Cheese Scones Recipe (With Pear & Rosemary)

This easy cheese scones recipe is light, fluffy, and filled with the savory richness of cheddar cheese, sweet bites of pear, and a hint of fresh rosemary. These scones are made with pantry staples, cold butter, and heavy cream for that perfect golden crust and tender crumb. Drop-style and fuss-free, no rolling or cutting needed. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just getting started, this cheddar cheese scone recipe is your new go-to for a cozy, elevated bake.

Table of Contents

• Why You’ll Love This Cheese Scones Recipe
• Ingredients for the Best Cheese Scones
• Substitutions & Variations
• How to Make This Easy Cheese Scone Recipe
• How to Store & Freeze Cheese Scones
• Other Scone Recipes You’ll Love
• Final Thoughts
• Connect with Me

It’s officially pear season, and I can’t resist folding fresh fruit into simple baking recipes, especially when they’re already warm and savory. These cheese scones came together one afternoon when I had a few too-ripe pears and a bag of Cracker Barrel Double Cheddar staring at me from the fridge. I’ve tested dozens of cheese scone recipes over the years, but adding diced pear and fresh rosemary gave these a totally new flavor profile: sweet, savory, and aromatic all at once.

I tested this recipe multiple times to make sure the texture was just right. The result is a soft, moist scone with golden edges and rich cheese flavor in every bite. These scones are not dry, not overly sweet, and definitely not bland. It’s the kind of easy cheese scone you can bake for breakfast, serve with soup, or even bring to a fall brunch with friends.

Why You’ll Love This Cheese Scones Recipe

As a lifestyle and entertaining expert and recipe developer for food brands, I specialize in simple recipes with elevated flavor, using seasonal ingredients you already have in your kitchen. These scones are:

• Quick and no-fuss — No rolling, no cutting. Just mix, scoop, and bake.
• Sweet and savory — The pears add a soft sweetness that pairs beautifully with the cheese.
• Perfect for beginners — If you’ve never made scones before, this recipe is a great place to start.
• Tested and perfected — With each test batch, I fine-tuned the balance of sweetness, salt, and texture so you don’t have to.

Whether you serve them warm with butter, a drizzle of honey (highly recommend), or just as-is, these scones are one of those cozy bakes that make your kitchen smell amazing, and taste even better.

Ingredients for the Best Cheese Scones

These scones use classic scone base ingredients with a few seasonal and flavorful upgrades:

• All-purpose flour – Measured carefully for light, fluffy scones. For gluten-free, you can use a 1:1 gluten free flour blend.
• Baking powder – Essential for that rise and soft crumb. Make sure it’s fresh!
• Sugar + Salt – Just enough sugar to balance the savory, and salt to enhance the flavors.
• Cold unsalted butter – Cut into cubes and blended into the dry ingredients until crumbly. Cold butter = flaky layers.
• Heavy cream + egg – These bind the dough and create rich, tender scones.
• Cheddar cheese – I use Cracker Barrel Double Cheddar, but any mature cheddar works beautifully.
• Ripe pears – Diced and gently folded into the dough. Use pears that are just soft, not mushy.
• Fresh rosemary – Finely chopped. You can swap in thyme or leave it out for a simpler scone.

Substitutions & Variations

These cheddar cheese scones are endlessly adaptable:

• No pears? Use diced apples or leave them out entirely.
• No rosemary? Fresh thyme or sage are lovely alternatives. Or go herb-free for a classic cheese scone.
• More savory? Add a pinch of black pepper or chili flakes to the dry ingredients.
• Add-ins: Chopped walnuts, bacon bits, or caramelized onions for a deeper savory bite.
• Gluten free cheese scones: Use a 1:1 gluten free flour and chill the dough well before baking.
• Make it a full scone recipe: Add ¼ cup more flour and shape the dough into a round, then cut into wedges before baking.

How to Make This Easy Cheese Scone Recipe

Yields: About 10–12 scones

Ingredients

• 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• ½ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
• ½ cup heavy cream (plus more for brushing)
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup Cracker Barrel Double Cheddar, shredded
• 2 ripe pears, diced
• 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder.
3. Cut in butter: Use a pastry cutter, two forks, or your fingers to work in the cold butter until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs.
4. Combine wet ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together heavy cream and egg. Pour into dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
5. Fold in cheese, pears, and rosemary: Gently mix until evenly incorporated. Don’t overmix.
6. Shape the scones: Scoop ¼ cup mounds of dough onto the prepared baking sheet.
7. Chill: Refrigerate for 30 minutes to help the scones keep their shape and texture.
8. Brush and bake: Brush tops with extra cream and bake for 20–25 minutes, until golden around the edges.
9. Cool slightly and serve warm with butter or a drizzle of honey.

How to Store & Freeze Cheese Scones

• Store: Keep leftover scones in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the fridge for up to 5.
• Freeze: Wrap baked scones individually and freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven at 300°F for 8–10 minutes.
• Make ahead: You can make and shape the dough the day before, refrigerate overnight, and bake fresh the next day.

Other Scone Recipes You’ll Love

• Spiced Cranberry Walnut and White Chocolate Scones
• Apple & White Chocolate Scones
• Bacon, Cheddar and Chive Scones
• Best Cheddar Cheese and Caramelized Onion Scones Recipe
• Easy Cranberry and White Chocolate Scones Recipe

Final Thoughts

These cheese scones are one of those unexpected bakes that feel like a little luxury. The pears add softness, the rosemary adds depth, and the cheddar makes them deeply comforting. Whether you’re baking for brunch, a snack, or just because it’s fall and you have a bowl of pears waiting to be used — this cheese scones recipe will absolutely deliver.

And as someone who develops recipes for home cooks and food brands alike, I can confidently say this is one of those “save it to make again” recipes.

If you make it, don’t forget to tag me on social media or leave a comment below. I’d love to hear how they turned out for you!

Connect with Me

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