Cheddar cheese and chive scones combine the rich, savory flavour of sharp cheddar with the subtle onion-like taste of fresh chives. These buttery and melt-in-the-mouth scones are perfect anytime for breakfast or as a side dish for soups and salads. Best served fresh and warm, this easy scones recipe is perfect for children and the whole family. 

Ingredients

Rye or spelt flour

Gives a slightly nutty flavour and more texture to the scone. You can just you use 100% self raising flour if you prefer. 

Self raising flour

I used white self raising flour to work in combination with the spelt flour. 

Butter

Use unsalted butter to avoid giving extra salt to kids. Plant based butters will work well too. 

Milk

I used semi skimmed cows milk but you can use whichever you like. 

Chives

Fresh chives give the most mild onion-like flavour and bright green colour. 

Cheddar cheese

Use a mature or extra mature cheddar to get a stronger cheese taste. 

Baking powder

Standard baking powder helps the scones to rise.

How to make cheese chive scones

Step 1. Preheat the oven to 200c. Unroll some baking parchment to fit a baking tray and grease with a little oil or butter. 

Step 2. Weigh the flours and baking powder into a bowl along with the cold unsalted butter. Chop the butter into smaller pieces with a knife and rub gently into the flour to create a breadcrumb like texture.

Step 3. Chop or tear the chives finely and grate the cheese

Step 4. Take the finely chopped chives and most of the grated cheese and add to the flour mix.

Step 5. Measure the milk and add gradually to the mix until all the mixture comes together. Remember not to overmix.

Step 6. Lightly press the dough down to form a flattened ball shape about the same height as the pastry cutter. Cut out around 8 scones or more if making smaller scones.

Step 7. Get your prepared baking sheet and space the scones well apart to give them space to rise. 

Step 8. Sprinkle with the remaining grated cheese and bake for about 15 minutes until golden brown. 

Step 9. Remove from the oven and leave to cool on the tray or serve warm. 

Substitutions and variations

There are loads of variations to this recipe. If you don’t like chives then there are so many other options that will work well with cheese. Some suggestions include:

• Sundried tomatoes
• Olives
• Red onion
• Pesto
• Nuts like walnuts, if you are giving them to young children then they need to be chopped very small for under 5 years. 
• Vegetables such as peas or sweetcorn. 
• Herbs such as rosemary or parsley

If you prefer other cheese to cheddar, then use another strong cheese would work well including:

• Blue cheese
• Gruyere
• Red leicester
• Parmesan
• Gouda

How to serve to toddler

These chive and cheese scones make perfect finger foods, as they can be made smaller using a little cutter. They are also easy to make so you can get young children in the kitchen exploring new flavours.

Simply serve with some raw vegetables like chopped cucumber and carrot sticks. They make some yoghurt or hummus to dip the scones in too. 

Top tips

• Being light with your hands and not overworking the dough is key. Mix it until it comes together but there is no need to knead it, just press it down lightly once it has come together to form a dough. 

• Use cold butter to create little pockets of butter flavour when it melts making it more flaky and delicious. 

• Preheat the baking tray to get it really hot and ensure a nice crisp bottom to the scones. 

FAQ

What is the secret to making good scones?

The two key secrets are firstly being light working the dough, so only bring it together and lightly press it down. The other is having a very hot oven to ensure a quick rise. 

Why do some scones fail to rise?

Overworked scone dough will fail to rise. 

How do you know if a scone is cooked?

It should have risen somewhat, be golden in colour and have a hollow sounding bottom when tapped. 

Recipe for cheddar cheese and chive scones

Cheddar cheese and chive scones

salty cheese and onion scones, buttery and delicious

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Course Side Dish, Snack

Servings 6

Ingredients

  

• 225 grams self raising flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 8 tbsp milk semi skimmed
• 50 grams unsalted butter
• 2 tbsp chives
• 100 grams cheddar cheese

Instructions

 

• Preheat the oven to 200c and grease the trac
• Weigh the dry ingredients (flour and baking powder) into a bowl and rub in the butter
• Chop the chives finely and grate the cheese
• Add most of the cheese, chives and milk to the mix
• Bring together the mix to form a dough but don't over mix
• Press the dough down lightly and cut the scones out with a cutter, topping with the remaining cheese.
• Bake the scones for around 15 minutes until golden

Keyword cheddar cheese and chive scones

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