Savory Ham & Cheese Scones Recipe

I love exploring new twists in my kitchen. In these Quick And Easy Scones, I combine all-purpose flour, cold butter, and whole milk with diced ham, sharp cheddar, and fresh chives. A hint of garlic powder adds subtle intrigue while baking powder creates a perfect light texture for this savory treat.

I recently decided to try something a little different for breakfast and came up with these Savory Ham & Cheese Scones. They are light and flaky with just the perfect balance between a tender interior and crumbly edges that practically melt in your mouth.

I mixed 2 cups all-purpose flour with 1 tablespoon baking powder and a pinch of salt, then cut in 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter until the texture was just right. I then carefully folded in diced cooked ham and shredded sharp cheddar cheese along with a touch of garlic powder, some whole milk, and a beaten egg.

To finish it off, I sprinkled in chopped fresh chives for that extra pop of flavor. Once baked, these scones turned out to be a quick and easy treat packed with savory goodness.

This recipe is a great way to mix up your morning routine if you’re looking for something different in your breakfast repertoire.

Why I Like this Recipe

I really like these ham & cheese scones because they mix the savory ham and sharp cheddar in a way that makes every bite satisfyingly tasty. I also appreciate how easy the recipe is to follow even if sometimes things get a bit messy when you try to cut in the cold butter. The scones come out super flaky and soft with just the right crumbly edges that i think have a really great texture. And i gotta say, the hint of garlic and fresh chives gives the whole thing a unique flavor subtle enough not to overpower the other ingredients.

Ingredients

• All-purpose flour delivers carbohydrates for energy while creating the light, tender base of scones.
• Cold, cubed unsalted butter produces a flaky texture and enriches the recipe with delicious fat.
• Diced, cooked ham adds savory saltiness and protein, giving scones a hearty, satisfying bite.
• Shredded sharp cheddar cheese provides tangy flavor, creaminess, and extra protein with calcium benefits.
• Fresh chopped chives bring a mild onion taste, vibrant color, and extra vitamins to scones.
• Whole milk adds moisture and richness, binding ingredients into a soft, tender crumb.
• A large egg helps bind ingredients and contributes a touch of custardy flavor overall.

Ingredient Quantities

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
• 3/4 cup whole milk
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup diced cooked ham
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh chives

How to Make this

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F and lightly grease a baking sheet.

2. In a big bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, salt, and garlic powder.

3. Toss the cold, cubed butter into the bowl and use a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mix looks like coarse crumbs.

4. In a separate bowl whisk the whole milk with the egg.

5. Stir in the diced ham, shredded cheddar, and chopped chives into the milk and egg mixture.

6. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently stir until just combined; don’t overmix or your scones might get tough.

7. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and pat it into a round shape about 1 inch thick.

8. Cut the dough into triangles with a sharp knife or your favorite cutter.

9. Place the scones on the baking sheet and if you like, brush the tops with a little extra milk for a nice golden finish.

10. Bake for about 18 to 22 minutes until the scones are lightly golden and flaky. Enjoy!

Equipment Needed

1. Preheated oven and a baking sheet
2. Two mixing bowls (one large for the dry ingredients and one for the wet ingredients)
3. Measuring cups and spoons
4. Whisk for beating the egg and milk together
5. Pastry cutter or your fingers for cutting the butter
6. A wooden spoon or spatula for stirring the mixture
7. A sharp knife or cutter for slicing the dough into triangles
8. A lightly floured surface for patting out the dough

FAQ

Savory Ham & Cheese Scones Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• All-purpose flour: Instead of using regular flour you can swap it with whole wheat pastry flour for a nuttier taste that still gives light texture.
• Cold unsalted butter: If you’re in a pinch you can use cold shortening or even coconut oil, just be careful as they might affect the flavour a bit.
• Whole milk: You can replace whole milk with almond milk or soy milk, but this might slightly alter the scones’ richness.
• Diced cooked ham: If you want something different try using diced turkey, or even bacon bits to give it a smokey kick.
• Shredded sharp cheddar cheese: Feel free to mix it up with smoked cheddar or even Gouda if you want a twist on the classic savory taste.

Pro Tips

1. Make sure your butter is super cold and keep the milk chilled too. That way when you mix it all, the butter doesn’t melt too fast and you get a really flaky texture.
2. Don’t overwork the dough even if it feels like it needs kneading. Overmixing can make the scones tough so be gentle and mix just until everything’s combined.
3. If your dough feels too sticky, sprinkle in a little extra flour while turning it out onto your surface. It’s better to work with a slightly dry dough than one that’s all gooey.
4. Brush the tops of your scones lightly with milk before baking if you want an extra golden finish but be careful not to add too much or it might get soggy.