Savory Cheese Herb Scones (Printable Version)

Fluffy golden scones bursting with sharp cheddar and fresh herbs, ideal for snack or brunch.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 teaspoons baking powder
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
04 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Cheese & Herbs

05 - 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated
06 - 2 tablespoons fresh chives, finely chopped
07 - 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves or 1 teaspoon dried thyme

→ Wet Ingredients

08 - 1/3 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
09 - 3/4 cup whole milk
10 - 1 large egg

# How to Make It:

01 - Set oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and black pepper.
03 - Add cold cubed butter and rub into the dry ingredients using your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
04 - Stir grated cheddar, chives, and thyme into the crumbly mixture until evenly distributed.
05 - Whisk together the milk and egg in a small bowl, reserving 1 tablespoon for brushing the tops later.
06 - Pour most of the milk-egg mixture into the dry ingredients and gently fold until just combined, avoiding overmixing.
07 - Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and pat into a 1-inch thick round disc.
08 - Use a 2.5-inch round cutter to cut out scones, placing them onto the prepared baking sheet. Recombine scraps to repeat the process.
09 - Brush scone tops with the reserved milk mixture and bake for 18 to 20 minutes until golden brown.
10 - Allow scones to cool slightly on a wire rack before serving warm or at room temperature.

# Expert Insights:

01 -
  • They're ready in under 40 minutes from craving to warm scone in hand.
  • The sharp cheddar and fresh herbs make them taste restaurant-quality without any fussy technique.
  • They work as a snack, a side dish, or the unexpected star of brunch.
  • One batch disappears faster than you'd think, and your friends will ask for the recipe.
02 -
  • Don't skip the cold butter step—room temperature butter makes dense, sad scones instead of the fluffy, tender ones you're after.
  • Overmixing the dough is the enemy; mix just until combined and trust that your ingredients know what to do.
  • Reserve and use that egg wash for the top—it transforms plain scones into golden, bakery-quality ones.
03 -
  • If your oven runs hot, start checking at 16 minutes—golden brown can happen faster than you expect, and you want them done but not dry.
  • The sound of a scone breaking open is one of the best kitchen sounds—that crisp exterior and tender inside is the mark of a perfect scone.

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