Recipe; Buttermilk Cherry Scones

This buttermilk cherry scones recipe is bursting with flavour and uses fresh tart cherries, rich cream, and vanilla. These easy homemade scones are perfect for afternoon tea which regular readers will know is my favourite past time! I hope that you enjoy these soft flaky scones that just melt in your mouth as much as I do.

I love fresh fruit, especially when it is in season in the UK and nothing screams summer like fresh cherries! You could also use frozen cherries out of season or glace cherries. I wanted to create a scrumptious scone recipe incorporating fresh fruit in a buttery scone and cherry seemed like a perfect flavour.

How Do You Prepare Fresh Cherries?

If you are using fresh cherries, you will need to wash then remove the stones. The easiest way to remove the stones is to use a cherry pitter tool. It maybe advisable to wear rubber gloves as cherry juice can easily stain your hands and it goes everywhere! Once the stones have been removed cut them in half (or quarters if you want smaller pieces) and lay them out on a paper towel to dry. This is essential or your scones will be too wet and will not cook properly.

Can You Use Frozen Cherries?

Frozen cherries can also be used in this buttermilk cherry scone recipe. Again, make sure the stones are removed, chop, and use whilst still frozen. If allowed to defrost the frozen cherries will make the scone dough too wet.

Can You Use Dried Or Glacé Cherries?

Yes, you can use fruit right out of the bag, but I like to soften them up a bit before baking. To do this, let dried cherries soak in hot water or cherry liqueur for 15-20 minutes to plump them up. Simply chop glacé in half or quarters.

Scone Baking Tips

Two very important things to do to ensure a perfect fluffy buttermilk cherry scone

• Preheat your oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7 for at least 20 minutes before baking. A hot oven will help your scones rise tall.
• Make sure your butter is COLD. It does not matter if you use unsalted or salted butter, but it MUST BE COLD. As the butter melts it will allow for air to create flaky scones. I also find running your wrists under a cold tap also helps.

If you thought making buttermilk cherry scones was difficult this recipe will surprise you; the scones come out perfect time after time! You’ll be making this recipe every chance you get. Make sure to have your mixing bowls, measuring tools, and a sheet pan lined with a piece of parchment paper ready and set aside before you begin making your scones recipe.

Ingredients

• 450g Self-raising flour
• 1 tsp Bicarbonate of soda
• 100g Cold butter, diced
• 2 tbsp Caster sugar
• 285ml Buttermilk
• 2 tbsp Milk
• 2 tsp Vanilla extract
• 100g Fresh or glacé cherries, chopped
• Clotted cream and cherry jam, to serve

Method

1. In a large bowl, mix the dry ingredients.
2. With a sharp knife, cut the cold butter into small pieces. Mix the butter into the flour until it resembles coarse crumbs. Ensure the heat from your hands does not melt the butter in order to achieve the best texture for your scones.
3. Mix the wet ingredients in a jug then make a well in the flour/butter crumbs and pour in the liquid. Mix well until a rough dough forms. 
4. Using your hands, knead the buttermilk cherry scone dough until it forms a smooth soft ball
5. Place scone dough on a floured surface and gently roll out the dough to about 2.5cm deep and cut out using a 7cm fluted cutter. Gently bring the remaining dough together, roll it out, and repeat until all the dough is used.
6. Place the scones on a parchment-lined baking sheet. With a pastry brush a little milk on top of the buttermilk cherry scones and then add a small pinch of sugar to the scone tops.
7. Place the baking tray on the middle rack in the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, until golden brown.
8. Remove scones from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack.
9. Once the scones are completely cool, enjoy with clotted cream and cherry jam.

Additional Flavours To Add To The Buttermilk Cherry Scones

There are many flavour options you can add to this recipe to enhance the scones but two of my favourites are:

1. Buttermilk Cherry And Almond Scones; add 1 teaspoon of almond extract to the mixture and top the uncooked scones with flaked almonds before baking.
2. Buttermilk Cherry And Dark Chocolate Chip Scones; name something that doesn’t taste better with the addition of rich dark bitter chocolate? Add a handful of chocolate chunks to the scone dough or drizzle melted chocolate on top of the scones once cooled.

How Do You Store Buttermilk Cherry Scones?

If you are fortunate to have any scones left they can be stored at room temperature on a plate loosely covered in cling film or in an airtight tin for up to 3 days. They can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months.