For me there’s nothing better than a freshly baked scone. Whether it’s sweet and slathered in clotted cream and the very best jam or simply savoury I will go out my way to bake homemade scones. Whilst I absolutely LOVE sweet scones, I do also really enjoy a good Cheddar cheese scone. There’s something about a piping hot, freshly baked scone straight from the oven and slathered in lots of salted butter that I adore. But like most of my recipes, I like to put my own twist and take on the classic. My scone recipe is packed full of two cheeses, sage leaves and salty cured prosciutto for a little twist. The recipe combines my love of traditional British food and Italian cuisine – two of my favourites.
When I first baked these scones I wasn’t entirely sure how they would go down with my family. I knew I would love the flavours because I’m a big fan of cheese scones or any savoury scones and the recipe combines some of my favourite baking ingredients. But I was completely shocked by my sister (who is the hardest to please!) who enjoyed the flavour and asked me to bake another batch! This time I decided to swap the prosciutto for cooked smoked pancetta. It was just as amazingly tasty as the original scone made with prosciutto.
These are simply, the cheesiest, tastiest, crumbliest, butteriest and delicious savoury scones I have ever eaten.
I just know I’m going to be baking more and more batches of these scones during the Autumn to serve alongside many delicious bowls of soup. They would also make a brilliant breakfast recipe for a lazy Sunday morning!
(Makes 8)
Ingredients:
225g self-raising flour, sifted
50g cold unsalted butter, cubed
50g Cheddar
90g prosciutto or cooked pancetta, cut into small pieces
1 tablespoon of finely chopped fresh sage leaves
1 large free-range egg
100ml buttermilk
Topping:
1-2 tbsp buttermilk or milk
25g parmesan
25g Cheddar
Method:
1. In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, add the flour and cold butter. Mix on low speed for a few minutes or until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs – you can also do this by hand without using a mixer.
2. Then add the Cheddar, proscuitto (or bacon) and finely chopped sage. Mix through, then add the egg and buttermilk, using a butter knife, mix through until you have a soft dough – be careful not to overwork the dough at this point!
3. Line a large baking tray with non-stick paper. Tip the scone dough out onto a lightly floured work surface. Spread out into a rectangle about 3cm in depth. Cut into 8 squares and then place on the baking tray. Brush the tops with the buttermilk, then sprinkle over the extra grated Cheddar and Parmesan.
4. Bake the scones at 220°C / 200°C Fan / 400°F / Gas Mark 6 for 12-14 minutes or until golden and slightly risen. Leave to cool on tray for a few minutes.
5. Serve the scones warm and toasted with butter, they can also be served at room temperature. Scones will store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Enjoy!
These sound wonderful! These scones seem similar to a biscuit- right? I am going to have to try these 🙂
Thank you! Yeah, I think scones are the same as biscuits in the US? Glad you like the recipe, hope you enjoy! 😀
I was never much exposed to scones growing up so I definitely missed out on the savory bandwagon! I love your description and since I love love love cheesy biscuits, I’m sure I’d fall right in love with these!
Thanks Ala! I think every child here in the UK has eaten scones at some point in their lives and maybe even learn’t how to make them too!
Glad you like the recipe!
Oooh, these sound sooo good. I’ve become a bit obsessed with sage at the moment – that stuff is so good 🙂
Thanks Josefine! Sage is definitely one of my favourite herbs, so good! So happy you like the recipe! 😀
I have a soft spot for sweet scones, but I have to admit that I love salty scones more! Totally into these!
Thanks Joanne! Salty, savoury scones always win my vote!
Jess, these are calling my name! I adore every ingredient and flavor you’ve utilized here – I am definitely making these!
Thank you! Glad you’re going to give the recipe a go! Let me know how you get on!
Interestingly enough, I have never made a savory scone. I love cheese, prosciutto and sage, so this sounds like a winning combination!
Thanks Eva! Then you really must try these out, the recipe is amazing and my family absolutely devour them! The flavours really all work well together!
Do you know we have the same idea!? To celebrate autum I wanted make the salted scones! i love them, I But I don’t found a recipe yet! Maybe I will do yours 😉
Thanks Eva! Great minds think alike, right?! Can’t wait for your recipe for scones, they’ll be super delicious! Hope you like these when you try the recipe! 😀
Beautiful! And I looove the curly cheese in the photos! It looks like chocolate shavings! These do look spectacular.
Thanks Lina! The cheese is definitely the best part, so good and the more, the better! Glad you like the recipe!
First time I had a scone it was during a school trip in Ireland (we don’t have scones in Italy). I was 16 years old. I fell in love with them. 🙁 Now scones with cheese always make me a happy girl.
Thank you Daniela! Your story is so sweet! Scones are definitely one of the best foods- but I’ve never found one in Italy either! Glad you like these savoury cheese scones! 😀
You are absolutely right nothing is better than freshly baked homemade scones. Beautiful scones Jessica!! Love love the flavours.. 😀
Thanks Arpita! Glad you like the recipe! 😀
Love that you made these into a savory scone, these look perfect!
Thanks Danielle!
These look insanely delish! Yumm
Thanks Chaya!
Savory scones are the best kind! Love this recipe and three cheers for sage!
Thanks Medha!
Oh dear, these look absolutely delicious! What a fun twist on scones. The prosciutto is a great twist to savory scones.
Thank you Ngan! The proscuitto really adds a little twist and brings a little extra saltiness! 😀
Beautiful scones Jess and what a pretty twist!
Thanks Jessica!
Beautiful and cute twist on these scones Jess! I love the sage addition, definitely had that idea on my mind for scones too!!
These scones look gorgeous…and I absolutely love the flavor combo here! Two thumbs up!!
Thanks David!
I love that you’ve combined English with Italian here, Jess!
Cheese scones are my absolute favourite (have you tried John Lewis’ … mmmm!)
LOVE the addition of the prosciutto and sage … wow!
Thank you Helen! Two of the best cuisines! I’ve never tried a scone from John Lewis- but all their food is amazing, especially love the lime white choc cupcakes!
Glad you like my scone recipe! 😀
What a great idea to have a savory scone. I wished I would’ve thought of that! 🙂 I love scones and definitely prefer savory over sweet, so these are totally speaking my language!
Thanks Kristi! 😀
I couldn’t agree more! I love both savory and sweet scones, and these sound like something I need to get in the oven soon!
My daughter is 2 and regularly brings me a bowl and pastry blender, asking to make scones… I think we made need to switch to the savory type, and these would be perfect for that! They look delicious 🙂
Couldn’t agree more! I love scones, both savory and sweet. I need to make these soon!
Savory scones are my FAVORITE!!! Love these!
You know what, I have never made scones before. But I love the idea of these with pancetta in it. Sounds delicious!!
These scones look fabulous Jessica! I love that you made savory scones – they sound amazing!
Your post is making me really desperate for a stand mixer – along with these delicious sounding scone too.
Scones are one of my all-time favorite baked treats. I usually go for this sweet, but I love a good savory one too, and these flavors are amazing!
They look so tender and perfect…bravo!
Savory scones are my absolute favorite! These look amazing!
These look absolutely amazing! Savoury scones are the best 🙂
Delicious scones are what tea time was made for, ditto with the savoury sage and pancetta combo. It’s nearly too warm to turn on the oven here, but before that happens, you’ve got me inspired to bake a batch soon 🙂
Silly question – substituting bacon for the prosciutto, does it go in raw or does it need cooked first?
I like to cook the bacon a little until crispy. 🙂
Thank you!!
Pleasure, hope you enjoy Effie! 😀
I made them at lunch time and they are all gone!
Extremely delicious, I did use cooked bacon and dried herbs as I’ve no fresh here and they were really yummy! As always, very impressed with your recipes – never fail!!!
http://flic.kr/p/pkD7vc
And btw, that photo isn’t edited at all! That is exactly what they looked like, okay so they maybe got a minute or two longer in the oven than they should have had BUT they were delicious!