Home ยทย Recipes ยทย Desserts & Baking ยทย Scones & Biscuits Savory Scones Author: Maryanne CabreraPublished: May 23, 2023Updated: Mar 26, 2024 View RecipeRead ReviewsThis post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy. Rich, buttery savory scones flavored with parmesan cheese and freshly ground black pepper. Table of Contents Savory Cheese SconesThe importance of cold ingredientsIngredientsFlavor OptionsInstructionsMake Ahead and Freeze Scones for LaterStoring and Reheating SconesRelated RecipesSavory SconesView moreView less These savory cheese scones are perfect on their own, or an excellent companion to soup or salad! It pairs wonderfully with green pea soup or shaved Brussels sprouts salad. I’ve always associated scones with sweet flavors such as white chocolate strawberry scones or brown butter peach scones. But, scones can be so much more! Savory Cheese Scones Let’s skip the sugar. Instead, add flavor and intrigue through the addition of cheese and spices! A savory spin on the classic scone. This version uses a combination of fresh grated parmesan cheese, black pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. Use your choice of shredded cheese. Pair it with herbs such as rosemary, thyme, or basil. The Difference Between Biscuits and Scones Biscuits are an American quick bread known for its flakey texture. It is traditionally savory, made without sugar. And, it is leavened with baking powder. Scones are a Scottish quick bread with a golden crust and soft, delicate interior. It can sweet or savory. Scones 101The importance of cold ingredientsCold butter is important for any dough that requires fat to be cut into dry ingredients. The technique of โcuttingโ fat into dry ingredients produces that desired flakey texture associated with scones, biscuits, and pie dough. The little pockets of fat melt and steam during baking. This helps to leaven the scone, while also creating distinct flakey layers. Ingredients Scottish scones tend to be a bit drier in texture with a crumbly, delicate interior. American scones often include egg, which creates a softer, muffin like texture. Note: Omit the egg if you want a drier, crumblier scone. For best results, work with cold ingredients! The base dough is made with: Flour: Regular all-purpose flour. In a pinch, you may use bread flour. Baking Powder: Make sure the baking powder is fresh and still active! Egg: This helps to bind ingredients togeter. Butter: Use super cold butter. Heavy Cream: Alternatively, you may swap in half and half or whole milk. Mix-Ins: Whatever cheeses, herbs or spices you want. Savory Cheese SconeFlavor Options Other great cheese and spice/herb pairing include: Pecorino Romano + black pepper (like Cacio e pepe!) Pepper Jack + garlic powder + oregano Cheddar + thyme Cheddar + rosemary Cheddar + Old Bay seasoning Use 1 cup of grated or shredded cheese + 1 Tbsp dried seasonings or 1/2 Tbsp fresh seasonings Instructions Scones are mixed together like biscuits and pie dough. First, the dry ingredients are mixed together. Then, the fat is quickly cut into the dry mixture. Liquid is added and the dough is mixed together until just barely combined. Scones benefit greatly from COLD INGREDIENTS. Chilling all the ingredients (flour, egg, cream), really makes a difference in keeping the butter cold during mixing. Step 1: Preheat oven. Whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and spices. Cut cold butter into flour mixture. Step 2: Add in cheese. Follow with cream and egg. Step 3: The dough should look like a “saggy mess” before you start kneading it together. Dump coarse dough onto clean work surface. Step 4: Work quickly to knead dough together. You want to see little pockets of butter marbled throughout the dough like the photo above. Step 5: Pat dough to a flat 8-inch circle, about 1/2-inch thick. Slice into 8 equal sized wedges. Step 6: Lightly brush tops with cream. Sprinkle additional cheese and spices on top. Bake until golden brown. These savory scones are best served warm. However, they’re still just as delicious at room temperature. Make Ahead and Freeze Scones for Later Prepare scone dough ahead of time: Make scone dough as directed and portion out into wedges. Securely wrap individual scone wedges in plastic wrap. Place on a flat baking sheet and pop in the freezer for a few hours until firm. Once solid, transfer all the wrapped scones into a large freezer safe zip-top bag or other freezer safe storage container. When ready to bake: Defrost frozen scones at room temperature for about 45 minutes. Bake according to original recipe instructions. Scones may be frozen in airtight containers for up to a month. After a month, the quality and flavor of the ingredients does tend to diminish. Storing and Reheating Scones Store cooled cheese scones in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. Alternatively, keep in the fridge up for 4 days. To reheat room temperature scones: Place scone on a microwave safe plate and heat in the microwave for 10 second intervals until warm. Or, pop in a toaster oven for 3-5 minutes. For longer storage: For longer storage, individually wrap scones in plastic wrap and keep in an airtight zip-top freezer bag. Savory scones will keep in the freezer for up one month. Defrost at room temperature. Related Recipes Cheesy Cheddar Biscuits Black Pepper Cheese Biscuits Cream Biscuits Cheddar Cheese Cream Biscuits Savory Scones 5 from 2 votes Rich, buttery savory scones flavored with parmesan cheese and freshly ground black pepper. Swap in your choice of cheese, herbs, and spices. Prep Time: 30 minutes minutesCook Time: 20 minutes minutesTotal Time: 50 minutes minutes Servings: 8 Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe Ingredients▢ 2 cups all-purpose flour (260 g)▢ 2 teaspoons baking powder (8 g)▢ ยฝ teaspoon kosher salt▢ 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper (3 g) optional, see notes▢ ยฝ teaspoon onion powder optional, see notes▢ ยฝ teaspoon garlic powder optional, see notes▢ ยฝ cup unsalted butter (113 g), cold, cut into small cubes▢ 1 cup grated or shredded parmesan cheese (120 g) see notes▢ ยฝ cup heavy cream (114 g), cold▢ 1 large egg, coldTopping:▢ heavy cream for brushing tops▢ additional cheese for topping▢ additional spices for topping Instructions Preheat oven to 375โ. Line baking sheet with parchment paper or reusable silicone baking mat. Set aside.In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and spices. Toss in cubed butter. Cover and keep in the freezer for 15-30 minutes until ingredients are cold.Remove bowl from freezer. Using a pastry cutter (pastry blender) or two forks, cut butter into flour until mixture resembles coarse sand. Mix in cheese.Add in cream and whisked egg. Use a sturdy spatula to fold mixture together until a "shaggy mess" dough forms.Dump coarse dough onto a clean work surface. Working quickly, knead dough together until cohesive. Be careful not melt the butter with your warm hands.*Alternatively, work on a large sheet of parchment paper. Use the edges of the parchment paper to held fold and knead the dough together.Pat dough out into a flat 8-inch round, about ยฝ-inch thick. *If you have hot hands, use a lightly floured rolling pin.Use a sharp knife or a bench scraper to slice round into 8 equal sized wedges.Transfer cut scones onto prepared baking sheet, allowing at least 2-inches between scones. Lightly brush scone tops with heavy cream. Sprinkle additional cheese and spice on top.Bake for 18-20 minutes until scones have puffed up and are golden brown in color. Cool slightly on baking sheet before transferring to wire rack. Serve scones warm. NotesIngredients: I used a combination of black pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. You may swap in your choice of spices depending on your choice of cheese. I used grated parmesan cheese. Mixed with the onion and garlic powder, this combination tastes like Cheez-it crackers.ย Other great cheese and spice/herb pairing include: Pecorino Romano + black pepper (like Cacio e pepe!) Pepper Jack + garlic powder + oregano Cheddar + thyme Cheddar + rosemary Cheddar + Old Bay seasoningย Use 1 cup of grated or shredded cheese + 1 Tbsp dried seasonings or 1/2 Tbsp fresh seasonings Storage and Reheating: Store cooled scones in airtight container at room temperature for up to two days or in the fridge for up to four days. Reheat scones in microwave for 10 second intervals until warm. Or, place in toaster oven for 3-5 minutes until warm. For longer storage- individually wrap scones in plastic wrap, then store in an airtight zip-top freezer bag. Keep in the freezer for up to one month. Defrost at room temperature NutritionCalories: 329kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 79mg | Sodium: 484mg | Potassium: 92mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 714IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 193mg | Iron: 2mg Author: Maryanne Cabrera Course: Appetizer, BreadCuisine: American Did you make this recipe?Show us on Instagram! Tag @littleepicurean and hashtag #littleepicurean.