Whether you’re a fan or not, Marmite has endless possibilities beyond toast. Indulge in the irresistible combination of Marmite and cheese with these deliciously fluffy cheese and Marmite scones. They make a fantastic addition to any picnic, especially for Marmite lovers and their families. Spread them with cream cheese and serve them up with an afternoon tea platter, picnic or as an addition to a lunchbox.
Savoury Scones are incredibly versatile treats that go beyond picnics. They make perfect after-school snacks and a great alternative to sandwiches in lunchboxes.
If you’re not familiar with scones, this post featuring the best ever cheese scones will introduce you to these delightful baked goods.
While scones can be made both savoury and sweet, this particular recipe takes a savoury twist with the addition of Marmite.
What makes these scones even more impressive is that they don’t require eggs in the ingredients, yet still deliver fluffy and delicious results.
Why You’ll Love This Scone Recipe
- Light and Fluffy: Enjoy the delightful texture of these scones, with their soft and airy dough infused with cheesy goodness.
- Customisable Sizes: Whether you prefer larger or smaller scones, simply adjust the size and keep an eye on the baking times for perfect results.
- Egg-Free Option: If you follow an egg-free diet, this recipe is perfect for you! These scones are deliciously made without the use of eggs.
Equipment Needed To Make Cheese And Marmite Scones
- Large Bowl: A large mixing bowl is essential for combining the dry and wet ingredients to make the scone dough.
- Pastry Cutter or Fork (optional): A pastry cutter or fork is used to cut the butter into the dry ingredients, creating a crumbly texture in the dough.
- Food Processor (optional): You can blend the flour and butter together using a food processor, but it isn’t essential.
- Grater: A grater is needed to grate the cheese for the scone dough. Choose a medium-sized grater for best results.
- Large Baking Tray / Baking Sheet: A baking sheet or baking tray is used to place the scones for baking in the oven. Make sure it is large enough to accommodate the scones without crowding.
- Round Cookie Cutter: A round cookie cutter is needed to cut out the scone dough into individual scones. Choose a size that suits your preference.
- Pastry Brush: A pastry brush is used to brush the tops of the scones with milk or egg wash for a golden and glossy finish.
- Cooling Rack: A wire rack is used to allow the baked scones to cool down properly after coming out of the oven.
Ingredients
- Plain White Flour – Using white flour gives these marmite cheese scones the best rise. However, if you want to make the flour mixture 50/50 with wholemeal plain flour, you can. The scones just won’t be as risen.
- Baking Powder – baking powder should always be used when it’s fresh. This gives the scones their rise, so it shouldn’t be left out. If you find that your scones haven’t risen as well as you’d like, check the date that you opened your baking powder. It could be past it’s best.
- Unsalted Butter – I use unsalted butter to keep the salt content down. The marmite and cheese will give this recipe enough added salt to enhance the overall flavour.
- Milk – I use full-fat milk in this recipe, but if you want to lower the calories slightly, you can use semi-skimmed milk.
- Marmite – Since these are specifically cheese and marmite scones, it’s an important ingredient. Other variations of yeast extract may taste slightly different to original marmite.
- Cheddar Cheese – I always use mature cheddar for the best flavour. A mild or medium cheddar can be used but the cheese flavour won’t be as strong.
Additions Variations and Substitutions
- Cheese Variations: Experiment with different types of cheese to vary the flavour. You can use cheddar, mozzarella, Gruyère, or a combination of your favourite cheeses.
- Herb Additions: Enhance the flavour by adding herbs to the dough. Chopped fresh rosemary, thyme, or parsley can add a delightful aromatic touch to the scones.
- Spicy Twist: If you enjoy a bit of heat, consider adding a pinch of chili flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the dough for some spicy kick.
- Sweet and Savoury Combination: For a unique twist, you can sprinkle a small amount of brown sugar or honey on top of each scone before baking. The combination of sweet and savoury flavours can be surprisingly delightful.
- Gluten-Free Option: If you follow a gluten-free diet, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend suitable for baking. Ensure the other ingredients are also gluten-free, including the cheese and Marmite.
- Vegan Option: Try substituting the butter for a vegan alternative, replacing the milk with a nut milk and using vegan cheese with added nutritional yeast to make them more cheesy. However, the taste and texture may differ slightly to the original recipe.
Step-By-Step How To Make Cheese and Marmite Scones Without Eggs
Step 1: Preparing the Scone Dough:
- Preheat your oven to 200°C (390°F).
- In a bowl, sift together the flour and baking powder.
- Cut the chilled butter into small pieces and add them to the flour. Rub the butter into the flour using your fingers until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.
- Add the grated cheese to the bowl and mix it into the flour mixture.
Step 2: Mixing the Dough and Shaping the Scones:
- In a separate bowl, combine the marmite and chilled milk, stirring until well combined.
- Pour the marmite and milk mixture into the flour mixture. Stir until a dough forms, being careful not to overmix.
- Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured work surface and flatten it to a thickness of about 3cm, you can use your hands or a rolling pin to do this.
- Use a round cutter to cut out scones from the dough. Place the scones on a prepared baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Gather up the remaining dough and flatten it again to use it all.
- Brush each scone with a little milk and sprinkle grated cheese on top.
Step 3: Baking and Serving the Scones:
- Place the scones in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until they are golden brown and risen.
- Remove the scones from the oven and let them cool slightly on a cooling rack.
- Serve the scones warm or cold. Enjoy!
What is Marmite?
Marmite is a vegan yeast extract commonly used as a savoury spread for breakfast toast. It boasts a distinctive and intense salty flavour that is hard to compare to anything else. With its sticky and dark consistency, Marmite is derived as a by-product of beer brewing. The by-product is processed into yeast extract and concentrated, and additional flavourings are incorporated, resulting in Marmite’s unique taste.
FAQ
Can I substitute Marmite with another spread?
While Marmite provides the distinct flavour in these scones, you can substitute it with other savoury spreads like Vegemite or Bovril for a similar taste.
Can I make mini scones instead of regular-sized ones?
Yes, you can make smaller scones by using a smaller cookie cutter or shaping the dough into smaller rounds. Just keep in mind that the baking time may vary, so keep an eye on them to ensure they don’t overbake.
Can I make these scones without cheese?
Yes, you can omit the cheese if desired. The scones will still have a delightful Marmite flavour, but the cheesy element will be missing.
Pro Tips and Guidance
- Use cold milk and butter: Using cold milk and butter helps achieve a flaky texture in the scones. This prevents excessive gluten development, resulting in lighter and fluffier scones.
- Bake in a hot oven: Placing the scones in a preheated hot oven ensures optimal rise and a golden crust. The heat helps activate the leavening agents for a well-risen and delicious batch of scones.
- Avoid overmixing the dough: Once the ingredients are combined, avoid overmixing the dough. Overmixing can lead to a tougher texture. Mix the ingredients just until they come together to maintain the scones’ light and tender crumb.
- Cut butter into small chunks: When incorporating butter into the flour, ensure the butter chunks are small. This facilitates easier blending and distribution of butter throughout the dough, resulting in a more uniform texture.
- Use fresh ingredients: For the best results, use fresh ingredients, especially baking powder. Baking powder is most effective when it is within six months of opening. Fresh ingredients contribute to better flavour and texture in your scones.
Storing Cheese and Marmite Scones
Storage:
- Once the scones have completely cooled, store them in an airtight container or resealable bag.
- They can be kept at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, place them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can reheat them in a preheated oven at 180C (350F) for a few minutes before serving.
Freezing And Defrosting
- These scones can also be frozen for up to 3 months. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or place them in a freezer-safe container or bag. Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight and reheat as needed.
Check Out These Other Marmite Recipes
A great snack for Marmite Lovers, these cheesy puff pastry straws will wow the kids after school for sure.
Easy Cheddar Cheese and Marmite Scones Without Egg
Love it or hate it, there's no denying that marmite is more than for just spreading on toast. These fluffy marmite and cheese scones are the perfect picnic recipe for marmite loving families.
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Servings: 8 Scones
Calories: 273kcal
Ingredients
- 300 g Plain Flour
- 2.5 tsp Baking Powder
- 70 g Unsalted Butter, Chilled
- 170 ml Milk, Chilled
- 3 tsp Marmite
- 70 g Cheddar Cheese, Grated
- Extra Cheese for Topping, Grated
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 200°C (390°F).
- In a bowl, sift the flour and baking powder together.
- Chop the chilled butter into small pieces and add them to the flour. Use your fingers to rub the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.
- Add the grated cheese to the bowl and mix it through the flour mixture.
- In a separate bowl, stir the marmite into the chilled milk until well combined.
- Pour the marmite and milk mixture into the flour mixture. Stir until a dough forms, being careful not to overmix.
- Place the dough on a clean surface dusted with flour to prevent sticking. Flatten the dough to a thickness of about 3cm.
- Use a biscuit cutter of your desired size to cut out the scones from the dough. Place the scones on a baking tray lined with baking paper. You can gather up the remaining dough and flatten it again to use it all.
- Brush each scone with a little milk and sprinkle grated cheese on top.
- Place the scones in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until they are golden brown and risen.
- Remove the scones from the oven and let them cool slightly on a cooling rack. Serve the scones warm or cold.
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Recipe Notes
- Use cold milk and butter for a flaky texture.
- Bake in a hot oven for optimal rise.
- Avoid overmixing the dough for lightness.
- Cut butter into small chunks for easier blending.
- Use fresh ingredients, including baking powder.
Nutrition Estimate
Calories: 273kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 35mg | Sodium: 309mg | Potassium: 133mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 392IU | Calcium: 207mg | Iron: 2mg
Super yummy and cheesy scone is the best breakfast on the go
I used vegemite instead and yum! I love the flavouring of these and that they do not have any eggs.
Made these scoones for a picnic with friends from kids kindergarten. They loved it, and I was happy I made something so simple but delicious, thanks
My boyfriend is crazy for marmite and loved these scones. He has an egg allergy so I made his day!
I’ve never heard of marmite! It’s interesting that it’s banned in Denmark! Wow, how fascinating. These scones looks delicious and perfect for breakfast!
Yum! These eggless scones are divine! The cheddar gives them such an amazing taste! Love it!
I like that its egg-free and fluffy. I am new to using marmite and glad to try for these scones. Easy and great for our breakfast too.
I love Scones, I had never tried to make them, this recipe is perfect!