Strawberry Cream Cheese Scones

This Strawberry Cream Cheese Scone recipe combines the classic buttery goodness of scones with the irresistible combination of sweet strawberries and cream cheese. The addition of cream cheese adds a delightful tang and contributes to the scone’s incredibly moist and tender texture. Topped with a vibrant strawberry glaze, these scones are a feast for the eyes and the taste buds.

Ingredients for Strawberry Cream Cheese Scones

For the Scones:

• 2 cups flour
• ½ cup granulated sugar + 1 Tbsp
• 1 Tbsp baking powder
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• ½ cup cold butter, cubed
• 1 ½ cups chopped fresh strawberries
• 2 eggs
• ½ cup full-fat sour cream
• 2 tsp vanilla extract (or vanilla bean paste)
• ½ cup cream cheese

For the Strawberry Glaze:

• ¾ cup powdered sugar
• 1 Tbsp freeze-dried strawberry powder
• 2 Tbsp water
• 1 tsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
• 1 pinch salt

Directions for Strawberry Cream Cheese Scones

Preheat & prep:

1.   Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Cube butter and cream cheese (separately) and refrigerate.  Cold fats are key for flaky scones!
3. Chop strawberries into small pieces, toss with 1 Tbsp sugar, and set aside.  This helps draw out some of the juices and intensifies the strawberry flavor.

mix the dry ingredeints:

1. In a food processor, pulse together flour, ½ cup sugar, baking powder, and salt.
2. Add the cold butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining. If you don’t have a food processor, use a pastry cutter for this step.
3. Pour the flour-butter mixture into a large mixing bowl. 

combine the wet ingredients:

1. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, sour cream, and vanilla extract (or vanilla bean paste) until well combined

assemble the dough:

1. Gently add the sugared strawberries to the flour mixture in the large bowl and toss with your hands to distribute them evenly.
2. Pour the egg mixture into the bowl with the flour and strawberries. Gently stir until the mixture is almost fully incorporated. Be careful not to overmix!
3. Retrieve the cold cubed cream cheese from the refrigerator and scatter the cubes across the top of the scone batter. Gently fold the cream cheese into the batter until all the dry ingredients are just moistened and the cream cheese is somewhat distributed throughout. It’s okay if there are still some visible chunks of cream cheese – this will create delicious pockets of creaminess in your scones.

portion and chill:

1. Using a slightly heaping 1/4​ cup ice cream scoop, drop 8 mounds of dough onto a prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly apart (similar to making drop biscuits). Repeat step as needed.
2. Place the baking sheets in the refrigerator to chill for at least 20 minutes before baking. This step is crucial for preventing the scones from spreading too much and helps them bake beautifully.

Bake to Golden Perfection:

• Bake in the preheated 400°F (200°C) oven for approximately 18 minutes, or until the tops of the scones are lightly golden brown.

PREPAre and apply the strawberry glaze:

1. While the scones are baking, prepare the glaze. Start by turning your freeze-dried strawberries into a powder.  Simply, place your freeze-dried strawberries into a plastic bag and roll over them with a rolling pin until they are pulverized into a powder.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, freeze-dried strawberry powder, water, vanilla extract (or vanilla bean paste), and a pinch of salt (if using).
3. The glaze should be thin enough to pour but thick enough to stick to the scones. Adjust the consistency by adding more water or powdered sugar as needed.
4. Once the scones are baked, let them cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool slightly further. While the scones are still warm, generously drizzle them with the prepared strawberry glaze. For a sweeter treat, you can also brush the glaze over the entire surface of the scones. If you’d like to add an extra touch of sparkle, sprinkle with sanding sugar.

Enjoy these delicious strawberry cream cheese scones:

• These Strawberry Cream Cheese Scones are best freshly baked for optimal freshness and texture. However, you can prepare the dough the day before, portion it onto baking sheets, cover it with plastic wrap, store it in the refrigerator, and bake it the next morning!

tips for Perfect scones:

• Keep Ingredients Cold: Using cold butter and cream cheese is essential for achieving a flaky and tender scone. Don’t skip the chilling step!
• Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the dough will result in tough scones. Mix just until the wet and dry ingredients are combined.
• Handle Gently: Be gentle when incorporating the strawberries and cream cheese to avoid crushing the berries and overworking the dough.
• Freeze-Dried Strawberry Powder: Using freeze-dried strawberry powder in the glaze intensifies the strawberry flavor and adds a beautiful natural color. If you can’t find it, you can use a little extra water or strawberry juice for the glaze, but the color and flavor might be less intense.
• Customize Your Scones: Feel free to add other mix-ins like white chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or a hint of lemon zest for an extra layer of flavor.
• Storage: Although these are best served fresh, you can store leftover scones in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.  Try warming them in the microwave on 50% power for just a few seconds

Why You’ll Love These Strawberry Cream Cheese Scones:

Easy to Make:  Drop-style scones mean less fuss, more flavor.  This recipe uses a food processor for quick and effortless mixing.
Incredibly Flavorful: The combination of fresh strawberries, tangy cream cheese, and a hint of vanilla is simply divine.
Soft and Tender: The inclusion of sour cream and cold butter ensures a beautifully soft and crumbly texture.
Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a casual brunch or a special gathering, these scones are always a hit.
Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prepare the dough the evening before your gathering and bake it fresh in the morning.  They are simply irresistible when served warm!