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Savory Ham & Cheese Scones Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 72 reviews

These Savory Ham & Cheese Scones are a perfect blend of flaky, buttery pastry studded with sharp cheddar cheese, fresh chives, and savory ham. Ideal for breakfast, brunch, or a tasty snack, they offer a delightful combination of flavors and textures that are easy to prepare and bake to golden perfection.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled), plus more for hands and work surface
  • 1 Tablespoon (12g) granulated sugar
  • 2 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 Tablespoons chopped fresh chives

Dairy & Butter

  • 1 cup (about 100g or 3.5 oz) shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup (8 Tbsp; 113g) unsalted butter, frozen
  • 2/3 cup (160ml) cold buttermilk, plus 1 Tablespoon for brushing
  • 1 large egg, separated

Meat

  • 3/4 cup (about 110g or 3 oz) finely chopped ham

Optional Topping

  • Flaky sea salt

Instructions

  1. Combine Dry Ingredients: Whisk the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, garlic powder, salt, and freshly ground black pepper together in a large bowl. Stir in the chopped fresh chives and shredded cheddar cheese evenly.
  2. Incorporate Butter: Grate the frozen unsalted butter using a box grater into the flour mixture. Use a pastry cutter, two forks, or your fingers to blend the butter into the mixture until it resembles pea-sized crumbs. Refrigerate or freeze while preparing the wet ingredients.
  3. Prepare Wet Ingredients and Mix Dough: Whisk together the cold buttermilk and egg yolk in a separate bowl, reserving the egg white for later. Pour this wet mix over the flour and cheese mixture, add the finely chopped ham, and mix until the dough just begins to clump together.
  4. Shape Dough for Triangle Scones: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured work surface. Using floured hands, gently work it into a ball; the dough will be sticky. If necessary, add more flour if too sticky or 1 to 2 more tablespoons of cold buttermilk if too dry. Press the dough into an 8-inch disc.
  5. Cut Dough into Wedges: Using a sharp knife or bench scraper, cut the 8-inch disc into 8 equal triangle wedges. For smaller, drop scones: keep mixing the dough in the bowl until it comes together, then drop about 1/4 cup of dough per scone, spaced 3 inches apart, onto a lined baking sheet.
  6. Brush with Egg Wash: Whisk together 1 tablespoon of buttermilk with the reserved egg white. Lightly brush this mixture over the scones and, if desired, sprinkle with flaky sea salt. You can do this brushing either before or after a short refrigeration.
  7. Chill the Dough: Place the scones on a plate or lined baking sheet and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes to firm up before baking.
  8. Preheat Oven: While the dough chills, preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C).
  9. Prepare for Baking: Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone baking mat. If making smaller or drop scones, use two baking sheets. After chilling, arrange the scones 2 to 3 inches apart on the prepared sheet(s).
  10. Bake the Scones: Bake for 22 to 25 minutes, or until the scones are golden brown around the edges and lightly browned on top. Remove from the oven and allow cooling on the baking sheet for a few minutes before serving.
  11. Storage: Store leftover scones at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Note that scones tend to soften by day 2 when stored.

Notes

  • Use frozen butter to ensure a flaky texture in the scones; warming causes the butter to blend too much with the flour.
  • If the dough is too sticky, add a bit more flour sparingly to avoid tough scones.
  • For softer scones, do not overmix the dough; mix only until it just comes together.
  • Flaky sea salt on top adds a nice finishing touch but is optional.
  • Refrigerating the dough before baking firms up the butter and helps achieve better rise and texture.

Keywords: ham scones, cheese scones, savory scones, breakfast scones, cheddar scones, easy scones recipe

Find it online: https://flavorsbymaya.com/savory-ham-and-cheese-scones-recipe/