This Cherry Scones Recipe is the perfect breakfast treat. Made using simple ingredients, these sweet scones are sure to be the best part of your day. Use this homemade cherry scones recipe to wow your tastebuds - and don't forget to pair it with a cup of coffee or tea.

The first time I remember enjoying a scone was in college when I discovered the Maple Oat Nut Scones at Starbucks. They quickly became my go-to treat and my love affair with scones continued from there. From our copycat Starbucks Blueberry Scone Recipe to these unique Earl Grey Scones any scone is welcome on my tea table.
I think that one of the best things about this basic scone recipe is that it's not overly sweet. Some homemade scones are more on the sweeter side, but this is more of a tender scone with a little bit of cherry flavor. It's one of my favorites to make during the cherry season!
If you're a fan of cherries, be sure to check out this Chocolate Cherry Brownies recipe! It's one of my favorites for combining chocolate and tart!Â
Or for another flavorful scone try our Coffee Scones Recipe.
Ingredients
Flour - This is the main ingredient to make the scone dough.
Salt - For flavor.
Sugar - Added to give the scones a slight sweetness.
Baking powder - Helps to give the scones that fluffy and light texture that we all love and crave.
Salted butter - Adds flavor and helps to add moisture.
Almond extract - For flavor.
Half and half - Thins out the dough and adds richness.
Egg yolk - Use only the egg yolk. (and use the egg white for something different!)
Pitted tart cherries - You can use a cherry pitter to pit the cherries yourself or buy them already processed and ready. I buy a cherry berry blend in the frozen fruit section and pick out the sour cherries since they can be hard to find.
How To Make This Cherry Scones Recipe
One of the most important things to remember about scones is that it's all about the dough. Following the steps on the recipe card will result in light and delicious scones instead of tough scones. Add in the fresh, sweet cherries (or frozen!), and you'll love every part of this easy recipe.
Step One: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Add parchment paper to a baking sheet.
Step Two: Add the first five ingredients into a food processor and pulse until the cold butter is cut in thoroughly.
Top Tip
You can do this by hand with a pastry cutter but if you have a food processor it cuts down on the prep time considerably.
Step Three: Add the almond extract and egg. Stream in the half and half with the food processor running. This will form the dough.
Step Four: Fold in the cherries using a wooden spoon.
Step Five: Separate the dough into two balls. Press each ball onto the baking sheet in a 12-inch circle. Cut each circle into 8 wedges and then space out the wedges so that they aren’t side by side.
Step Six: Put the scones in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and firm to the touch.
Variations
Add chocolate - The fun part about making scones is that you can have so many fun flavors! Dark chocolate, chocolate chips, white chocolate - it's all fair game.
Dairy - You can use heavy cream or sour cream in place of the half and half if you prefer.
Nuts - These have a lovely flavor from the almond extract so adding some sliced almonds would be a natural variation.
Add citrus - Putting a bit of lemon zest or orange zest into the flaky scones is a simple way to add a pop of fun taste.
Use different fruit - Making fruit scones gives you flexibility. This easy scone recipe can be altered to use blueberries, raspberries, and even strawberries. The almond flavor works well with all of them. This is a great base recipe to be able to change out the type of fruit used.
Common Questions
​What type of cherries should I add to the flour mixture?
When it comes to adding fruit to the scone dough, you have options. Fresh cherry cones use fresh cherries or frozen cherries, but there are a few things to remember. Frozen cherries should be thawed prior to adding them, or they will thaw while baking, releasing a ton of excess liquid into the batter.
It's not recommended to use dried cherries, as it will give a chew to the scones that some people may not care for. Fresh or frozen is best.
How do I store leftovers of these fresh cherry scones?
Once this cherry scone recipe is cooked according to the bake time, be sure to let them cool completely before adding them to an airtight container. If you want to reheat the leftover scones and enjoy them warm, add them to the microwave for a short amount of time.
When should I eat scones?
There are options when it comes to enjoying scones. You can eat in the morning with a cup of coffee or enjoy with your afternoon tea.
Can I make scones a different shape?
You can always try fun and new things with your scones. Use a cookie cutter to try and make a new shape or look. I'd still make a thick circle on a lightly floured surface and then cut out the shape of the scones that you want.
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📖 Recipe
Cherry Scones Recipe
Ingredients
- 2.5 cups flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- â…” cup sugar
- 2.5 teaspoon baking powder
- 8 tablespoon salted butter cold and cut into cubes
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 egg yolk
- ½ cup half & half
- 1 cup pitted tart cherries fresh or frozen
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Combine the first 5 ingredients in a food processor. Pulse until the butter is thoroughly cut in.
- With the processor running add the almond extract, egg yolk, and cream until a ball of dough forms.
- Fold in the cherries with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula.
- Separate the dough into two balls. Press each on the prepared baking sheet into a 12-inch circle. Cut into 8 wedges. Separate the triangles so there is room between them.
- Bake the scones for 20-25 minutes until golden. Let cool completely.
Mel
Do I add the egg yolk with the half and half?
Taryn
Yes, I will edit to clarify 🙂