Cream Cheese Pretzel Drop Scones Recipe

Introduction

Cream Cheese Pretzel Drop Scones are a delightful twist on classic scones, combining the tangy richness of cream cheese with the crunchy, salty pretzel topping. They bake up golden and crisp on the outside while staying tender inside, perfect for breakfast or a savory snack.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 4 ounces cream cheese, cold and cubed
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 2/3 cup whole milk
• 1 large egg
• 1/3 cup water
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 egg yolk, beaten
• 2 tablespoons coarse pretzel salt or flaky sea salt

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, fine sea salt, and sugar until fully combined.
3. Step 3: Add the cold cream cheese and butter to the dry ingredients. Use a pastry cutter or fork to cut them in until the mixture resembles coarse, pea-sized crumbs.
4. Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk the whole milk and egg together until smooth. Pour this wet mixture into the dry ingredients and gently stir to form a soft dough. Avoid overmixing to keep the scones tender.
5. Step 5: Use a large spoon or ice cream scoop to drop 8 equal mounds of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly apart.
6. Step 6: In a small saucepan, bring the water to a boil. Stir in the baking soda carefully (the mixture will bubble). Remove from heat.
7. Step 7: Using a pastry brush, generously coat the tops and sides of each dough mound with the hot baking soda solution. This helps create the characteristic pretzel crust.
8. Step 8: Brush each scone with the beaten egg yolk, then sprinkle generously with coarse pretzel salt or flaky sea salt.
9. Step 9: Bake in the preheated oven for 14 to 16 minutes, until the scones turn deep golden brown. Let them cool slightly before serving.

Tips & Variations

• Make sure the cream cheese and butter are cold to achieve a flaky texture.
• For added flavor, sprinkle some shredded cheddar or chopped herbs into the dough before baking.
• If you prefer a softer pretzel crust, reduce the baking soda bath to 30 seconds instead of fully boiling it.
• Use flaky sea salt if you want a milder salt crunch compared to coarse pretzel salt.

Storage

Store leftover scones in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, freeze them wrapped tightly for up to 1 month. Reheat in a warm oven for about 5-7 minutes to restore their crispness.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use low-fat cream cheese or butter?

For best results, use full-fat cream cheese and unsalted butter to maintain the rich flavor and tender texture of the scones.

What can I substitute for pretzel salt?

If pretzel salt is unavailable, coarse sea salt or kosher salt works well as a topping to provide a nice salty crunch.

Cream Cheese Pretzel Drop Scones Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 60 reviews

• Author: Ethan
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 8 scones 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

These Cream Cheese Pretzel Drop Scones are a delightful fusion of soft, tangy cream cheese scones with the classic salty crunch of pretzels. With a tender crumb and a shiny, salted pretzel crust created by a baking soda bath and egg wash, they make a perfect savory breakfast or snack.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dry Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar

Fat and Dairy

• 4 ounces cream cheese, cold and cubed
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 2/3 cup whole milk
• 1 large egg
• 1 egg yolk, beaten

Pretzel Wash

• 1/3 cup water
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 tablespoons coarse pretzel salt or flaky sea salt

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Instructions

1. Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure the scones do not stick during baking.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, fine sea salt, and granulated sugar until fully combined, creating an even base for the dough.
3. Cut in Fat: Add the cold, cubed cream cheese and unsalted butter to the dry ingredients. Use a pastry cutter or fork to cut them into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse, pea-sized crumbs, which ensures a tender and flaky texture.
4. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate small bowl, whisk the whole milk and large egg until smooth. Pour this wet mixture into the dry ingredients gently stir just until a soft dough forms, being careful not to overmix to keep the scones light.
5. Portion Dough: Using a large spoon or ice cream scoop, drop 8 equal mounds of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly to allow room for rising.
6. Pretzel Wash: In a small saucepan, bring the water to a boil, then stir in the baking soda. The mixture will bubble vigorously. Remove from heat and, using a pastry brush, generously coat the tops and sides of each dough mound with this baking soda solution, which helps develop the pretzel-style crust.
7. Egg Wash and Salt: Brush each scone with the beaten egg yolk to give a glossy finish. Then sprinkle generously with coarse pretzel salt or flaky sea salt to enhance the pretzel flavor and add crunch.
8. Bake: Bake the scones at 425°F (220°C) for 14 to 16 minutes, until they turn a deep golden brown. Remove from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving for best texture and flavor.

Notes

• Use cold cream cheese and butter to achieve the best flaky texture in your scones.
• Be precise with the baking soda bath, as it’s essential for creating the authentic pretzel crust.
• Do not overmix the dough to keep the scones tender.
• You can substitute pretzel salt with coarse sea salt if unavailable.
• Serve warm with butter or your favorite savory spread.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snack
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: Cream Cheese Pretzel Drop Scones, pretzel scones, savory scones, breakfast scones, soft pretzel scones, cream cheese scones