Cherry Scones

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These cherry scones are buttery, and moist . They have a slightly crispy exterior and pillowy soft center and fresh cherries in every bite.

a stack of 3 cherry scones with cherries on top, surrounded by other cherry scones and cherries

These cherry scones are everything a scone should be — with buttery layers, juicy cherries and a soft, moist crumb — they’re just like bakery-style scones, but better because they’re homemade!

Plus, these cherry scones are easy to make in about 30 minutes with simple ingredients and bake up beautifully golden brown. The longest part of the recipe is pitting and cutting the cherries – which can be done a day ahead in advance.

Whether you serve them warm from the oven with a slather of butter (or cinnamon butter), or enjoy them with a cup of coffee, these cherry scones are sure to become a favorite, just like these cinnamon chip scones and classic scones!

two cherry scones stacked on each other with cherries in the background, the top scone has a bite taken out of it
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Cherry Scones: Ingredients & Substitutions

overhead photo of the labeled ingredients in this cherry scones recipe like flour, cherries, vanilla, sugar, butter and more.
  • All-purpose flour. Use a 1:1 all-purpose gluten-free baking flour to make this recipe gluten-free.
  • Granulated sugarorganic cane sugar and white granulated sugar are the best choices.
  • Salted Butter. Unsalted butter works well. TIP: we use frozen or cold butter to make these scones – so be sure to put a stick in the freezer or fridge well before you want to make this recipe.
  • Half and Half. Heavy cream and whole milk are both good substitutes for half and half. Or, try making cherry buttermilk scones!
  • Vanilla extract. For different flavors, substitute ½ tsp vanilla extract for different extracts (almond, lemon etc.)
  • Cherries. I suggest using fresh cherries for the best results. Make sure they are rinsed and completely dry. If using frozen, thaw complete in a colander and pat dry.
  • Heavy cream. brushing the tops with heavy cream is a must! It gives them a golden shine.
a cherry scone on a plate with two whole cherries and one half of a cherry on a gray background

How to Make Cherry Scones

Let’s walk through this cherry scones recipe together, and as always you can watch the video for further guidance!

Begin by pitting and quartering cherries. You can use this large cherry pitter (pictured below), or use a single hand-held cherry pitter.

cherries being pitted with a cherry pitter on a wood cutting board

Then use a sharp knife to quarter the cherries. You want them in small, bite-sized pieces for the best scones. Make sure they are completely dry before moving on to the next step. I often pat them dry with a paper towel.

chopped cherries on a wood cutting board with a knife and the cherry pitter in the bottom lefthand corner

Next, toss the cherries in 1 Tablespoon flour. This serves two purposes: 1) It keeps them from bleeding into the dough. 2) it keeps them stabilized in the scones so they don’t all sink to the bottom while baking.

photo showing how to make cherry scones in a white bowl - halved cherries and flour in the bowl before mixing
photo showing how to make cherry scones in a white bowl - halved cherries and flour in the bowl after mixing

Once the cherries are ready, start making the scones by mixing the dry ingredients together in a large bowl.

how to make cherry scones - dry ingredients in a white bowl before mixing
how to make cherry scones - dry ingredients in a white bowl after mixing

Then, grate the frozen butter. This is my favorite way to make scones because I believe it’s so much easier than cutting cold butter into the dry ingredients.

Once the butter is grated, mix it into the dry ingredients. Or, you can cut the butter in with a fork or pastry cutter.

how to make cherry scones - grated frozen butter added to the dry ingredients in a white bowl
how to make cherry scones - grated frozen butter stirred into dry ingredients with a white and wood spatula

Next, mix in the rest of the wet ingredients – egg, half and half and vanilla until the dough starts to stick together.

how to make cherry scones -milk, vanilla and egg added to the dry ingredient mixture before mixing
how to make cherry scones - dough after mixing in a white bowl with a white and wood spatula

Then, very carefully add the cherries to the dough as you form it into a round disc that’s 8 to 9 inches in diameter (20-23 cm).

how to make cherry scones - scone dough on a floured surface and floured cherries on top
how to make cherry scones - scone dough with cherries formed into a round disc

Then, cut the scones into 8 pieces. Begin by cutting the round disc in half horizontally, then vertically so that you’re left with quarters.

how to make cherry scones - scone dough with cherries formed into a round disc cut in half
how to make cherry scones - scone dough with cherries formed into a round disc cut in quarters

Then, diagonally cut each pair of quarters in half – this will give you 8 good-size scones. You can make mini scones and cut each scone in half to make 16.

Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

Then, evenly spread the scones out on the baking sheet and brush the tops with heavy cream.

Then, bake in your oven (preheated to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, 204 degrees Celsius). for about 15 minutes, or until the tops are just set and the bottoms/edges are slightly golden brown.

Transfer the baked scones to a wire cooling rack to cool for at least 15 minutes before serving.

8 baked cherry scones on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper

Serve

I suggest serving these cherry scones at room temperature or slightly warm (my preference). Serve them with a dollop of cinnamon butterhomemade apple butter, or nut butter for an extra special touch.

And, serve them with your favorite breakfast and brunch recipes like egg casserole, a delicious omelette or the most perfect cinnamon rolls.

7 cherry scones arranged in a circle on a circular wire cooling rack with a red and cream towel and cherries surrounding them

Store/Freeze

Store leftover cherry scones in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months. 

a cherry scone on a piece of parchment paper surrounded by other scones and cherries

Cherry Scones Recipe FAQS

Can I use frozen cherries in this recipe?

You can use frozen cherries, however you need to thaw them in a colander and let any excess juices run off. Then get them as dry as possible before tossing with flour and mixing them into the scones. They are more likely to bleed red/purple into the scones than fresh cherries.

Should butter be cold or soft for scones?

Butter should frozen (if you will be grating it into the scones) or cold (if you will be cutting the butter into the dry ingredients with a fork or pastry cutter). Never warm. Cold/frozen butter makes them flaky and moist.

Can I double this recipe?

Yes, if you double the ingredients be sure to make two round discs of dough instead of one large one.

a stack of 3 cherry scones with 3 cherries on top, surrounded by other cherry scones and a bowl of cherries in the background

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Cherry Scones

Laura
These cherry scones are buttery, and moist . They have a slightly crispy exterior and pillowy soft center and fresh cherries in every bite.
No ratings yet
Course Breakfast, brunch
Cuisine American
Servings 8 Scones
Calories 284
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Cooling5 minutes
Total Time35 minutes

Ingredients 
 

Instructions 

  • TIP: we use frozen butter to make these cherry scones – so be sure to put a stick in the freezer well before you want to make this recipe.
  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204 degrees Celsius).

Prepare the Cherries

  • Pit and quarter 6 ounces (170 grams, 1 cup) of cherries.
  • Pat the cherries dry with a paper towel or tea towel.
  • Toss 1 cup of cherries with 1 Tablespoon flour gently. Set aside.

Make the Cherry Scones

  • Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat, set aside.
  • Combine flour, sugar, baking powder and sea salt in a large bowl.
  • Grate the frozen butter into the dry mixture and stir to combine. (Or cut in cold butter with a pastry cutter or fork).
  • Add half and half, egg and vanilla extract and stir until combined. The dough will look crumbly initially but will clump together when squeezed between your fingers and should easily form a circle.
  • Turn dough out onto a well-floured surface (or pastry slab).
  • Carefully add the cherries are you form the dough, trying not to crush them.
  • Form the dough into a round circle about 8-9” in diameter. *see notes for instructions on making these the night before.
  • Cut into 8 equal pieces. Start by cutting the circle in half from top to bottom. Then cut it in half from side to side. Then cut the remaining pieces in half diagonally. (see video)
  • Carefully separate the cherry scones and spread them out evenly on the prepared baking sheet.
  • Lightly brush the tops of each scone with heavy cream.

Bake, Cool and Serve

  • Bake in the preheated oven for 14-17 minutes, or until the scones look set and are lightly golden brown
  • Remove from the oven and transfer scones to a baking sheet to cool, or serve warm (which I highly recommend).
  • Serve at room temperature.

Video

Notes

Ingredient Substitution List
  • All-purpose flour. Use a 1:1 all-purpose gluten-free baking flour to make this recipe gluten-free.
  • Granulated sugarorganic cane sugar and white granulated are the best choices.
  • Salted Butter. unsalted butter works well.
  • Half and Half. Heavy cream and whole milk are both good substitutes for half and half. Or, try making cherry buttermilk scones!
  • Vanilla extract. For different flavors, substitute ½ tsp vanilla extract for different extracts (almond, lemon etc.)
  • Cherries. I suggest using fresh cherries for the best results. Make sure they are rinsed and completely dry. If using frozen, thaw complete in a colander and pat dry.
  • Heavy cream. brushing the tops with heavy cream is a must! It gives them a golden shine.
 

Nutrition

Serving: 1scone | Calories: 284kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 56mg | Sodium: 256mg | Potassium: 256mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 449IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 96mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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