Description
Delightful holiday cheese scones with cranberry and sage blend festive flavors in a perfect breakfast treat. Warm, flaky pastries bring comfort and seasonal cheer when served alongside morning coffee or afternoon tea.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 125 grams (4½ ounces) self-raising flour
- 50 grams (1¾ ounces) Parmesan cheese, finely grated
- 150 grams (5½ ounces) Stilton cheese, grated
Butter and Seasonings:
- 25 grams (1 ounce) butter, cubed and softened
- 1 teaspoon mustard powder
- 1 tablespoon sage, finely chopped
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Additional Ingredients:
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 free-range egg, beaten
- 1 extra beaten egg for glazing
- 1 jar cranberry sauce
- 70 small fresh flatleaf parsley leaves
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C Fan/Gas 6 and line a baking tray with parchment paper for optimal preparation.
- Create a crumbly base by gently rubbing butter into the flour mixture using fingertips until it resembles fine breadcrumbs.
- Incorporate Parmesan, sage, mustard powder, salt, and pepper into the flour mixture, ensuring even distribution of seasonings.
- Whisk milk and egg together in a separate bowl, then carefully fold into the dry ingredients to form a cohesive, soft dough.
- Gently knead the dough on a lightly floured surface, taking care not to overwork the mixture.
- Roll out the dough to approximately 1–1.5cm thickness, using a round cutter to shape uniform scones.
- Carefully transfer cut scones to the prepared baking tray, brushing the tops with beaten egg for a golden finish.
- Bake for 8 minutes until the scones are pale golden and have risen slightly, then cool on a wire rack.
- Slice each scone in half widthways and return to the baking tray, topping with grated Stilton.
- Return to the oven for 2-3 minutes to allow the cheese to melt slightly and become creamy.
- Garnish each scone half with a small dollop of cranberry sauce and a fresh parsley leaf.
- Serve warm, presenting these delightful holiday appetizers to your guests with a flourish of festive flavors.
Notes
- Perfectly sized mini scones work best for elegant holiday appetizers, creating bite-sized delights that impress guests.
- Sage and Parmesan combine to deliver a rich, savory flavor profile that elevates these traditional cheese scones.
- Cold butter is crucial for achieving the classic flaky, tender texture that makes these scones melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
- Prepare ingredients ahead of time to streamline the baking process and reduce holiday kitchen stress.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties like Gruyère or sharp cheddar to customize the recipe to your taste preferences.
- Fresh herbs and homemade cranberry sauce can transform these scones from good to extraordinary, adding vibrant holiday cheer.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 11 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 98
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 25mg