Ham and Cheese Scones

Easy peasy ham and cheddar scones perfect for any time of day – perfect as breakfast, snack-time, appetizer or with a bowl of soup!

Ham and Cheese Scones - Easy peasy ham and cheddar scones perfect for any time of day - perfect as breakfast, snack-time, appetizer or with a bowl of soup!

Featured Comment

These were absolutely amazing! I got nervous because I completely forgot to add the ham and had to re-mix and recut the scones, so I thought they were going to be overworked and tough, but they were just perfect. Tender, flaky, and just absolutely delicious. Thank you so much for posting such a great, foolproof recipe.

Amy

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WHY MAKE HAM AND CHEESE SCONES

Wonderfully flaky, buttery, tender and crumbly
Perfect as a savory breakfast treat
Great to serve alongside soups and stews
Amazingly freezer-friendly, ideal for planning ahead or saving leftovers

INGREDIENTS

Flour

All-purpose is ideal but gluten-free flour can also be substituted.

Sugar

A little bit of sugar helps offset the savory richness with its subtle sweetness.

Baking Powder

A leavening agent to help the scones rise.

Garlic Powder

To complement the savory flavors of the ham and cheese.

Butter

A key ingredient, the butter helps create those light and flaky textures and crisp edges.

Buttermilk

Makes the scones tender while adding a slight tang.

Cheese

Cheddar is our go-to but monterey jack and pepper jack would also work well here.

Ham

This is a great recipe to repurpose any leftover holiday ham.

Chives

Use up any extra herbs on hand (chives, thyme, rosemary or sage).

TIPS AND TRICKS FOR SUCCESS

Start with cold butter. Using chilled butter is ideal, contributing to a better rise and softer, crumbly scones. If using warm butter, it will melt too quickly during mixing. We want the butter to melt in the oven for those super flaky layers.
Use buttermilk. While adding a slightly tangy flavor, buttermilk is an important ingredient here yielding light, moist and fluffier scones. Using milk will lead to more neutral flavors and a drier consistency. You can also make a buttermilk substitute using milk, adding 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup milk.
Use your favorite cheese and herbs. This is a great recipe to use your favorite cheese and any extra herbs you have leftover.
Avoid overworking the dough. Knead the dough just until it comes together. Overworking the dough can lead to dense, dry scones.
Mix it up. Swap out the ham for pancetta, sausage or bacon.
Freeze before baking. Although scones can be frozen before or after baking, freezing before baking is preferred to preserve texture and for optimal freshness.

FREEZING AND STORAGE

Storage

Leftover baked scones can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days.

Reheating

Reheat in the oven at 350°F, covered in aluminum foil until warmed through, about 5-10 minutes.

Freeze before baking

Place the scones on a baking sheet lined with wax paper or parchment paper, freezing for 1 hour until solid. Transfer the scones to an airtight, resealable freezer bag. Label, date and freeze up to 2 months. To bake, thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as directed.

Freeze after baking

Let the scones cool completely. Transfer the scones to an airtight, resealable freezer bag. Label, date and freeze up to 2 months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in the oven at 350°F, covered in aluminum foil until warmed through, about 5-10 minutes.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH HAM AND CHEESE SCONES

Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Best Ever Beef Stew
Slow Cooker Beef Stew
Easy Clam Chowder
One Pot Chicken Stew

TOOLS FOR THIS RECIPE

Baking sheet

HAM AND CHEESE SCONES: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What can I substitute for buttermilk?

A quick and easy buttermilk substitute is creating your own buttermilk with whole milk and something acidic such as lemon juice or distilled white vinegar.

You can add 1 tablespoon acid (lemon juice or vinegar) to 1 cup milk, letting it stand for 5-10 minutes.

Can I use a different kind of cheese?

Absolutely! Monterey jack, pepper jack, gouda or even swiss can be used instead.

Can I skip the ham?

Swap the ham for diced pancetta, crumbled sausage or crispy bacon bits.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes! Scones are very freezer-friendly, flash freezing once assembled (before baking) and storing in the freezer for up to 2 months.

How can I store leftovers?

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days.

Recipe

Yield: 8 servings
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 35 minutes

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon sugar

1 tablespoon baking powder

½ teaspoon garlic powder

½ teaspoon kosher salt

½ cup unsalted butter, cut into cubes

¾ cup buttermilk

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

⅓ cup diced ham

2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives

Equipment

Baking Sheet

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat; set aside.
2. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, garlic powder and salt. Add cold butter, using your fingers to work the butter into the dry ingredients until it resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Stir in buttermilk, cheese, ham and chives until a soft dough forms.
4. Working on a lightly floured surface, knead the dough 3-4 times until it comes together. Using a rolling pill, roll the dough into an 8″ circle, about 1-inch thick, and cut into 8 wedges.
5. Place scones onto the prepared baking sheet. Place into oven and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until firm to the touch and lightly browned.
6. Serve warm.