Savory Scallion & Cheese Scones
Savory Scallion & Cheese Scones
Make Delicious Scallion Cheese Scones: A Perfect Fall Treat for Your Coffee Break
The sweltering heat of summer has finally given way to a gentle autumn breeze, reminding us that the season of warm coffee and comforting bakes has arrived. I’d taken a break from baking during the hot summer months due to the heat from the oven, but with the arrival of fall, I felt inspired to create these Scallion Cheese Scones, which pair wonderfully with coffee. The subtle aroma of scallions and the savory notes of cheese baked into a scone offer a delightful small happiness in everyday life. Let’s bake them together!
Key Ingredients- 300g Cake flour
- 6g Baking powder
- 50g Unsalted butter, cold
- 60g Sugar
- 2g Salt
- 50ml Cold milk
- 1 Egg
- 3 slices Cheddar cheese
- 1 Scallion (green onions), use both white and green parts
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the scallions, which will add a wonderful aroma and flavor. Wash the scallions thoroughly, including the white and green parts, and finely chop them. Chopping them into bite-sized pieces, rather than mincing them too finely, will enhance the texture.
Step 2
Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat (no oil needed) and add the chopped scallions. Sauté for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the moisture has evaporated. This step concentrates the natural sweetness and aroma of the scallions and prevents the scone dough from becoming too wet.
Step 3
Transfer the sautéed scallions to a paper towel-lined plate and let them cool completely. Ensuring all excess moisture is removed is crucial for achieving a crisp scone texture.
Step 4
In a large bowl, sift together the 300g of cake flour and 6g of baking powder at least twice. Sifting aerates the flour and baking powder, ensuring they are evenly distributed, which leads to a lighter and more tender scone.
Step 5
Add the 50g of cold, cubed unsalted butter to the sifted dry ingredients. Using your fingertips, a pastry blender, or a food processor, cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs, with some pieces the size of small peas. It’s important to keep the butter cold to create flaky layers.
Step 6
Add the 60g of sugar and 2g of salt to the mixture. Gently stir with a spatula to combine the ingredients, but avoid overmixing at this stage.
Step 7
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the 50ml of cold milk and 1 egg to create an egg wash. Pour this wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Using a spatula, gently fold the ingredients together until just combined and no dry flour streaks remain. Be careful not to overmix, as this develops gluten and can make the scones tough.
Step 8
Add the cooled sautéed scallions and the 3 slices of cheddar cheese, roughly chopped, to the dough. Chopping the cheese into larger pieces will provide a more satisfying cheesy bite.
Step 9
Using the spatula, gently combine the ingredients. Once the dough starts to come together, use your hands to lightly press and gather it into a cohesive ball. Avoid kneading.
Step 10
Lightly flour your work surface and turn out the dough. Gently pat it into a rectangle about 2cm (approximately 0.8 inches) thick using your hands or a lightly floured rolling pin. Divide the dough into three equal portions.
Step 11
Stack the three portions of dough on top of each other, then gently roll or pat them out again to about 2cm thickness. Repeat this folding and rolling process 1-2 more times. This technique helps create flaky layers in the scones.
Step 12
Wrap the shaped dough tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. This chilling period allows the gluten to relax and the butter to firm up, which is essential for achieving a good rise and flaky texture.
Step 13
Preheat your oven according to the recipe’s baking temperature. Remove the chilled dough from the refrigerator. Cut the dough into your desired scone shapes – triangles, squares, or rounds are all great options. Aim for a thickness of about 2-3cm (0.8-1.2 inches).
Step 14
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the cut scones onto the prepared sheet. Brush the tops of the scones with an egg wash (an egg yolk mixed with a tablespoon of water) or milk. This will give them a beautiful golden-brown color when baked.
Step 15
Bake in the preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for approximately 25 minutes, or until the scones are golden brown and cooked through. Baking times can vary depending on your oven, so keep an eye on them. If they start to brown too quickly, you can loosely tent them with foil.
Step 16
Once baked, transfer the scallion cheese scones to a wire rack to cool completely. Allowing them to cool ensures they maintain their texture.
Step 17
Enjoy your homemade Scallion Cheese Scones! The savory cheese and aromatic scallions create a delightful flavor combination that’s perfect for a cozy day, especially with a cup of coffee or tea. Truly a ‘small but sure happiness’!
