Apple, cheddar and thyme scones

Apple, cheddar and thyme scones. Photograph: Harry Weir Photography
Apple, cheddar and thyme scones. Photograph: Harry Weir Photography
Serves: 8
Course: Dessert
Cooking Time: 0 hr 20 mins

Ingredients

  • 235g self raising flour
  • ¾ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 25g unsalted butter, cubed
  • 150g grated mature cheese
  • 1 tsp chopped thyme
  • 1 large (about 150g) eating apple, chopped or grated
  • 2 eggs
  • 115ml milk

1 Preheat the oven to 200 degrees or 180 degrees if using a fan oven. Line a baking tray with parchment paper.

2 In a large mixing bowl, sieve together the flour, salt, and baking powder.

3 Add the butter and rub in with your fingers until it resembles fine breadcrumbs. Add the grated cheese, chopped apple, and thyme, mixing well to combine.

4 Crack one of the eggs into a bowl and whisk together with 100ml of the milk. Mix just until the dough comes together. Dust the work surface with a little extra flour, turn out the dough, and roll out until you have a 18cm circle.

5 Cut out eight scones using a 6cm circle cutter and place on the baking tray. Whisk the remaining egg with the 15ml milk and brush the tops of the scones with a little of the egg wash.

6 Bake the scones for 20 minutes until the tops are beautifully golden brown. Cool slightly before serving.

Aoife Noonan

Aoife Noonan

Aoife Noonan is a pastry chef and culinary consultant. She writes a weekly baking column for the Irish Times Magazine