Cherry Scones Recipe – Buttery, Flaky, and Bursting with Cherries!
There’s nothing quite like the comfort of a warm, buttery scone fresh from the oven—especially when it’s packed with sweet-tart cherries and topped with a delicate sugar crust. These Cherry Scones are the perfect balance of rich and fruity, with crisp golden edges and soft, tender centers.
Whether you’re serving them for breakfast, brunch, afternoon tea, or just a cozy weekend treat, this recipe is simple to make and loaded with fresh flavor. And the best part? It uses everyday ingredients and can be made with fresh, frozen, or even dried cherries. 🍒🧈
Ingredients
- For the Scones:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup cold unsalted butter cubed
- ¾ cup heavy cream plus extra for brushing
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup cherries pitted and chopped (fresh, frozen, or dried)
- Optional for Topping:
- Coarse sugar for sprinkling
- Simple glaze powdered sugar + milk, if desired
Instructions
Step 1: Prep Your Oven
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
Step 3: Cut in the Butter
- Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture.
- Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to mix until it resembles coarse crumbs.
Step 4: Add Wet Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the cream, egg, and vanilla.
- Pour into the dry mixture and stir just until combined (do not overmix).
Step 5: Fold in the Cherries
- Gently fold in the chopped cherries.
- Tip: If using frozen cherries, toss them in a little flour before adding to prevent excess moisture.
Step 6: Shape the Dough
- Turn dough onto a floured surface. Gently pat it into a 1-inch thick circle.
- Cut into 8 wedges and transfer to the baking sheet.
Step 7: Brush & Bake
- Brush the tops with a little heavy cream.
- Sprinkle with coarse sugar if desired.
- Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until golden brown.
Step 8: Cool & Glaze (Optional)
- Cool on a wire rack for 10–15 minutes.
- Drizzle with a simple glaze if you like them extra sweet.
Notes
🍒 Variations
Dried Cherry Scones: Use dried cherries instead of fresh, and soak in warm water or orange juice for 10 minutes to plump them. Chocolate Cherry: Add ½ cup mini chocolate chips for a decadent twist. Almond Cherry: Add ½ tsp almond extract and sprinkle sliced almonds on top. Lemon Cherry: Zest one lemon into the dough and add a lemon glaze. Vegan Version: Use plant-based butter and non-dairy milk with a flax egg substitute. 🧊 Storage & Reheating
Room Temp: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Refrigerator: Up to 5 days. Freezer: Freeze scones (baked or unbaked) for up to 2 months. To Reheat: Warm in oven at 325°F for 8–10 minutes or microwave for 15 seconds. ❓ 10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I use frozen cherries?
Yes! No need to thaw—just toss in a little flour before folding them in. 2. Can I use milk instead of cream?
Yes, but heavy cream makes the scones richer and more tender. 3. How do I keep scones from being dry?
Don’t overmix the dough and use cold butter and cream to retain moisture. 4. What flour is best?
All-purpose flour is perfect. For a more tender crumb, you can try pastry flour. 5. Can I freeze the dough?
Absolutely. Freeze the cut wedges and bake straight from the freezer (add 2–3 minutes to bake time). 6. What cherries are best?
Sweet varieties like Bing or Rainier work great. Tart cherries are also delicious for contrast. 7. Can I make them gluten-free?
Yes! Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend designed for baking. 8. Why chill the dough before baking?
Chilling firms the butter and prevents spreading—great for flakiness. 9. Can I make mini scones?
Of course! Cut the dough into 16 smaller wedges and reduce bake time to 12–15 minutes. 10. Should scones be soft or crumbly?
They should be tender inside, with a slightly crisp, golden exterior. 🏁 Conclusion
These Cherry Scones are a dreamy mix of flaky, buttery goodness and juicy fruit flavor—perfect for mornings, brunch tables, or even a mid-afternoon treat. 🍒 Whether you enjoy them plain, glazed, or paired with a warm drink, they’re a simple pleasure worth baking again and again. Classic comfort with a cherry twist—what more could you want? 🥐✨
Dried Cherry Scones: Use dried cherries instead of fresh, and soak in warm water or orange juice for 10 minutes to plump them. Chocolate Cherry: Add ½ cup mini chocolate chips for a decadent twist. Almond Cherry: Add ½ tsp almond extract and sprinkle sliced almonds on top. Lemon Cherry: Zest one lemon into the dough and add a lemon glaze. Vegan Version: Use plant-based butter and non-dairy milk with a flax egg substitute. 🧊 Storage & Reheating
Room Temp: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Refrigerator: Up to 5 days. Freezer: Freeze scones (baked or unbaked) for up to 2 months. To Reheat: Warm in oven at 325°F for 8–10 minutes or microwave for 15 seconds. ❓ 10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I use frozen cherries?
Yes! No need to thaw—just toss in a little flour before folding them in. 2. Can I use milk instead of cream?
Yes, but heavy cream makes the scones richer and more tender. 3. How do I keep scones from being dry?
Don’t overmix the dough and use cold butter and cream to retain moisture. 4. What flour is best?
All-purpose flour is perfect. For a more tender crumb, you can try pastry flour. 5. Can I freeze the dough?
Absolutely. Freeze the cut wedges and bake straight from the freezer (add 2–3 minutes to bake time). 6. What cherries are best?
Sweet varieties like Bing or Rainier work great. Tart cherries are also delicious for contrast. 7. Can I make them gluten-free?
Yes! Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend designed for baking. 8. Why chill the dough before baking?
Chilling firms the butter and prevents spreading—great for flakiness. 9. Can I make mini scones?
Of course! Cut the dough into 16 smaller wedges and reduce bake time to 12–15 minutes. 10. Should scones be soft or crumbly?
They should be tender inside, with a slightly crisp, golden exterior. 🏁 Conclusion
These Cherry Scones are a dreamy mix of flaky, buttery goodness and juicy fruit flavor—perfect for mornings, brunch tables, or even a mid-afternoon treat. 🍒 Whether you enjoy them plain, glazed, or paired with a warm drink, they’re a simple pleasure worth baking again and again. Classic comfort with a cherry twist—what more could you want? 🥐✨