Cheese and Chive Scones

Cheese and chive scones are a comforting and flavorful treat perfect for weekend brunch or a cozy afternoon snack. With sharp cheddar and fresh chives folded into flaky dough, they bring a wonderful savory note that feels both indulgent and simple to prepare at home.

I first made these scones on a lazy Saturday morning and they quickly became a favorite whenever I want that fresh bakery feeling without leaving home. They are easy to customize too which keeps things interesting.

Ingredients

• All-purpose flour: forms the base giving structure and a tender crumb look for unbleached for best texture
• Sugar: adds a touch of sweetness to balance the savory flavors
• Baking powder and baking soda: provide the lift that gives the scones a light flaky texture
• Salt: enhances all the flavors so do not skip it
• Frozen unsalted butter: is grated to blend evenly in the dough for flakiness keep it very cold to prevent melting
• Sharp cheddar cheese: offers rich tang and depth choose a high-quality aged cheddar for the best flavor
• Fresh chives: add bright oniony notes freshly chopped for maximum aroma
• Buttermilk: reacts with the leavening agents for tender crumb and subtle tang choose full fat for richness

Instructions

Build The Dry Mix:

Whisk together flour sugar baking powder baking soda and salt in a large bowl to distribute ingredients evenly. This ensures your scones will rise nicely and have consistent flavor throughout.

Incorporate The Butter:

Grate the frozen butter with a cheese grater or chop into small cubes. Working quickly toss the butter into the dry ingredients using a pastry cutter or two knives until the mixture looks clumpy and coarse like crumbs. This step creates the flaky texture by leaving bits of cold butter intact.

Add Cheese And Chives:

Mix the shredded cheddar and chopped chives into the crumbly flour-butter mixture so they are evenly spread. This step ensures every bite has a hit of cheese and fresh onion flavor.

Combine With Buttermilk:

Pour in the buttermilk and gently fold using a spatula until the dough just comes together. Avoid over mixing or kneading to prevent tough scones. The dough will be slightly sticky which is perfect.

Shape And Cut:

Lightly flour a clean surface and turn out the dough. Knead briefly just to bring it into a ball then pat or roll into a circle about 1½ inches thick. Cut the circle into 8 wedges by halving then halving each half 4 times or more for smaller scones.

Prep For Baking:

Place the wedges on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush the tops lightly with buttermilk to encourage golden color while baking.

Bake To Perfection:

Bake in a preheated oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 to 22 minutes until the tops are golden and a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Transfer to a wire rack to cool slightly before serving.

I love how the sharp cheddar melts beautifully creating pockets of gooey cheese while the fresh chives brighten every bite. These scones remind me of weekend mornings at my grandmother’s where we’d nibble them alongside fresh coffee and laughter.

Storage Tips

Store fully cooled scones in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days to keep their texture fresh. For longer storage wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or foil and freeze for up to one month. To reheat gently warm in an oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 minutes to restore crispness.

Ingredient Swaps

Use smoked cheddar or a spicy pepper jack cheese for a different flavor profile Fresh parsley or green onions can replace chives if preferred Plain yogurt or sour cream can substitute buttermilk in a pinch for a similar tang and moisture

Serving Ideas

Serve warm with butter for a classic touch Pair with a hearty soup like tomato basil or roasted vegetable for a filling meal Add scrambled eggs or smoked salmon on the side for brunch elegance

These scones bring savory comfort with ease making them a wonderful addition to any brunch or snack time.

Frequently Asked Recipe Questions

→ What type of cheese works best for these scones?

Sharp cheddar cheese offers a bold flavor and melts well to create a rich, savory profile in the scones.

→ Can I substitute buttermilk in this dough?

Yes, a mixture of milk and a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice works well as a buttermilk substitute to maintain tenderness.

→ Why is the butter grated before mixing?

Grating cold butter helps distribute it evenly into the flour creating a flaky texture in the baked scones.

→ How do I avoid dense scones?

Mix the dough just until combined and handle it gently; overworking develops gluten, resulting in a denser texture.

→ Can I freeze the dough or baked scones?

Yes, unbaked dough can be frozen wrapped tightly, or fully baked scones can be frozen and reheated without much loss of texture.