Apple Cheddar Scones
My sister is always telling me she can’t do the Tuesdays with Dorie recipes at home. Too many pans, too many steps, weird ingredients.
Jennifer, this one is for you: Apple Cheddar Scones.
You probably have most of the ingredients right now. And if you don’t, this is a great recipe for substitutions. Not feeling the apples? Replace the half-cup of apple juice with water and the half-cup of dried apples with something else (e.g. smoked bacon, country ham, sausage, dried blueberries, dried cranberries). Or trade the cheese for toasted walnuts or pecans.
Seriously, you don’t even need a rolling pin. Stir the ingredients together, sprinkle a little flour on the counter, and pat the dough into a circle or rectangle, 1/2-inch thick. Then cut it into 12 slices. If you’ve patted it into a circle, cut it pizza-style. If you’ve done a rectangle, cut it into 12 smaller rectangles or grab a glass and cut it biscuit-style. Then place the slices on a baking sheet, and bake them for about 15 minutes.
If you don’t want 12 scones, divide the recipe in half.
The apple cheddar scones are great plain or with butter. But if you decide to go with fruit and nuts instead, try making a glaze with powdered sugar, milk (or cream), and a little vanilla. And invite me over.
Apple Cheddar Scones
Adapted from Dorie Greenspan’s “Baking: From My Home to Yours”
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup cold buttermilk
- 1/4 cup cold apple cider or unsweetened apple juice
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup yellow cornmeal, preferably stone-ground
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 stick (8 tablespoons) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
- 3/4 cup grated cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup finely diced dried apples
1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment or a silicone mat.
2. In a small bowl, stir the egg, buttermilk and apple cider together
3. In a large bowl, whisk the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt together. Drop in the butter and, using your fingers, toss to coat it with flour. Working with your fingertips or a pastry blender, cut and rub the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture is pebbly.
4. Pour the liquid ingredients over the dry ingredients, and stir with a fork just until the dough, which will be very wet and sticky, comes together. If there are still some dry ingredients in the bottom of the bowl, stir them in, but try not to overdo the mixing.
5. Stir in the grated cheese and dried apple.
6. Still in the bowl, gently knead the dough by hand, or turn it with a rubber spatula 8 to 10 times. Then, because the dough is very sticky, turn it out onto a lightly floured work surface, pat it into a rectangle about 1/2 inch thick and, using a dough scraper or a chef’s knife, cut it into 12 roughly equal pieces; place on the baking sheet. Alternatively, you can just spoon out 12 equal mounds onto the baking sheet. (At this point, the scones can be frozen on the backing sheet, then wrapped airtight. Don’t defrost before baking – just add about 2 minutes to the baking time.)
7. Bake the scones for 20 to 22 minutes, or until their tops are golden and firmish. Transfer them to a rack and cool for 10 minutes before serving, or wait for the scones to cool to room temperature.
These look soooo yummy. Love the triangle shape!
they came out so pretty! love your photos, and great substitution ideas :)
Your scones look fabulous! Gorgeous pics. I’m like your sister in that respect. I have re-thought my TWD membership on many occasions;)
Tell her its like loosing your virginity…it only hurts the first time and then its fan-effing-tastic;)
yum! Your scones look very tasty! Great job!
As usual, beautiful photos, and you made me laugh!
I agree – it’s wonderful to have a recipe with so much versatility that’s so easy to mix up and bake. Your scones are beautifully flaky!
Perfect Wedges – perfect layers…great photos!
I love the shape of your scones. They look delicious!
Sometimes you just have lead them by the nose…you did a great job of it. Great looking scones, am sure that alone sold her on the whole deal.
This *is* the ultimate recipe for the “I don’t have the tools to bake” crowd, isn’t it? Got hands? Got a bowl? Got an oven and a baking sheet or roasting pan? You can make scones…
Yours are gorgeous… great job!
yum they look great! I would love one for my morning tea right now!
they look great! hopefully these can make your sister come around :P
Love the triangle shapes and your scones look delicious!
perfect looking scones! I like where you’re going using meat in lieu of fruit idea…my hubby used the scone to make a sandwich with egg and bacon…i’m scared to admit it, but it was quite delicious!
They look great!
Your scones look really great. Pictures are so clear and pretty!
Until last week I wouldn’t have thought of a triangle shape ;-), and tell your sister they are really easy to make.
Yours look great
Great photos! These scones were great, I like your substitution ideas (the bacon in particular :).
Yeah, Rebecca’s sister, you’d better just go ahead and make them. Really.
I STILL NEED A DAMN OVEN. they do look good. And you said the magical word… BACON.
Wow, your photographs are gorgeous! The texture looks absolutely perfect.
Oh my, I didn’t even think about putting meat in them. DH will love them even more that way! Thanks!
Yep, I agree, very simple, which was nice for a change. A bowl, fork, and spatula was all I used, come to think of it.
Anyway, wow, those are some beautiful scones! Picture perfect!
Those look fabulous! I’m definitely going with some form of smoked meat next time.
Wow, your variations sound SO good and I love the photos! Yum!
I’ve never tried apples and cheese together even though I’ve seen the combo a lot. I love scones, though, and I may have to break down and try this recipe!
I agree, the scones can be made with just about anything. A great basic recipe. Love yours.
Your scones look amazing! They baked up so nice and crisp on the outside. You can tell that they’re definitely flaky on the inside too.
Your scones look perfect. Thanks for all the suggestions for future scone making.
They look so flaky and delicious! I agree that these are very versatile, that’s always a good thing!
thanks for you comment on my braid; “on to next damn month” — that killed me!
also, those buttermilk cookies from a couple posts ago? I’m in love with them. have made them 3 – 4 times in the past 2 months. seriously.
and finally, “ezra pound cake” makes me so happy. brilliant.
I loved the ease of this recipe. I’m also trying to convince my reluctant sisters to join up! Your scones look wonderful.
I love all your ideas of working with this recipe! It’s so versatile. Your scones look perfect!
Shari@Whisk: a food blog
Absolutely gorgeous!
Your scones are perfect and your pictures are beautiful! I have a sister that sounds so like yours. Although, she has no trouble coming over and eating everything that I make =D.
The scones look great! and the idea of fruits and nuts instead of cheddar and apples sounds good. Specially with that icing on top *drooling*
Thanks for your comment in my blog!*
Love the new look, lady! And your scones look great, too!