Easy Cherry Scones

A brilliant recipe for when you fancy something sweet to eat or baking with almost immediate results. These easy Cherry Scones are very similar to my recipe for Classic Jam and Cream Scones but with the added texture and taste of cherries and the sweet hit of vanilla.

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When to eat Cherry Scones

These cherry vanilla scones are a great after-school tea time snack or a quick breakfast if you enjoy a sweet breakfast.

They also make a wonderful addition to Afternoon Tea. You might like to serve alongside Chicken, Cheese & Rocket Falutas or Chicken and Basil Toasted Sandwiches. Other dessert options for Afternoon Tea include Kahlua and Walnut Chocolate Brownies or 3 ingredient Biscoff Brownie Bites.

What type of Cherries are best to use in Scones?

This recipe calls for Glace Cherries. They add moisture and taste to the scones without being too wet like fresh cherries. Unlike other types of fruit scones, glace cherries do not catch and burn on the edges during baking.

Ingredients needed for making Cherry and Vanilla Scones

• Glace Cherries – See above.
• Flour – Self Raising Flour (or Cake Flour) is needed for this recipe and the raising agent is included in the flour.
• Butter – I cannot stress enough that you need cold butter for scones. The least you can mess or handle the butter, the better and the more chance you have of getting light, fluffy scones rather than stodgy, heavy scones. I’m not too fussy on lightly salted or unsalted butter normally but for this recipe try to use unsalted cut into small pieces.
• Sugar – Caster Sugar is best as it is finer. Granulated is a coarse sugar that will not mix as smoothly in the scone mixture but can work at a push.
• Lemon Juice – It really does not matter if you use fresh lemon juice or juice from a bottle. If you do not have juice, you can use lemon zest or even orange zest.
• Vanilla – Like most of my recipes, vanilla extract is the best. The minimum to use for these is one teaspoon vanilla extract but if you like a stronger vanilla flavour, use two teaspoons vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste or a the seeds from a vanilla pod.
• Milk– Whatever milk you use will do. we always have Semi skimmed milk in.

Equipment needed for making Cherry Scones

Scone or Pastry Cutter – The size is up to you. A large cutter will yield 5-6 large scones. A mini cutter can get around 12-15 of your favorite treats out of the mixture.

A medium bowl – This is not a huge recipe but you do need room to move the ingredients about.

Method for making these sweet scones

Full amounts of ingredients and cooking times can be found in the printable recipe card:

• Mix together to combine flour and sugar with a sharp knife.
• Rub in the cubes of butter with your fingers tips until the sugar, flour-butter mixture just comes together.
• Add in the lemon juice, vanilla extract and milk continuing to use a kitchen knife to mix, then your finger tips for the final bit.
• Add in the chopped cherries, again mixing as little as possible (I feel like a stuck record here but it really does make a difference!)
• Bring the dough together on a lightly floured surface and cut out using the pastry cutter of your choice.
• Bake in the oven or air fryer until golden brown on the top and bottom of the scones.
• Remove from the oven and leave to cool on a wire rack.
• Best eaten the same day.

Tips for the perfect scone

• The most important things to remember for making scones is to handle the mixture as little as possible. It really makes a difference if the mixture has only just combined – You will get light, crumbly scones rather than dense, heavy scones.
• Cold hands and cold butter are the perfect way to make a scone.
• For best results, when cutting out using the pastry cutter, do not twist it – Dip the cutter into flour, then cut straight down. This makes the scones rise evenly.

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Can this Cherry Scones Recipe be cooked in an Air Fryer?

Yes they can. I advise a temperature of 195C for 16 minutes (Large Scones) or 9 minutes (Mini Scones) depending on the make of your air fryer.

Variations

You may like to add an egg wash on the tops of the scones. This can either be done through brushing a beaten egg yolk on or brushing 1-2 tablespoons milk on the top of each scone before baking.

A simple drizzle icing glaze can made this tasty snack even more special – A splash of vanilla extract or lemon juice can enhance the vanilla or lemon taste.

Alternatively, 50g of white chocolate chips go really well with the cherry and vanilla scones.

If you are looking for a Cherry Bakewell Scones, try adding a teaspoon of almond extract instead of vanilla.

To Serve

As in the photograph, a dollop of thick cherry jam is the perfect accompaniment. For the perfect treat, you could add some thickly whisked whipping cream.

Storage

These Cherry Scones will always be best eaten the same day but if you must bake ahead of time, store in an airtight container before cutting.

Freezing

Any leftover scones can be frozen on the day of baking in an airtight container before any fillings are added. Once frozen, the scones can be transferred into a freezer bag to save room in the freezer.

Defrost at room temperature. To add a little freshness, you could pop in the microwave for 30 seconds or even the air fryer for the same.

More scone recipes you may enjoy

Helen is a Blogger, Food Writer, Marketing Manager and Cake Expert. Go here to read the story of Helen and the Costello Family.