Mary Berry’s Cheese Scones are a traditional British baked treat made from self-raising flour, butter, and cheese, bound together with milk and a touch of egg. They’re baked until golden brown and soft inside, offering a buttery flavour and melt-in-your-mouth texture. These scones are savoury, delicious on their own, and even better with a light spread of butter or chutney.
Self-raising flour – 225g
Baking powder – 1 tsp
Butter (cold, diced) – 50g
Salt – ¼ tsp
Cayenne pepper or mustard powder – pinch (optional, for extra flavour)
Mature cheddar cheese (grated) – 100g + extra for topping
Egg – 1 large
Milk – 100ml (plus extra for brushing)
Preheat your oven to 220°C (200°C fan) / 425°F. Line a baking tray with parchment paper or lightly grease it with butter.
In a large mixing bowl, combine self-raising flour, baking powder, salt, and a pinch of cayenne pepper or mustard powder. Stir well to evenly distribute.
Add cold diced butter to the dry mixture. Using your fingertips, rub it in until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.
Stir in grated cheddar cheese, keeping a little aside for topping later. Mix lightly to coat the cheese evenly through the flour.
In a small bowl, whisk the egg and milk together. Gradually pour into the flour mixture, mixing gently until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms. Do not overmix.
Lightly flour your surface and turn out the dough. Roll or pat it to about 2cm thick. Cut out rounds using a 5cm cutter, re-rolling scraps gently as needed.
Place the scones on the prepared tray. Brush the tops with a little milk and sprinkle with the reserved cheese. Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until risen and golden brown.
Transfer to a wire rack to cool slightly. Serve warm with butter, chutney, or even a slice of ham for a savoury snack.
Find it online: https://maryberrycooks.co.uk/mary-berry-cheese-scones/