Savory Cheddar-Black Pepper Scones
These Savory Cheddar-Black Pepper Scones are a delightful twist on traditional scones, infusing rich cheddar cheese and a kick of freshly ground black pepper for an unforgettable flavor combination. Perfectly flaky and golden, these scones are best enjoyed warm right out of the oven but can also make a fantastic accompaniment for soups, salads, or as a standalone snack. With their irresistible aroma and satisfying texture, they’ll quickly become a favorite in your baking repertoire.
N/A
Servings
80
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
all-purpose flour
3 cups (sifted)
baking powder
2 tablespoons (sifted with flour)
baking soda
1/2 teaspoon (sifted with flour)
salt
1 teaspoon (sifted with flour)
granulated sugar
1 tablespoon (sifted with flour)
unsalted butter
1/2 cup (cold and cubed)
grated cheddar cheese
4 ounces (freshly grated)
fresh coarse ground black pepper
1 tablespoon (to taste)
buttermilk or plain yogurt
3/4 cup (at room temperature)
milk
1/4 cup (for glazing (optional))
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or grease it generously.
2
In a large mixing bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and granulated sugar to ensure an even distribution of ingredients.
3
Cut in the unsalted butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Then, gently fold in the grated cheddar cheese, ensuring it's evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
4
Stir in the freshly ground black pepper, adjusting the amount to your taste preference for a spicier bite.
5
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for about 30 minutes to chill – this helps achieve a better texture.
6
After chilling, add the buttermilk or yogurt, mixing gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the scones tender.
7
Place the dough on a well-floured surface and carefully roll or pat it into a rectangle approximately 12 x 8 inches and about 3/4-inch thick.
8
Transfer the dough to the prepared baking sheet using a large spatula and cut it into 1 1/2-inch squares with a dough scraper or a sharp knife, keeping them slightly separated on the sheet.
9
If desired, brush the tops lightly with milk to enhance browning while baking.
10
Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the scones are very lightly browned on top and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let them cool slightly before serving.
Nutrition Information
6g
Fat
6g
Carbs
2.4g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Savory Cheddar-Black Pepper Scones?
These are a delightful twist on traditional scones, infusing rich cheddar cheese and freshly ground black pepper for a flaky, savory flavor.
What oven temperature is required for baking these scones?
The oven should be preheated to 400°F (200°C).
Which dry ingredients need to be sifted together?
You should sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and granulated sugar.
How should the butter be incorporated into the flour mixture?
Cut in the cold, cubed unsalted butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
What kind of cheese is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 4 ounces of freshly grated cheddar cheese.
How much black pepper should I add?
The recipe suggests 1 tablespoon of fresh coarse ground black pepper, but you can adjust this to your taste preference.
Why does the dough need to be refrigerated?
Refrigerating the dough for about 30 minutes helps chill the ingredients, which results in a better texture for the scones.
How long should I chill the scone dough?
The dough should be covered and refrigerated for approximately 30 minutes.
What liquid is used to bind the dough?
You can use 3/4 cup of either buttermilk or plain yogurt.
What temperature should the buttermilk or yogurt be?
The buttermilk or plain yogurt should be at room temperature.
What is the secret to keeping the scones tender?
Avoid overmixing the dough once the liquid is added; mix gently until just combined.
How should I shape the dough before cutting?
Roll or pat the dough into a rectangle approximately 12 x 8 inches.
How thick should the scone dough be rolled?
The dough should be about 3/4-inch thick.
What size should I cut the scones into?
Cut the dough into 1 1/2-inch squares using a dough scraper or sharp knife.
How should the scones be arranged on the baking sheet?
Keep the cut squares slightly separated on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or generously greased.
Can I glaze the scones before baking?
Yes, you can optionally brush the tops lightly with milk to enhance browning.
How long do the scones take to bake?
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until very lightly browned.
How can I tell if the scones are fully cooked?
A toothpick inserted into the center of a scone should come out clean.
Should I serve the scones immediately?
They are best enjoyed warm, but let them cool slightly after removing them from the oven before serving.
What are the nutritional calories per scone?
Each scone contains approximately 80 calories.
How much fat is in one Savory Cheddar-Black Pepper Scone?
Each scone contains about 6g of fat.
What is the carbohydrate content of these scones?
Each scone contains 6g of carbohydrates.
How much protein is in a single serving?
Each scone provides approximately 2.4g of protein.
What are some suggested pairings for these scones?
They make a fantastic accompaniment for soups, salads, or can be eaten as a standalone snack.
How much flour is required for this recipe?
The recipe requires 3 cups of sifted all-purpose flour.
Is there sugar in these savory scones?
Yes, the recipe uses 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar to balance the flavors.
What type of butter should I use?
Use 1/2 cup of unsalted butter that is cold and cubed.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include savory scones, cheddar cheese, black pepper, baking, appetizer, snack, and comfort food.
What should the texture of the butter-flour mixture look like?
It should resemble coarse crumbs after cutting in the butter.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are a total of 10 ingredients used in this recipe.