Frosted Cream Cheese Walnut Scones Recipe

Frosted Cream Cheese Walnut Scones are a family favorite or breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner – almost anytime is an excuse to enjoy these yummy scones.  They are loaded with walnuts, and both the scones and frosting are made with cream cheese.  Frosted Cream Cheese Walnut Scones are best served warm and fresh, split open, and topped with either lemon curd or thick homemade jam and clotted cream (Devonshire Cream or Creme Fraiche).

Walnut Scones frosted and cooling on metal racks

Check out Linda’s History of English High Tea, English High Tea Menu, and Afternoon Tea Recipes.

More of Linda’s delicious Scone Recipes and Bread Recipes.

Frosted Cream Cheese Walnut Scones Recipe:
Prep Time
25 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
40 mins
 
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: English
Keyword: Frosted Cream Cheese Walnut Scones Recipe
Servings: 8 scones
Ingredients
Cream Cheese Walnut Scones:
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour,  plus additional for work surface
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small pieces*
  • 5 ounces cream cheese, chilled and cut into small pieces*
  • 1 1/4 cups buttermilk, chilled*
  • 1 large egg, cold*
  • 1 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped
Cream Cheese Frosting:
  • 3 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar (confectioners' sugar)
  • 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons milk
Instructions
Cream Cheese Walnut Scones Instructions:
  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.  Place oven rack in middle of oven.  Lightly spray a large baking sheet with vegetable-oil cooking spray.

  2. Tip:  Chill the bowl and any utensils you will be using in the refrigerator before making the scones.

  3. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar; whisk together to mix.

  4. With a pastry blender or two knives, cut chilled butter and chilled cream cheese into the flour mixture until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

  5. In a small bowl, stir the chilled buttermilk and cold egg together.  Add the liquid mixture and walnuts to the flour mixture; stir just until mixed.  The dough will be stiff and slightly sticky.  If necessary, turn the mixture onto a lightly floured board and knead gently until the flour is combined.  Do not over-knead as this will make a tougher scone.

  6. On a lightly floured surface, shape and pat the dough into a circle or rectangle about inches thick.  Cut into wedges, squares or circles with a floured knife and place them 2 inches apart on the baking sheet.  Scones can be cut into any shape you desire.  Use a drinking glass to make circles, or cut into squares or wedges with a knife.  Dip the edges of the cutter in flour to prevent the dough from sticking.  Do not pat the edges of the scone down; instead leave the cuts as sharp as possible to allow the scones to rise in layers.

  7. Bake 12 to 20 minutes or until the scones are lightly browned (depending on the size of your scones).  A good check is to use an instant digital thermometer to test your scones.  The temperature of the scones should be at 200 degrees F. when done.

  8. Remove scones from baking sheets and cool on wire racks.

  9. Makes 8 scones.
     

Cream Cheese Frosting Instructions:
  1. In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese until soft.  Add confectioners sugar and vanilla extract; beat until smooth.  Add enough milk to make a good spreading consistency.  Frost the scones while they are still warm.

Recipe Notes

Why do your ingredients need to be cold?  It is important that your ingredients (both fats, liquids, and eggs) remain cold.  The purpose is to keep the butter solid and not let it melt.  If your dough is kept cold, it will have little bits of dispersed butter.  In the heat of the oven, that butter melts into the dough but leaves pockets and layers in the scones.  If it's hot in your kitchen, freeze your butter before making scones.  Cold butter makes scones rise higher!

Thermapen Internal Temperature Cooking ChartI get many readers asking what cooking/meat thermometer that I prefer and use in my cooking and baking. I, personally, use the Thermapen Thermometer. Originally designed for professional use, the Super-Fast Thermapen Thermometer is used by chefs all over the world.  I only endorse a few products, on my web site, that I like and use regularly.

You can learn more or buy yours at: Super-Fast Thermapen Thermometer.

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Source:  I slightly adapted this wonderful scones recipe.  Recipe and photo were shared with me by my sister, Carol Arroyo, and her website called The Baking Pan.  Original recipe was adapted from The Prepared Pantry web site.

Categories:

Afternoon Tea    Quick Bread    Scones   

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