Yeast extract gives a deep savoury flavour to these tasty pinwheel cheddar cheese scones – perfect for afternoon tea or a simple snack
Ingredients
- 450g plain flour, plus extra for dusting
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 3 tsp yeast extract
- 1 large egg
- about 250ml milk
- 1 tbsp sunflower oil
- 140g mature cheddar, grated
- 100g full-fat cream cheese
Method
-
Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7 and dust a baking tray with a little flour. Mix the flour and baking powder in a large bowl. Put 1 tsp yeast extract in a jug, add the egg and make up to 300ml with the milk. Stir in the oil, then beat really well to dissolve the yeast extract.
-
Tip 85g of the cheddar into a bowl and mix with the cream cheese and remaining yeast extract to make a spread. Toss the rest of the cheese through the flour mixture, then pour in the milk mixture and stir with the blade of a knife until it comes together. (You need to work quickly once you’ve added the liquid, as it activates the baking powder.) Tip onto a lightly floured work surface and gently knead the mix, taking care not to overwork it, as it will make the scones heavy.
-
Press or lightly roll the dough into an oblong about 20 x 25cm. Spread with the yeast extract mixture and roll up from the longest side to create a tight, fat cylinder. Pat the ends of the cylinder to straighten them, then slice into 8 pinwheels and put on the baking tray, patting them to make flattish rounds. Bake for 12-15 mins until golden and cooked.
-
Leave for a few mins on the tray to allow the cheese centre to harden a little, then transfer to a wire rack to cool. Eat warm or cold. Best eaten on the day they are made.