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Cream Cheese Pretzel Drop Scones Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 60 reviews
  • Author: Ethan
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 8 scones 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

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

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Find it online: https://theethankitchen.com/cream-cheese-pretzel-drop-scones-recipe/