This easy cheese scones recipe makes soft, fluffy, savory scones loaded with shredded cheddar cheese. They are golden on top, tender inside, and delicious served warm with butter.
Made with simple ingredients like flour, baking powder, cold butter, milk, salt, and cheese, these homemade cheese scones come together quickly without yeast or complicated steps.
They are perfect for breakfast, brunch, afternoon snacks, lunchboxes, or serving with soup and salad. For a sweet version, try these English Scones with Jam and Cream.
Table of contents
- Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients for This Cheese Scones Recipe
- Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- How To Make Cheese Scones
- Expert Tips for Perfect Cheese Scones
- Storage and Reheating
- What Cheese Is Best for Cheese Scones?
- Variations
- Common Mistakes To Avoid
- What To Serve With Cheese Scones
- How to Keep Cheese Scones Soft
- FAQs
- More Recipes You’ll Love
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Soft and fluffy texture.
- Loaded with cheesy flavor.
- Made with simple everyday ingredients.
- Great for breakfast, brunch, or snacks.
- Delicious served warm with butter.
Ingredients for This Cheese Scones Recipe
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese or tasty cheese, tightly packed
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 7 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
- 3/4 cup cold milk, plus extra for brushing
For Topping and Serving
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese, for topping
- Butter, for spreading
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
All-Purpose Flour
All-purpose flour gives these Cheese Scones a soft but sturdy texture. For the most accurate result, weigh the flour if possible. If using cups, fluff the flour first, spoon it into the measuring cup, then level it off without packing it down. See this guide to measuring flour.
Cheese
Cheddar cheese gives the best savory flavor. You can also use tasty cheese, sharp cheddar, Gruyere, Colby, or a cheese blend.For another easy cheesy breakfast or brunch idea, try this Cheesy Oven Baked Egg Toast. It has crisp bread edges, melted cheese, and a soft eggy center.
For better flavor and melting, shred cheese from a block when possible instead of using pre-shredded cheese. See this guide to when to use pre-shredded cheese.
Baking Powder
Baking powder helps the scones rise and gives them a lighter texture. Make sure it is fresh for the best result.
Cold Butter
Cold butter is important because it helps create a tender, slightly flaky texture. Cut it into small cubes before mixing.
Milk
Cold milk brings the dough together. Full-fat milk gives a richer texture, but low-fat milk can also work.
Salt
Kosher salt balances the richness of the butter and cheese. If using table salt, use a little less.
How To Make Cheese Scones
- Preheat the oven.
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. - Mix the dry ingredients.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. - Add the butter.
Add the cold butter cubes to the flour mixture. Rub the butter into the flour with your fingertips until the mixture looks crumbly. - Add the cheese.
Stir in the shredded cheese until evenly mixed through the flour mixture. - Add the milk.
Pour in the cold milk and gently mix until a soft dough forms. Do not overmix. Once flour and liquid are combined, too much mixing can develop more gluten and make the scones dense instead of tender. See this guide to avoiding overmixing.
- Shape the dough.
Transfer the dough onto parchment paper or a lightly floured surface. Gently press it into a thick round shape. - Add topping.
Brush the top lightly with extra milk, then sprinkle more shredded cheese over the top. - Cut the scones.
Cut the dough into wedges and place the pieces on the prepared baking sheet. - Bake.
Bake until the Cheese Scones are risen, lightly golden, and the cheese on top is melted and browned.
- Serve.
Serve warm with butter.
Expert Tips for Perfect Cheese Scones
- Use cold butter for the best texture.
- Do not overwork the dough, or the scones can become dense.
- Use freshly shredded cheese if possible for better flavor.
- Keep the dough thick before cutting so the scones rise well.
- Brush the top with milk to help the cheese topping turn golden.
- Bake on parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Serve warm for the softest texture.
- Let the scones cool slightly before splitting open.
Storage and Reheating
Store Cheese Scones in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
For longer storage, keep them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheat in a 300°F oven for 5 to 8 minutes, or warm briefly in the microwave.
You can also freeze Cheese Scones for up to 2 months. Wrap them well, freeze, then reheat from frozen in the oven until warm.
What Cheese Is Best for Cheese Scones?
Sharp cheddar is the best cheese for cheese scones because it gives a strong savory flavor and melts well. You can also use Gruyere, Colby, Monterey Jack, or a shredded cheese blend. For the best texture, grate the cheese from a block instead of using pre-shredded cheese.
Variations
Cheddar Cheese Scones
Use sharp cheddar for a stronger cheese flavor.
Herb Cheese Scones
Add chopped chives, parsley, thyme, or rosemary to the dough.
Garlic Cheese Scones
Add garlic powder to the dry ingredients for a savory garlic flavor.
Spicy Cheese Scones
Add a pinch of cayenne pepper, chili flakes, or chopped jalapeño.
Ham and Cheese Scones
Fold in finely chopped ham with the shredded cheese.
Cheese Scones
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mix the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Add the cold butter and rub it into the flour mixture until crumbly.
- Stir in the shredded cheese.
- Pour in the cold milk and gently mix until a soft dough forms.
- Transfer the dough to parchment paper or a lightly floured surface and press into a thick round.
- Brush the top lightly with milk and sprinkle with extra shredded cheese.
- Cut the dough into 8 wedges.
- Place the scones on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake until risen, golden, and cooked through.
- Serve warm with butter.
Nutrition
Video
Notes
- Do not overmix the dough.
- Use cold butter and cold milk for the best texture.
- Freshly shredded cheese gives better flavor and melting.
- The scones are best served warm on the day they are baked.
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Using warm butter instead of cold butter.
- Overworking the dough, which can make the cheese scones tough.
- Adding too much flour while shaping the dough.
- Using too little cheese, which can make the flavor bland.
- Rolling the dough too thin before cutting.
- Baking at a low temperature instead of a hot oven.
- Skipping the milk or egg wash on top for a golden finish.
What To Serve With Cheese Scones
Serve Cheese Scones with butter, cream cheese, scrambled eggs, omelets, chicken soup, chili, salad, or roasted vegetables. They are also delicious with this Creamy Tomato Soup for a cozy lunch or light dinner.
They are also great for brunch boards, lunchboxes, and savory afternoon snacks.For a simple brunch plate, serve these warm cheese scones with a soft French Omelette, fresh herbs, and a little butter on the side.
How to Keep Cheese Scones Soft
To keep cheese scones soft, do not overmix the dough and avoid baking them too long. Store leftovers in an airtight container once they are completely cool. Reheat them gently in the oven for a few minutes before serving so the inside becomes soft again.
FAQs
Yes. You can use Gruyere, Colby, Monterey Jack, tasty cheese, or a shredded cheese blend.
The dough was probably overmixed or the butter became too warm. Mix gently and keep the ingredients cold.
Brush the top with milk and add extra shredded cheese before baking.
Yes. You can use self-rising flour, but reduce or skip the baking powder and salt because self-rising flour already contains raising agents and salt.
Sharp cheddar is the best choice because it gives strong flavor and melts well. Gruyere, Colby, or tasty cheese also work.
Yes. Cheese scones are best fresh, but you can bake them ahead and reheat them in the oven before serving.
The baking powder may be old, the dough may have been rolled too thin, or the dough may have been overworked.
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Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
