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Cheddar–Walnut Scones

2.8

(5)

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Alex Lau

You can use only all-purpose flour for this scones recipe if you’d like, but going 50/50 with whole wheat produces a nice nuttiness that complements the cheese and walnuts.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes 12 Servings

Ingredients

½

cup walnuts

cups whole wheat flour

2

tablespoons sugar

teaspoons baking powder

teaspoons kosher salt

cups all-purpose flour, plus more for surface

½

cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, chilled, cut into pieces

6

ounces aged sharp cheddar, coarsely grated

cups chilled heavy cream, plus more for brushing

Flaky sea salt

Apple Butter (for serving)

Need to make a substitution?

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Preheat oven to 350°. Toast walnuts on a rimmed baking sheet, tossing once, until golden brown and fragrant, 7–10 minutes. Let cool, then chop.

    Step 2

    Whisk whole wheat flour, sugar, baking powder, kosher salt, and 1½ cups all-purpose flour in a large bowl. Add butter and toss to coat. Using your fingers, work butter into dry ingredients until pieces are pea-size. Add cheese and walnuts and toss to coat. Drizzle 1¾ cups cream over and mix with a wooden spoon until dough just begins to come together.

    Step 3

    Turn out dough and any loose flour onto a lightly floured work surface. Briefly knead to bring dough together. Roll dough to ¾" thick (the shape doesn’t matter). Using a bench scraper to help lift dough, fold in half and rotate 90°. Roll to ¾" thick, fold in half, and rotate again. Repeat process 2 more times for a total of 4 folds, lightly dusting with more flour as needed; this will create lots of flaky layers. Flatten dough to a ¾"-thick rectangle, about 10x7". Chill, uncovered, at least 1 hour.

    Step 4

    Preheat oven to 425°. Trim dough to 9x6", then halve lengthwise. Cut each half into thirds crosswise to form six 3" squares. Halve each on a diagonal (you should have 12 triangles).

    Step 5

    Transfer dough to a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet. Brush with cream and sprinkle with sea salt. Bake scones, rotating sheet halfway through, until tops are golden brown, 16–18 minutes. Transfer scones to a wire rack and let cool. Serve with Apple Butter.

    Step 6

    Do Ahead: Dough can be made 1 day ahead; wrap tightly and chill. Scones, without brushing, can be made 1 day ahead; store in an airtight container or tightly wrapped at room temperature.