Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese Scones

If you’re craving a savory scone that’s packed with rich flavor, these Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese Scones are just what you need! 

Flaky, golden, and bursting with the sweet depth of caramelized onions, these scones are balanced perfectly with the tang of goat cheese. 

The frozen grated butter gives them a light and tender texture, while the goat cheese brings a delightful creaminess.

Whether served warm with a sprinkle of thyme or a dollop of whipped butter, these scones are sure to elevate your brunch game and impress at your next gathering. 

Perfect for lazy weekend mornings or sharing with friends, they’ll quickly become your new favorite!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese Scones strike the perfect balance between savory and slightly sweet, thanks to the golden caramelized onions nestled inside. 

With layers of flaky, buttery dough that melt in your mouth and a crispy, lightly browned topping of creamy goat cheese, they’re simply irresistible. 

The combination of delicate, tender layers and the rich tang of goat cheese creates a texture and flavor contrast that will keep you coming back for more.

Whether you’re enjoying them as a breakfast treat, a savory snack, or paired with a steaming bowl of soup, they’re guaranteed to be a hit. 

Ingredients

Caramelized Onions

• Olive Oil and Butter: The base for perfectly caramelized onions, adding richness and helping them cook evenly.
• Onions: They turn sweet and golden as they cook down to perfection. Look for yellow or sweet onions for the best taste and texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Just a little to help the onions achieve that deep caramelization.
• Pepper: Adds a hint of warmth and spice, balancing the sweetness of the onions.

Scones

• Bread Flour: The structure of the scone, giving it a light, flaky texture that holds up to the toppings. You can use plain/all-purpose flour if that’s all you have, but they won’t be as tall. 
• Baking Powder: Ensures the scones rise beautifully, creating a tender and airy bite. Yes, you really need 1 tablespoon.
• Fresh Thyme: The herbaceous note that complements the sweetness of the onions and the tangy goat cheese.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds a subtle sweetness and helps the edges turn golden.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor, making the savory and sweet elements pop.
• Cold or Frozen Butter: The key to the scones’ flaky layers, creating pockets of richness as it melts during baking. Grab it right out of the fridge or freezer.
• Egg: Adds richness and helps bind the ingredients together for a tender, cohesive dough.
• Whole Milk: Brings moisture and tenderness to the dough, ensuring a soft interior.
• Goat Cheese: Creamy, tangy, and slightly tart, it adds an indulgent richness to every bite of the scone.

How to Make Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese Scones

I absolutely adore making these scones on lazy Sunday mornings. 

The process of slowly caramelizing the onions fills my kitchen with the most incredible aroma, and the satisfaction of pulling these golden beauties out of the oven never gets old. 

Ready to get baking? Here’s a quick rundown of the process:

1. Warm the skillet: Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Cook the onions: Add the onions and cook for 10-15 minutes. Add the sugar and pepper, then cook for another 15-20 minutes until golden.
3. Cool and chop: Let the onions cool fully, then roughly chop them.
4. Mix the dough: Combine the flour, baking powder, thyme, sugar, and salt. Grate in the butter and toss to coat.
5. Add wet ingredients: Whisk the egg and milk, then pour into the flour mixture. Stir gently to combine.
6. Fold the dough: Pat the dough into a rectangle, spread the onions, fold, and pat again into a 20cm (8-inch) circle.
7. Chill the dough: Place the dough on a lined baking tray, wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
8. Preheat the oven: Heat the oven to 200°C (400°F).
9. Cut and bake: Slice the dough into 8 wedges, brush with egg wash, add goat cheese if desired, and bake for 18-20 minutes until golden.
10. Cool and serve: Let the scones cool slightly, then serve warm with butter and goat cheese.

Tips for Success

When it comes to making scones, especially these Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese Scones, a few tips can really make all the difference in achieving that perfect flaky texture and deeply flavorful caramelized onions. 

So, here are some handy tips to ensure your scones turn out beautifully every time:

• Keep the butter cold: Cold butter is the key to flaky scones. Grating frozen butter into the flour helps create tiny pockets of steam as the butter melts, which gives the scones their light, layered texture. Handle the dough as little as possible to keep the butter from warming up.
• Don’t overmix the dough: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, stir just until everything is moistened. Overmixing can lead to tough scones, and you want them to be tender and soft.
• Pat, don’t roll: When shaping the dough, gently pat it into shape rather than rolling it out. Rolling can overwork the dough, making the scones denser. Patting helps maintain the delicate texture.
• Chill the dough: Chilling the dough before baking not only helps the butter stay cold, which promotes flakiness, but also relaxes the gluten, leading to a more tender crumb. This step is especially helpful when adding ingredients like onions, which can make the dough slightly wetter.
• Perfect caramelized onions: Take your time with the onions. Caramelizing them low and slow allows their natural sugars to develop fully, creating that deep, rich flavor. Resist the urge to turn up the heat—patience is key here!
• Add goat cheese strategically: To avoid burning or over-browning the goat cheese, add it halfway through baking for a perfectly melted, slightly golden topping.
• Egg wash for shine: Brushing the tops of the scones with egg wash (or heavy cream) before baking will give them a beautifully golden and shiny finish. It also helps the goat cheese adhere better.

Recipe Variations

If you’re feeling adventurous and want to switch things up, scones are incredibly versatile and lend themselves well to all sorts of flavor combinations. 

Once you’ve mastered the basics of these Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese Scones, it’s easy to put your own spin on the recipe. 

Whether you’re looking for something savory, sweet, or a perfect balance of both, here are some delicious variations to inspire your next batch of scones. 

Bacon and Cheddar Scones:

• Swap out the goat cheese for sharp cheddar, and fold in crispy, crumbled bacon for a smoky, savory twist. Perfect for a hearty breakfast treat.

Herbed Feta and Spinach Scones:

• Replace the goat cheese with feta, and add fresh or frozen spinach that’s been sautéed and well-drained. 
• Fresh dill or parsley would make a great addition to complement the flavors.

Sun-Dried Tomato and Parmesan Scones:

• Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the dough and replace the goat cheese with Parmesan for a Mediterranean-inspired version. 
• The sweet, tangy tomatoes pair wonderfully with the caramelized onions.

Blue Cheese and Walnut Scones:

• For a bold flavor, substitute the goat cheese with crumbled blue cheese and fold in some toasted walnuts for added crunch and richness.

Gruyère and Thyme Scones:

• Switch out the goat cheese for Gruyère and up the thyme for a French-inspired take. 
• The nutty, slightly sweet cheese pairs beautifully with caramelized onions and herbs.

Chive and Cream Cheese Scones:

• Replace the goat cheese with dollops of cream cheese, and add chopped fresh chives to the dough. 
• The cream cheese will melt into creamy pockets that complement the onions perfectly.

Fig and Goat Cheese Scones:

• For a sweet-savory combo, add chopped dried figs or fig preserves to the dough along with the goat cheese. 
• The sweetness of the figs balances beautifully with the tangy cheese and caramelized onions.

Herb Swaps:

• Try using rosemary or sage instead of thyme for a different flavor profile.

Sweet Onion Jam:

• Add a small dollop of sweet onion jam to each scone before baking for an extra layer of flavor.

FAQs

Q: Can I freeze these scones before baking?

A: Yes! Arrange unbaked scones on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then store in a freezer-safe bag. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.

Q: What can I substitute for goat cheese?

A: Feta cheese or even cream cheese can be great substitutes if you’re not a fan of goat cheese.

Q: How do I keep the goat cheese from burning in the oven?

A: If your cheese starts to brown too quickly, cover the scones loosely with foil halfway through baking. If you’re really worried, leave it off and simply serve it on the side.

Q: Can I make these scones ahead of time?

A: Absolutely! You can prepare the dough and shape the scones, then cover and chill overnight. 

Q: Can I use heavy cream instead of milk?

A: Yes! Heavy cream provides an even better texture.

Q: What Is Grating Frozen Butter?

A: Grating frozen butter is a technique that creates tiny, evenly distributed pieces of butter throughout the dough. This results in pockets of steam during baking, creating those coveted flaky layers in your scones.

How to Store/Freeze/Reheat

• Store: Keep leftover scones in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Alternatively, refrigerate them for up to 5 days.
• Freeze: Freeze scones individually on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.
• Reheat: Reheat scones in a preheated oven at 175°C (350°F) for 10 minutes or until warmed through.