected depth to classic cheese scone profile.
- Sprinkling extra cheese on top before baking creates delicious crispy exterior with melted highlights.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 260 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 100 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg