Best White Chocolate Cherry Scones

My husband and I welcomed in 2020 with a failed cesspool. These are not words any homeowner wants to hear. These are expensive words. Very expensive words. We recently learned the cesspool actually failed years ago before we lived here, so it was only a matter of time before the crap started (pun intended). Not only that but the resulting damage means we now have to pull up our living room floor. For a few weeks it was one thing after another as my husband and I took shifts using the bathroom and shower while the other stood by to watch for flooding downstairs. Arghhhh! The initial shock is now over, and we have our good humor back. For the moment things are stable and holding while we wait for a bid for a new system. So, while we wait I wanted to share my recipe for Best White Chocolate Cherry Scones.

This recipe uses one of my favorite recipes that I have been making for years: scones. My basic scone recipe is so yummy and so reliable and so versatile. For Valentine’s Day I created a white chocolate cherry scone variation that is perfect for the day! These scones have a slight crispiness on the outside and a really moist middle. Tart dried cherry and chunks of white chocolate add a gourmet touch. And while I usually make my scones a triangle shape, I decided to make hearts today using a baking mold. They can be served for a Valentine’s Day breakfast, for a snack, coffee, etc. The heart shape really makes it extra special. Even if you aren’t a pro baker, I recommend this recipe because you will impress yourself!

Best White Chocolate Cherry Scones

Makes approx. 6-8 large scones depending on the shape.

This recipe is very easily doubled or tripled. However, there are a couple of tips to remember: while the scone dough is not particularly sensitive to handling, I still recommend not overhandling it, especially after adding whip cream. Mix until combined, knead a few times, and then stop. Another thing to note is the brushing of the scone before baking with whipping cream. I don’t recommend omitting this because it gives your scone a slight pleasing crispiness on the outside.

2 cups white flour

1/3 cup sugar

1/3 cup butter (room temperature)

1/2 tsp. sea salt

1 tbsp. baking powder

1 cup whipping cream (not heavy)

1/2 cup dried tart cherries

7 oz white chocolate broken into small chunks, divided.

3 tbsps. whipping cream for brushing

Sparkling sugar (optional)

Start by combining flour, sugar, sea salt, and baking powder in mixer. Add butter and cut in until mixture is fine crumbs. Using paddle attachment add whipping cream and then cherries and 4 oz. of the white chocolate chunks. Mix until combined. Remove dough and knead several times on a floured surface. Pat into a circle 3/4 inch thick. Cut heart shapes or triangles if you don’t have a cutter. Put shapes on ungreased, parchment lined baking sheet. Brush the tops of scones with whipping cream and sprinkle with sparkling sugar if desired. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes or until edges are starting to lightly brown. Remove from oven and cool. Melt remaining 3 oz. of white chocolate and drizzle over cooled scones. Let set. Enjoy!