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Scones · Spring & Summer

Apricot Stilton Scones

Recipe by Nigel Clease Kitchen-tested
Scones 4 min read

Moist savoury scones packed with fresh apricots, crumbled Stilton, thyme and buttermilk—ideal for picnics or afternoon tea.

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Apricot Stilton Scones – preparation step 14
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Apricot stilton scones are great for a picnic, afternoon tea, or a party. Made with fresh apricots, crumbled stilton, thyme, and buttermilk they are moist and packed full of flavour.

They are great on their own or spread with lashings of butter.

You might also like my Tahini and carrot scones, or my Hungarian wild garlic scones recipes.

Ingredients

For this recipe, all you need are these ingredients:

  • Plain or all-purpose flour
  • Butter
  • Baking powder
  • Baking soda
  • Thyme (fresh or dried)
  • Buttermilk
  • Fresh apricots 
  • Stilton cheese
  • Medium egg
  • Parmesan cheese (grated)
  • Salt – I highly recommend adding salt to your doughs and pastry. Salt helps balance out the sweetness and richness. It also elevates the other ingredients, bringing out the best characteristics of any recipe. I recommend using sea salt, Maldon Sea salt flakes or Cornish sea salt.

Variations

  • Spicy: If you like things spicy add 1 -2 tsp of flaked chilli to the mix.
  • Apricots: If you cannot find apricots or you want to make this recipe during the festive season, replace the fresh apricots with dried ones.

Tools You’ll Need

  • Pyrex Glass Measuring Jug, 1L – I think I have said it before that I am not a big fan of plastic, so I like this type of glass measuring jug for calculating my liquids.
  • Pastry Brush – This brush is both flexible and durable, being able to withstanding extreme temperatures.
  • Measuring Spoons – I recommend these magnetic stainless steel measuring spoons for accurately measuring small quantities of ingredients. Their narrow shape fits comfortably inside most spice jars, while the magnetic handles keep the set neatly together for easy storage. You can find them and more of my favourite baking equipment in my Amazon Baking Essentials collection.

Nutrition

Serving: one apricot stilton scone

Apricot Stilton Scones – preparation step 13

Storage and Freezing

These scones will keep well at room temperature for 2 days or in the refrigerator for 5 days. They are best reheated before serving. Warm on a baking sheet in the oven 150°C (300°F) for 5 minutes.

Freezing: These delicious scones can be frozen before baking or after. Place them on a tray that fits in your freezer and once frozen place them in a bag and seal they keep well for up to 3 months.

Apricot Stilton Scones – preparation step 7
Apricot Stilton Scones – preparation step 8
Apricot Stilton Scones – preparation step 4

Apricot Stilton Scones

Preparation:15 minutes
Baking:12 minutes
Resting:45 minutes
Total:1 hour 12 minutes
Servings: 16 scones
Apricot stilton scones are great for a picnic, afternoon tea or a party. Made with fresh apricots, crumbled stilton, thyme and buttermilk they are moist and packed full of flavour.
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INGREDIENTS LIST
 

  • 400 g plain flour (all-purpose)
  • 100 g butter
  • 1 tsp fine sea salt
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 0.5 tsp bicarbonate of soda / baking soda
  • 1 tsp thyme (fresh or dried)
  • 120 ml buttermilk
  • 150 g fresh apricots (diced, see notes)
  • 100 g stilton cheese
  • 1 medium egg (50g total)
  • 20 g parmesan cheese (grated)

Preparation
 

  • Dough: In a large bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
  • Dice the butter into small squares and add to the flour mix. Gently work the butter into the flour using your fingertips until the mixture looks like fine bread crumbs.
    Alternatively, all the above ingredients can be placed in a food processor and pulse.
  • Add the thyme, and the buttermilk to the flour mix, using a knife combine the ingredients.
    Apricot Stilton Scones
  • Cut the fresh apricots and crumble the stilton cheese into small pieces about half a centimetre in diameter, they don't need to be perfect. Add this to the mix and using your hands gently bring the mix together to form a dough ball.
    Apricot Stilton Scones – preparation step 10
  • Resting the dough: Flaten the dough slightly, wrap it in clingfilm and place in the fridge for 30 minutes to rest.
  • Place the dough onto a floured surface, gently roll the dough out to about 3 cm (1.18inch) thick. The dough will be a little sticky as we are using fresh apricots but don't worry, just dust with a little more flour.
  • Use a 5 cm round cookie cutter or a sharp knife, to cut out rounds or triangles from the dough.
    Apricot Stilton Scones – preparation step 9
  • Reshape any leftover dough into a rough rectangle and roll out again to 3 cm thick. Cut out as many rounds from the remaining dough as you can. You should end up with 12 to 15 scones.
  • Flip the scones over (the bottom is usually flatter and more attractive) and place them on a tray for 15 minutes in the freezer.
  • Preheat oven to 180°C fan / 400°F / Gas 6.
  • Remove from the freezer and arrange the scones on a baking tray lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat, 3-4 cm apart.
  • Brush lightly with a beaten egg and scatter over the grated parmesan.
  • Baking: Bake for 15 to 18 minutes or until golden brown around the edges and lightly browned on top.
  • Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack.

Notes & Tips

Apricots: This recipe requires 150 g of prepared fresh apricot, which is approximately 200g of whole apricots around 3-6 pieces, depending on size. The apricots should be firm and not too ripe or they will make the dough very wet and unmalleable.
If you can’t find apricots or you want to make this recipe during the festive season, replace the fresh apricots with 150g dried ones.
Buttermilk: If you don’t have buttermilk, add 1 teaspoon of white vinegar or rice vinegar to 120 ml of milk, stir and leave to stand for 15 minutes before using.

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