Mary Berry Cherry Scones Recipe

Name: Mary Berry Cherry Scones Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 450g self-raising flour; 2 tsp baking powder; 75g caster sugar; 100g unsalted butter, chilled and cubed; 100g glacé cherries, chopped; 2 large eggs; 200ml milk; Extra milk for glazing; A little flour for dusting

Mary Berry Cherry Scones are a classic British teatime treat made with a light, buttery dough and sweet glacé cherries. These scones bake up beautifully golden on the outside while staying soft and fluffy in the center. They have a delicate sweetness and a rich buttery flavor that pairs perfectly with butter, jam, or clotted cream. This easy recipe is beginner-friendly and takes about 30 minutes from start to finish.

Ingredients

For the Cherry Scones

450g self-raising flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
75g caster sugar
100g unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
100g glacé cherries, rinsed, dried, and chopped
2 large eggs
200ml milk

For Finishing

Extra milk for glazing
A little flour for dusting

How to Make Mary Berry Cherry Scones Recipe

Prepare the oven: Preheat the oven to 220°C or 200°C fan. Line a large baking tray with baking parchment and set aside.
Mix the dry ingredients: Add the self-raising flour, baking powder, and caster sugar to a large mixing bowl. Stir well to combine.
Rub in the butter: Add the chilled butter cubes and rub them into the flour mixture using your fingertips until it resembles fine breadcrumbs.
Add the cherries: Stir the chopped glacé cherries evenly through the mixture so every scone gets plenty of fruit.
Make the dough: Beat the eggs together with the milk. Pour into the dry ingredients and mix gently until a soft dough forms.
Shape the dough: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Gently knead once or twice, then pat out to about 2cm thick.
Cut the scones: Use a round cutter to cut out scones. Place them on the prepared baking tray, leaving space between each one.
Glaze the tops: Brush the tops lightly with milk for a golden finish.
Bake: Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until well risen and golden brown.
Cool and serve: Transfer the scones to a wire rack and allow them to cool slightly before serving.

Tips for the Best Cherry Scones

Why are my scones not rising properly?

Make sure your baking powder is fresh and avoid twisting the cutter when cutting out the scones.

Should I wash glacé cherries before using them?

Yes. Rinse and dry them well to remove excess syrup and prevent color bleeding into the dough.

How do I keep scones soft?

Handle the dough gently and avoid overmixing. Overworked dough can produce dense scones.

Can I make them sweeter?

You can increase the sugar slightly or add a light icing drizzle after baking.

Serving Suggestions

Serve warm with butter.
Enjoy with strawberry jam and clotted cream.
Pair with a cup of tea or coffee.
Serve as part of an afternoon tea spread.
Add fresh berries on the side.

Storage

Room Temperature

Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days. They are best enjoyed fresh.

Refrigerator

Keep in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Warm slightly before serving.

Freezing

Freeze cooled scones in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature and reheat gently before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 245 kcal
Carbohydrates: 34g
Protein: 5g
Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Sodium: 210mg

Nutritional values are estimates and may vary depending on ingredients used.

FAQs

Can I use fresh cherries instead of glacé cherries?

Yes, but fresh cherries contain more moisture. Pat them dry thoroughly before adding them to the dough.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes. Prepare the dough, cover it, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.

Why are my cherry scones dense?

Dense scones are usually caused by overmixing or overhandling the dough.

Can I freeze unbaked scones?

Yes. Freeze them on a tray first, then transfer to a freezer bag and bake from frozen with a few extra minutes of baking time.