Lucy M. These scones are light, cheesy, and have a gentle kick of spice—perfect for any time of day.
When I was visiting the English countryside, I stopped at a little café that served the most incredible Mary Berry cheese scones. Warm, fluffy, and packed with cheesy goodness, they instantly became my favorite treat. Since then, I’ve loved recreating that simple, comforting flavor at home. This recipe is perfect if you want to bring a bit of that countryside charm to your kitchen—easy to make and wonderfully satisfying every time.
Ingredients
- 1¾ cups (225g) all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 extra-large egg
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 3½ teaspoons baking powder
- 2 tablespoons (30g) salted butter, softened
- 1⅓ cups (150g) sharp Cheddar cheese, grated
- A splash of milk (about 2–3 tablespoons)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 220°C (425°F). Line a baking tray with parchment paper or grease it lightly.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, mustard powder, and cayenne pepper. Stir them well so everything mixes evenly.
- Add the softened butter to the dry ingredients. Using your fingers, rub the butter into the flour mixture until it looks like fine breadcrumbs.
- Mix in most of the grated cheese, saving some to sprinkle on top later.
- In a small bowl, beat the egg with just enough milk to make about half a cup of liquid.
- Pour the egg and milk mixture into the flour mixture. Stir gently with a spoon until the dough starts to come together. If it feels too dry, add a little more milk, but don’t overdo it.
- Dust your work surface with a little flour, then roll out the dough to about 2cm thick.
- Use a round cutter or a glass to cut out your scones. Place them on the baking tray with a little space between each one.
- Brush the tops with a bit of milk and sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the scones have puffed up and turned a lovely golden color.
- Remove from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving warm.
If you enjoy Mary Berry cheese scones, you might also like our hearty rock cakes recipe—both classic treats with rich flavors.
Mary Berry Cheese Scones
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat your oven to 220°C (425°F). Line a baking tray with parchment paper or grease it lightly.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, mustard powder, and cayenne pepper. Stir them well so everything mixes evenly.
- Add the softened butter to the dry ingredients. Using your fingers, rub the butter into the flour mixture until it looks like fine breadcrumbs.
- Mix in most of the grated cheese, saving some to sprinkle on top later.
- In a small bowl, beat the egg with just enough milk to make about half a cup of liquid.
- Pour the egg and milk mixture into the flour mixture. Stir gently with a spoon until the dough starts to come together. If it feels too dry, add a little more milk, but don’t overdo it.
- Dust your work surface with a little flour, then roll out the dough to about 2cm thick.
- Use a round cutter or a glass to cut out your scones. Place them on the baking tray with a little space between each one.
- Brush the tops with a bit of milk and sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the scones have puffed up and turned a lovely golden color.
- Remove from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving warm.
Notes
Choosing the Right Cheese for Perfect Scones
Picking the right cheese makes a huge difference when baking cheese scones. Sharp Cheddar is a classic choice because it melts beautifully and adds a rich, tangy flavor that complements the buttery dough. If you want something milder, you can try a good-quality mild Cheddar or even Red Leicester for a slightly sweeter taste and vibrant color. For a bit of extra creaminess, mixing in some mozzarella or a crumbly cheese like Lancashire can add a nice texture contrast. Avoid very soft cheeses like Brie or cream cheese—they tend to make the dough too wet and can change the texture. Ultimately, using a cheese you enjoy eating on its own will help your scones taste even better. Grating your cheese fresh rather than using pre-shredded cheese also helps it melt evenly and improves the overall flavor.Nutritional Value
- Servings: Makes 8 scones
- Calories per scone: Around 210 calories
- Fat: 11g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Protein: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
Choosing the Right Cheese for Perfect Scones
Picking the right cheese makes a huge difference when baking cheese scones. Sharp Cheddar is a classic choice because it melts beautifully and adds a rich, tangy flavor that complements the buttery dough. If you want something milder, you can try a good-quality mild Cheddar or even Red Leicester for a slightly sweeter taste and vibrant color. For a bit of extra creaminess, mixing in some mozzarella or a crumbly cheese like Lancashire can add a nice texture contrast. Avoid very soft cheeses like Brie or cream cheese—they tend to make the dough too wet and can change the texture. Ultimately, using a cheese you enjoy eating on its own will help your scones taste even better. Grating your cheese fresh rather than using pre-shredded cheese also helps it melt evenly and improves the overall flavor.
Conclusion
These cheese scones never fail to bring a smile to my face. They’re quick to make and taste like a treat straight from a cozy bakery. Whether you have them for breakfast, lunch, or a snack, they’re sure to be a hit. Try this recipe and enjoy the warm, cheesy goodness with a cup of tea or soup!
