Michigan Cherry Vanilla Bean Scones

There’s something irresistible about a warm, buttery scone studded with tart Michigan cherries and fragrant vanilla. These Michigan Cherry Vanilla Bean Scones are tender and flaky on the inside, golden brown on the outside, and finished with a sweet vanilla glaze. The combination of dried cherries and vanilla bean paste gives this cherry scone recipe plenty of flavor without making it complicated.

If you’ve always thought homemade scones were dry or difficult to make, give these a try. The key to the perfect scone is working with cold butter, keeping a light touch when bringing the scone dough together, and giving the unbaked scones a quick rest in the freezer before baking. Serve these warm cherry scones for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon tea, or make a batch to share with friends and family.

I love Scones!

I made Michigan Cherry Vanilla Bean Scones. I know, I know… I’m a bit of a scone head. Give me a tender, buttery scone and a cup of coffee, and I’m a happy girl. But there’s one ingredient I never take for granted when I bake: vanilla. If you bake—even just once or twice a year—please use a really good vanilla. Real vanilla extract is fragrant, rich, and full of that deep, beautiful vanilla flavor that can make all the difference in your baked goods. Vanilla may seem like a small ingredient, but it should never be overlooked!

Gather these ingredients

How to Make Michigan Cherry Vanilla Bean Scones

1. Combine the dry ingredients. In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cup sugar, baking powder, and salt. This is your flour mixture.

2. Cut in the cold butter and break cream cheese into small pieces. Add the cold, cubed butter and cold cream cheese to the dry ingredients. Use a pastry cutter to work the fats into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse oatmeal.

If your hands aren’t too warm and you work quickly, you can use your fingertips to gently work the butter and cream cheese into the dry ingredients. However, if the mixture starts to feel sticky or goopy, or you notice the butter beginning to melt, pop the bowl into the freezer for about 10 minutes. Then continue using a pastry cutter or fork rather than your hands. Keeping the butter cold is key to getting tender, flaky scones!

3. Add the cherries. Roughly chop the dried cherries and toss them into the flour mixture, making sure they are evenly distributed.

4. Mix the wet ingredients. In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the egg, half-and-half, and vanilla bean paste.

5. Bring the dough together. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the wet ingredients. Gently fold everything together until a soft scone dough forms. Use a light touch and avoid overmixing.

6. Shape the scones. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently bring it together. A bench scraper is helpful for shaping the dough without overworking it. Form the dough into a rectangle about 1 inch thick.

Chill. Transfer the dough to a prepared baking sheet lined with a piece of parchment paper. Place the sheet pan in the freezer for 20–30 minutes. The dough should be very cold and firm before baking.

7. Cut the scones. Remove the chilled dough from the freezer and use a sharp knife or bench scraper to cut it into eight pieces. You can cut all the way through or lightly score the top of the scone dough before baking.

8. Bake. Place scones in a preheated 400°F oven and bake until the tops of the scones are golden brown, about 20–25 minutes. The exact bake time can vary slightly depending on your oven.

10. Glaze and serve. Transfer the baked scones to a cooling rack. Once they have cooled, drizzle the vanilla glaze over the top. Then comes the best part—serve your warm cherry scones with coffee or tea and enjoy!

 

 

For the love of Scones!

These Michigan Cherry Vanilla Bean Scones are proof that homemade scones don’t have to be complicated. With cold butter, tart dried cherries, rich vanilla bean paste, and a simple vanilla glaze, you get tender, flaky scones with beautiful golden brown tops every time. Whether you’re making them for a leisurely weekend breakfast, an afternoon tea, or simply because you want something special with your coffee, this cherry scone recipe is one you’ll want to keep coming back to.

If you make these scones, I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a comment and a five-star rating in the recipe card, and if you love them as much as I do, share the recipe with a friend or save it to Pinterest so you can find it the next time you’re craving homemade scones.

 From your table to mine with love, Sheila