Michigan Cherry Vanilla Bean Scones
There’s something special about the combination of sweet Michigan cherries and fragrant vanilla bean baked into a tender, buttery scone. These Michigan Cherry Vanilla Bean Scones are packed with dried tart cherries, flecks of real vanilla bean, and finished with a simple vanilla glaze for a bakery-style treat you can easily make at home. Whether you’re serving them for breakfast, brunch, a bridal shower, or an afternoon coffee break, these homemade cherry scones deliver the perfect balance of sweet, tart, and buttery flavors in every bite.
I made Michigan Cherry Vanilla Bean Scones. I know. I know. I’m a scone head. I love me a nice scone and a cup-a-joe.If you bake, even just once a year, please know this really good vanilla will make all the difference in your product. Real vanilla extract, fragrant, rich, dark beautiful vanilla. Vanilla is an ingredient that should not be taken for granted!
Can you see the tiny flecks of vanilla bean through out the scone. Luverly little scone wouldn’t you say?
What are you all up to this weekend? Are there any scones in your plans? Yard work? Soccer games? Bedroom painting? I’d love to hear what you are up to!
From your table to mine with love, Sheila
Michigan Cherry Vanilla Bean Scones
Ingredients
- 3 cups flour + more for shaping
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup cold butter cubed
- 4 ounces cold cream cheese 1/2 a brick
- 1 whole egg
- 1 tbsp Vanilla Bean Paste
- 1 cups Half and Half or milk
- 1 cup roughly chopped Dried Cherries
icing
- 1 cup Powdered Sugar
- a dash of Salt
- 1 tbsp butter
- 2 tablespoons half and half
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
Instructions
- Combine dry ingredients in a mixing bowl. Flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Cut cold butter into small cubes. Add butter cubes and 4 ounces of cold cream cheese to dry ingredients. Cut with a pastry cutter into dry ingredients. (You can also use your hands, to combine dry ingredients with the fats, however your hands may be too hot.) You want the mixture to be the consistency of oatmeal.
- Rough chop 1 cup of dried cherries, add to flour mixture and toss.
- Measure half and half into a 2 cup measuring cup, add in vanilla bean paste and egg, whisk to combine. .
- Make a well in dry ingredients, pour in the wet, fold to combine.
- Stop when you have dough barely combined. You do not want to over work dough. Dust counter top heavily with flour. Pour scone dough out on to flour dusted counter top. Using your hand or a dough cutter to bring dough together.
- Line baking sheet with parchment paper. Place dough on parchment and form into a rectangle 1 inch thick. Place baking sheet in the freezer for 20-30 minutes.
- While scones are resting in the freezer preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Remove from freezer, scones should feel very cold to the touch and just firm on the surface, like they are starting to freeze, but not all the way through. With a sharp knife score /cut the scone dough into 8 equal pieces cutting about half way through.
- Place in in preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. If you have a digital read thermometer the internal temp should be between 190-200℉.
- Remove from oven and lift off baking sheet by picking up parchment paper at both ends, place on a cooking wrack.
- Whisk icing ingredients together until smooth, drizzle over cooled scones.
I’ve always thought scones were on the dry side (which is why I’m not a huge fan) but yours look incredibly moist and tender. I think I need to try your recipe and rethink the whole scone thing.
Renee, I can’t stand a crumbly scone either! Mine are definitely moist and tender. Just like a sweet biscuit! I hope you give them a try. Thanks for stopping in ; D
I adore scones but I’ve never made them with cream cheese. My recipe has sour cream, and I can’t wait to try yours. Totally agree about the importance of good vanilla. My pantry is filled with vanillas. It’s a bit of an addiction: I have double strength from Penzey’s and my fave is vanilla bean paste. The kids know not to use it without asking. It’s as expensive as caviar!
I go through so much vanilla. LOVE. And these scones are seriously tempting me. They look delish!
Scones are a weakness of mine….that and pie. Why can’t running marathons be my weakness….sheesh! thanks for stopping by, Sheila
Beautiful! Love the specks!
Oh my goodness – my mom LOVES scones!!! I’m going to save this for a special occasion. 🙂
Shelia,
You amaze me. Inspire me. Even if I’ve been silently stalking you. 😉
I’ll be making these tomorrow for breakfast – the only thing I don’t have in the house is the vanilla bean. It will prepare me for a day of football. Our oldest has his first playoff game of the season tomorrow, and then we’ll be watching Boise State Football.
Hope you have a great weekend.
Michele
Oh a day of football, what could be better? I bet if you added vanilla extract to the milk, it would be yummy too! They are super moist. I hope you make them and enjoy! Have a great weekend, and as always thanks for stalking ; D