Bruces Prize Winning Cheese Scones Recipes

THE BEST SCONES

Steps:

• Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Whisk the cream, egg and milk powder in a liquid measuring cup. Pulse the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder and salt in a food processor until combined. Add the butter and pulse only until pea-size pieces remain. Transfer to a large bowl and make a well in the center. Pour the wet ingredients into the well and mix with a fork, incorporating the dry ingredients a little at a time until a shaggy dough forms (it's okay if the dough looks a little dry, just don't overwork it). Lightly knead the dough in the bowl until it just comes together.
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and pat into a 1-inch-thick rectangle (about 9 by 7 inches). Cut in half lengthwise, then cut in half again crosswise; you should have 4 equal rectangles. Cut each piece in half from corner to corner making 8 triangular wedges. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet and freeze for 10 minutes.
• Brush the tops with cream and sprinkle with demerara sugar. Bake the scones until golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes, and then transfer to a wire rack to cool for 15 more minutes. Serve warm with softened butter and jam.

SCOTTISH CHEDDAR CHEESE AND SPRING ONION TEA-TIME SCONES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to Gas Mark 6, 400F or 200C Grease or butter a large baking/cookie tray.
• Sift flour and mustard powder, or cayenne pepper, into a bowl. Rub in the butter until it resembles fine breadcrumbs.
• Add just over three-quarters of the cheese and the chopped spring onion, and mix well. Stir in the eggs and yogurt; I have suggested between 2 and 4 tablespoons of yoghut, add it a tablespoon at a time to get the right consistency. The dough will be very soft. Knead very lightly on a WELL floured surface.
• Pat out dough to about 2.5cm (1in) deep and cut out about 5 scones. Knead the trimmings and pat out, then cut out another 2-3 scones. Put the scones on the baking sheet and sprinkle with the rest of the cheese, and more cayenne, if you like.
• Bake for 20 - 25 minutes until golden brown and risen. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 15 to 30 minutes.
• Best served warm with butter and a sliver of cheese, or spread with cream cheese and ham.
• Tip: Use a larger cutter to make bigger scones, then serve them with spinach and a poached egg on top. Bake them for slightly longer.
• To freeze: cool and pack in polybag. Seal, label and freeze. Use within 2 months. Thaw at room temperature. Warm through in the oven for serving.

GOLDEN CHEDDAR CHEESE SCONES

Steps:

• Combine the first 5 ingredients and then fold in the shredded cheese.
• In a small bowl, combine the eggs, sour cream, oil and milk.
• Add the wet ingredients to the dry and stir just until moistened.
• On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough 10 to 12 times and then pat it out to a 3/4 inch thickness.
• Cut dough with a 3" round cutter, or simply cut into 3" squares.
• Bake in a preheated 400 degree oven for 15 minutes.

CHEDDAR CHEESE SCONES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cayenne pepper and salt.
• Using a pastry blender or two knives, cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
• Stir in the cheese.
• Add the buttermilk all at once, stirring with a fork to make a soft, sticky dough.
• With lightly floured hands, press the dough into a ball.
• On a lightly floured surface, knead gently 10 times.
• Pat out the dough into a 3/4-inch thick round.
• Using a 2-1/2-inch floured cutter, cut out rounds.
• Place on a ungreased baking sheet.
• Gather up the scraps and repat dough once; cut out more rounds.
• Brush the tops of the scones with egg.
• Bake in a 425 degree F oven for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden.

EASY CHEESE SCONES - IN A HURRY.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to very hot- 225 degrees C.
• Mix flour, cheese, milk and salt together until combined.
• The mixture is fairly moist and sticky.
• Put about a rounded tablespoon of mixture onto a greased tray.
• Makes 10- 12 scones approx.
• Sprinkle on the paprika if you wish.
• Bake for about 15 minutes.
• I turn the tray round half way through cooking for an even result.
• Best served warm- split and serve with butter (optional).