Ingredients:
- 2 1/4 cups (280g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup (1 stick/115g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1 cup (100g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh chives
- 1 large egg
- 3/4 cup (180ml) heavy cream (or 1/2 cup creme fraiche + 1/4 cup buttermilk/whole milk)
- Extra milk or cream for brushing
- Extra Parmesan for sprinkling (optional)
Instructions
- Prep: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and pepper.
- Cut in butter: Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Use a pastry cutter, two forks, or your fingertips to work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces remaining.
- Add cheese and chives: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and chopped chives.
- Whisk wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg and heavy cream (or creme fraiche and milk).
- Form the dough: Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Pour in the wet ingredients and mix gently with a fork until a slightly sticky dough forms. Be careful not to overmix.
- Shape and cut: On a lightly floured surface, pat or gently roll the dough into a circle about 3/4-inch to 1-inch thick. Use a 2-inch round cookie cutter to cut out the scones. Re-roll the scraps as needed.
- Brush and bake: Place the scones on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the tops with milk or cream and sprinkle with extra Parmesan, if desired. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown and risen.
- Cool and serve: Let the scones cool slightly on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack to cool further. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Tips:
- Cold ingredients are key! Keep butter and cream cold for the flakiest scones.
- Don’t overwork the dough. Be gentle to keep them light and tender.
- Customize with herbs: Experiment with other fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or dill for flavor variations.
- Freeze for later: Unbaked scones freeze well. Freeze on a baking sheet, then store in an airtight container for baking later.
Enjoy your delicious, savory Chive and Parmesan Scones!
