Scones are often associated with sweet flavors, usually paired with a cup of tea. But if you’re ready to shake things up a bit, how about trying this bacon cheddar scones recipe? These are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or even as a snack. With the rich flavors of sharp cheddar cheese and crispy bacon, they’re bound to become a new favorite. Plus, I’ll share some handy baking tips to ensure your scones turn out perfect every time.
If you’re ready to get started, simply hit the “jump to recipe” button. Otherwise, scroll through for some extra baking tips and tricks.bak
Bacon Cheddar Scones: Step-By-Step
First, gather together your ingredients. Here’s a list of what you’ll need to get at the grocery store.
Bacon Cheddar Scones Ingredients
- Flour. All-purpose flour was used to develop this recipe, but pastry flour is a great choice, too. Bread flour, which has a higher protein content, forms gluten more easily and can lead to a tougher scone.
- Sugar. Even though this is a savory recipe, a touch of sugar helps balance the flavors and gives the crust a nice color.
- Baking Powder. Baking powder is used to help lift the scones and keep them from becoming too dense.
- Butter. We’re using unsalted, but if you only have salted butter on hand simply omit the addition of the 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
- Cheese. We went with sharp cheddar for this recipe, but you can also use Gruyere or Pepperjack for a bit of spice.
- Bacon. Be sure to mince the bacon pieces up finely before adding them to the dough. It’s better to have lots of tiny bacon pieces evenly distributed throughout the scones than a few large, chewy chunks of bacon!
- Chives. These little greens are easy to overlook, but they add a wonderful savory and herbaceous flavor to the scones.
- Cream. Heavy cream (also known as heavy whipping cream) is used instead of milk to keep the flavor from being watered down. In this recipe, heavy cream does double duty and is also brushed on top to give the scones a golden coloring once baked.
How To Make Bacon Cheddar Scones
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the cold butter and use either a pastry cutter or a fork to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Fold in one cup of the grated cheese and all of the chives. Pour in 2/3 cup of heavy cream and stir using a wooden spoon or spatula until the mixture just comes together into a dough (it will be dry and crumbly).
Tip the dough out onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Use your hands to form the dough into a disk about 8 inches wide and 1 inch thick. Use a floured knife to cut the dough into eight wedges.
Brush the tops and sides of the scones with heavy cream, then scatter the remaining grated cheese on top. Transfer the scones to the refrigerator to chill for 15-30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
Transfer the scones to the preheated oven and bake for 15-18 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean and the tops are golden brown. Cool for 10 minutes on a wire rack.
What’s The Trick For Making Good Scones?
If you’ve ever wondered why your scones don’t have that signature flaky texture, it could be because the butter melted too quickly into the dough. When we cut the butter into the flour to create a coarse crumb texture, what we’re doing is creating tiny pockets in the structure of the scones. When making scones, it’s important to keep the dough as cold as possible so that the butter doesn’t melt. The best way to achieve this is to:
- Stay cool – Keep both the butter and the cream in the fridge until you are ready to use them.
- No hands – Use a pastry cutter or fork instead of your hands to incorporate the butter into the flour. The heat from your skin will warm up the butter too quickly!
- Work fast – When preparing the scones, make sure you have measured and prepared the ingredients in advance. Don’t let the butter or prepared dough sit out on the counter for too long.
- Chill out – The formed scones benefit from a chill in the fridge while the oven is preheating.
Baking Tips for Perfect Scones
In addition to our trick for making great scones in the section above, here are a few more tips that will have your scones looking like they came from a bakery.
- Cold Ingredients: One of the most critical aspects of making scones is using cold ingredients, especially the butter. Cold butter creates steam during baking, which helps the scones rise and results in a flaky texture. If your kitchen is warm, you can even chill your mixing bowl and utensils.
- Don’t Over Mix: Over mixing the dough can result in tough scones. Mix the ingredients until they are just combined. It’s okay if the dough looks a bit shaggy or rough.
- Use Fresh Baking Powder: Baking powder is a crucial leavening agent in scones. Ensure your baking powder is fresh (not more than 6 months old) for the best rise.
- Evenly Distribute Ingredients: When adding mix-ins like cheese and bacon, ensure they are evenly distributed throughout the dough. This ensures each scone has a good amount of the flavorful ingredients.
- Proper Cutting Technique: When cutting your scones, use a sharp knife and cut straight down. Do not saw back and forth, as this can seal the edges and prevent the scones from rising properly.
- Spacing on the Baking Sheet: Place the scones with enough space between them on the baking sheet. This allows heat to circulate and helps them bake evenly.
- Don’t Over Bake: Keep an eye on your scones towards the end of the baking time. They should be golden brown and slightly firm to the touch. Over baking can result in dry scones.
- Freeze Before Baking: For an extra flaky texture, try freezing the scones for about 15-20 minutes before baking. This chills the butter further, resulting in flakier layers.
Variations and Serving Suggestions
While Bacon Cheddar Scones are delicious on their own, here are some ideas for variations and serving suggestions:
- Add Herbs: Fresh herbs like rosemary, or thyme can add an extra layer of flavor to your scones. Add about 1-2 tablespoons of finely chopped herbs to the dry ingredients.
- Serve with Soup: These scones make a fantastic accompaniment to soups, especially creamy ones like potato leek or tomato bisque.
- Breakfast Sandwiches: Slice a scone in half and fill it with scrambled eggs and a slice of ham for a delicious breakfast sandwich. (It tastes amazing with a slightly runny egg!)
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or some finely chopped jalapeños to the dough for a spicy twist.
Storing and Reheating
Cheddar Bacon Scones are best enjoyed fresh, but you can store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, freeze the scones in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer bag. They can be frozen for up to 3 months.
To reheat frozen scones, simply warm them in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 10 minutes, or until heated through. This helps maintain their crisp exterior and tender interior.
You can freeze the scones before baking them too, and then bake them from frozen. To do this, prepare the cheddar scones as directed and once they’ve been cut into wedges pop them in the freezer until very firm. Place them into a freezer bag and store them for up to three months. When you’re ready to bake them, let them thaw at room temperature while the oven is preheating (about 15-20 minutes). Bake at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-18 minutes or until baked through.
Final Thoughts On This Savory Scone Recipe
Bacon Cheddar Scones are a delightful salty savory twist on a classic treat. Their flavor profile, combined with the perfect balance of texture, makes them an irresistible addition to any meal. Whether you’re enjoying them for breakfast, brunch, or as a savory snack, these scones are sure to impress. With these tips and techniques, you’ll be baking scones like a pro in no time. So, roll up your sleeves, preheat your oven, and get ready to enjoy the mouthwatering goodness of homemade Cheddar Bacon Scones!
Bacon Cheddar Scones
Yield:
8
Prep Time:
30 minutes
Cook Time:
15 minutes
Total Time:
45 minutes
A delicious savory scone recipe for your next brunch!
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed (8tbsp)
- 1 cup + 2 tablespoons grated sharp cheddar cheese (about 4 ounces), divided
- 1/2 cup minced cooked bacon
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh chives
- 2/3 cup + 2 tablespoons cold heavy cream, divided
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the cold butter and use either a pastry cutter or a fork to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Fold in one cup of the grated cheese and all of the chives.
- Pour in 2/3 cup of heavy cream and stir using a wooden spoon or spatula until the mixture just comes together into a dough (it will be dry and crumbly).
- Tip the dough out onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Use your hands to form the dough into a disk about 8 inches wide and 1 inch thick. Use a floured knife to cut the dough into eight wedges.
- Brush the tops and sides of the scones with heavy cream, then scatter the remaining grated cheese on top.
- Transfer the scones to the refrigerator to chill for 15-30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Transfer the scones to the preheated oven and bake for 15-18 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean and the tops are golden brown. Cool for 10 minutes on a wire rack.
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