Bacon Cheddar Cheese Scones

Last week, I confessed that I'm a new convert to scones. In my excitement, I took it one step further—savory scones!

In The Diva Serves High Tea, a gentleman takes tea every day at the local tea room because "he's particular fond of the bacon cheddar scones." I have to admit, I'm particular fond of them myself.

They can be served at tea as a savory before the sweets. I have also served them at brunch. So far, everyone has liked them. They're a nice switch from bread. You can serve them plain or with Maple Bourbon Butter if you want to kick things up a notch.

I especially love that they can be frozen and baked fresh when you need them. The pieces are large, so don't be afraid to cut them in half if you have a crowd. I've been pulling them out as needed and baking just a couple when we have a yen for them.

By the way, in the photo above, the dark scones are pumpkin. That recipe will be coming in the fall. The lighter ones on the left are bacon cheddar.

Bacon Cheddar Cheese Scones

2 cups flour + extra for kneading

1 tablespoon baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter

1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1 egg

½ cup heavy cream

1 tablespoon mustard

1 cup (about 5 slices) crumbled cooked bacon


Preheat the oven to 400. Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Place the pastry blade into a food processor and add the flour, baking powder, and salt. Pulse twice. Cut the butter into cubes. Add to the flour, along with the cheese, and pulse until combined and the butter is barely visible anymore.

In a large bowl, whisk together the egg, cream, and mustard. Turn out the flour mixture on top of it and mix gently with a large serving spoon two or three times. Add the bacon and mix until large clumps begin to take shape.

Sprinkle flour on a cutting board and dust your hands with flour. Turn the dough onto the cutting board and knead 8-10 times, adding just a sprinkle of flour if necessary.

Pat the dough into a 9-inch cake pan. Turn it out onto the parchment paper and cut the round into 8 equal pieces with a very sharp knife. It’s best to press the knife into the dough instead of dragging it through the dough. Slide a knife or thin spatula under each slice and pull away from the center slightly to separate them. (They can be frozen at this point if you don't need them all.) Bake 20-22 minutes.

 Maple Bourbon Butter

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter

1 teaspoon maple syrup

1 teaspoon bourbon (plain, not flavored)

Bring the butter to room temperature so it is soft. Place the butter, maple syrup, and bourbons in a mini food processor and combine. Place in a mold or shape by hand and refrigerate. (Note: this can also be done in a bowl with a fork, but I find I get better results with a food processor.)

Whisk together egg, cream, and mustard.

Dust work surface with flour to knead.

Don't over-knead!

Pressing it into a cake pan makes it easy to shape!

At this point, you can freeze any you don't need immediately.

It's almost here! I have one copy to give away today. 

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