Cheddar Scallion Scones with Jalapeno Agave Butter Recipe

By
Sydney Oland
Sydney Oland: Contributing Writer at Serious Eats
Sydney Oland
Sydney Oland lives in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, where she develops recipes and owns and operates three businesses: a bean-to-bar chocolate company, an ice cream company, and a collective food production space. Previously, she wrote brunch and British food recipe columns for Serious Eats.
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Updated June 17, 2019
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Sydney Oland

Some people enjoy sweet jams and spreads on their breakfast pastry, and then there are the rest of us who are much happier with something a bit more spicy, and cheesy. These scones are for those of us who crave something savory, but still want flaky pastry in the morning.

If you're planning a Southwestern themed brunch, you can stuff them with soft scrambled eggs and a dollop of guacamole make a simple breakfast sandwich that your guests will love. Or bring these along for a potluck to complement other main dishes.

These scones are rich and buttery thanks to the inclusion of half and half, but if you're watching your waistline you can use skim milk instead.

Recipe Details

Cheddar Scallion Scones with Jalapeno Agave Butter Recipe

Active 15 mins
Total 35 mins
Makes 12 scones

Ingredients

  • 16 tablespoons (2 sticks) unsalted butter, 1 stick at room temperature, 1 stick cold
  • 1/2 jalapeno, seeded and finely chopped (about 2 tablespoons)
  • 1 teaspoon agave nectar
  • Kosher salt
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 4 ounces (about 1 cup) shredded cheddar cheese
  • 8 scallions, thinly sliced
  • 3 eggs, divided
  • 1/2 cup half and half

Directions

  1. In a medium bowl combine 1 stick room temperature butter, jalapeno, agave, and a pinch of salt. Mix with a spatula until ingredients are evenly incorporated, then taste for seasoning adding additional salt if necessary. Refrigerate until ready to use.

  2. Adjust oven rack to middle position and preheat to 400 °F. In a large bowl combine flour, baking powder and 2 teaspoons salt, and whisk to combine. Cut cold remaining 1 stick cold butter into 1/4-inch pieces, then using your fingers or a pastry cutter, mix butter into flour mixture until it resembles a coarse meal.

  3. Toss shredded cheddar and scallions into butter/flour mixture. In a medium bowl, beat two eggs, then whisk in half and half. Pour egg mixture over flour mixture and stir using a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms.

  4. Turn dough out onto a floured work service and knead gently, just until it comes together into a ball, adding more flour if necessary. Pat dough into a 1 inch rectangle, then using a 2 1/2 inch round pastry cutter cut into 12 scones. Place scones on a prepared baking sheet then beat remaining egg and brush over scones. Bake scones until puffed and golden, about 17 minutes, rotating once during cooking.

  5. Allow scones to cool for five minutes, then serves with jalapeño-agave butter.

Special equipment

Baking sheet

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