Simple Cheese Scones
Kefir and biscuits? I would hardly put these two together in a perfect world, unless we are talking about the baking world! Cultured Lifeway kefir adds a touch of rich texture for these pillowy-soft cheese scones and seasonings of choice. I am here to teach you baking biscuits and scones are not as intimating as you think. You can also follow my Online SugarFaceBakes Culinary Academy Membership for on demand weekly recipe, workshops, and extra fun stuff…including sweet and savory scones!
Why You'll Love This Simple Cheese Scones
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The Secret Ingredient: Kefir adds a slight tang and a tender crumb that you just can’t get with regular milk.
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Customizable: This recipe is a blank canvas. I love adding jalapeños for a spicy kick, but you can add bacon, herbs, or even everything bagel seasoning to suit your taste.
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Super Quick: From pantry to plate in just 25 minutes, making these the perfect last-minute addition to any meal. If you love savory bakes, be sure to try my Homemade Focaccia Bread or Garlic Bread next!
Key Ingredients You'll Need
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Whole Wheat Flour: Provides a nutty taste and heartier texture. You can swap this for all-purpose flour if you prefer a lighter, homestyle crumb.
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Cold Butter: The absolute key to flaky scones. Keeping it cold creates pea-sized chunks that turn into steam pockets in the oven.
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Shredded Cheese: Use your favorite hard, flavorful cheese. Sharp cheddar, Parmesan, or even Gruyère work wonders here.
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Dried Rosemary: Adds a beautiful, aromatic savory note that pairs perfectly with the cheese.
- Plain Kefir: Kefir is a gut bacteria that aids in healthy digestion. Here to help is Lifeway who offers a wide variety of flavors and best when consume in its most organic form. However, I use kefir to create tender baked goods but also love kefir in my espresso overnight oats with kefir, quick chocolate mousse that tastes like chocolate cheesecake, peach bread pudding, and harvest smoothies for a healthy start to the day. Other fan favorites include gut friendly honey mustard salad dressing with kefir, and many other tested and approved top notch recipes coming soon!
How to Make Simple Cheese Scones
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Prep: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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Pulse: In a food processor, pulse together the flour, baking powder, salt, and cold butter until you see pea-sized chunks.
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Combine: Add the sugar and kefir, pulsing just a few more times until the dough begins to come together.
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Knead & Fold: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Gently knead the dough into a ball, folding in the shredded cheese as you go.
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Cut: Roll the dough to 1/2-inch thickness and cut into rounds using a biscuit cutter (or the rim of a glass).
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Bake: Transfer to your prepared baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes. Let them rest for 1 minute before serving.
How To Make Scones
The secret here is use really cold butter! First, take the butter out the wrapper and cut it into chunks. Then, place the butter back in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes. After that I place the flour and butter in my handy food processor. If you don’t have one I highly recommend this one and the mini version for small batch things like sauces, dressings, etc. Next, add the sugar and kefir and give this a few pulses. Now, the sticky process of kneading the dough. I remove the dough from bowl and begin to knead the dough together on a lightly floured surface. Your dough is ready to roll at this stage. Roll into 1-inch thick rectangle or circle and use a large biscuit cutter. My mom always used the top of a drinking glass. Lastly, use the scraps to repeat the process then bake!
Jalapeno Cheddar Scones?
This recipe was developed for your personal touch. I love spicy foods so whenever I can add a jalapeno to the mix I take full advantage. Add or take away your favorite mix in ingredients. Bacon is always a win for a cheese and bacon scones or an everything bagel scone with everything bagel seasoning you can find in the spice aisle in your local grocer. Not a cheese fan or dairy free? Use dairy free butter or vegan butter to make Simple Cheese Scones with Kefir vegan scones or dairy free scones. For a dairy free and gluten free scones use the suggestion above for gluten free flour and some vegan butter. I used vegan butter for this recipe and it turned out delicious! I can’t wait to hear what you goodies you add to your scones!
Simple Cheese Scones with Kefir
Ingredients
- 2 cups whole wheat flour or all-purpose
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 4 tablespoons cold butter, diced
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup plain kefir
- 1/3 cup loosely packed shredded cheese
- Dried rosemary
Directions
- Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- First, in a food process, pulse together (18-20 pulses) the flour, baking powder, salt, seasonings (if using) and cold butter.
- Next, pulse the blend together until the butter is pea sized chunks Use your best judgement.
- Add sugar and kefir, give it 4 more pulses. This is just to combine.
- Remove the dough from the bowl and knead into a ball sprinkling the cheese in as you go on a lightly floured surface.
- Roll your dough out into a 1/2-inch thick round circle or rectangle. Using a biscuit cutter, start to cut your dough and transfer onto your prepared baking sheet. Repeat this process with remaining scraps.
- Bake 10 minutes, remove from the oven and allow biscuits to rest for 1 minute.
- Serve and enjoy! Store in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of cheese in Cheese Scones?
Yes, you can use any hard, flavorful cheese for these Cheese Scones. Sharp cheddar is the classic choice, but Gruyère or even an aged Gouda provides a delicious depth of flavor. Just ensure you grate the cheese yourself to avoid the anti-caking agents found in pre-shredded bags.
How long do Cheese Scones last and can I freeze them?
Cheese Scones stay fresh for up to 3 days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator. For longer storage, you can freeze them for up to 2 months and reheat them in a 350°F oven until warmed through. They are best served slightly warm with a smear of salted butter.
Why did my Cheese Scones turn out flat?
Cheese Scones usually turn out flat if the butter was too warm or if the dough was over-handled. You want the butter to remain in pea-sized chunks throughout the dough to create steam pockets during baking, which gives the scones their lift. Handle the dough as little as possible and keep your ingredients cold for the fluffiest result.
Can I make Cheese Scones gluten-free?
Yes, you can make Cheese Scones gluten-free by substituting the whole wheat or all-purpose flour with a high-quality 1:1 gluten-free baking blend that contains xanthan gum. The method remains exactly the same, but you may need to add an extra tablespoon of kefir if the dough feels too dry. The result will be just as savory and delicious as the original.
Do I need a food processor to make Cheese Scones?
You do not need a food processor to make Cheese Scones. A simple pastry cutter or even your fingertips work perfectly well to incorporate the butter into the flour until you achieve the desired texture. If you do use a food processor, use the pulse setting to avoid overworking the dough, which keeps the scones light and airy.
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