Tear 'n' Share Tomato & Garlic Cheddar Scone Tree – A Festive Centrepiece for Cheese Lovers

If you're looking for a show-stopping Christmas party food idea, this Tear 'n' Share Tomato and Garlic Cheddar Scone Tree is guaranteed to become the star of your festive table. Warm, fluffy, and irresistibly cheesy, these savoury scone bites feature rich, tangy Mature Italiano Cheddar that brings a luxurious depth of flavour to every mouthful.

Perfect for holiday gatherings, family parties, or festive grazing boards, this cheesy Christmas tree makes a beautiful edible centrepiece. It’s simple to make, fun to serve, and ideal for sharing alongside salted butter, dips, chutneys, and—of course—extra cheese.

Serves 6-8, for larger gatherings, double the quantity to make enough for 12-14.

Ingredients

• 225g self-raising flour, plus extra for dusting
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp mustard powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 50g butter, cubed
• 100g Mature Italiano Cheddar, grated (plus extra for topping)
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• 3 tbsp finely snipped chives
• 1 egg
• About 75ml milk

Method

1. Prepare the dry ingredients:
   Combine the flour, baking powder, mustard powder and salt in a large mixing bowl.
2. Rub in the butter:
   Add the cubed butter and use your fingertips to rub it into the flour mixture until it resembles breadcrumbs.
3. Add the flavourings:
   Stir in the Mature Italiano Cheddar, crushed garlic and snipped chives.
4. Mix the wet ingredients:
   In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg and milk. Gradually add this to the dry mixture until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms; avoid over-adding liquid.
5. Knead the dough:
   Lightly flour your surface and knead the dough for a couple of minutes until smooth.
6. Shape your festive tree:
   Divide the dough into 16 equal balls. Line a baking tray with baking paper and arrange the dough balls in a Christmas tree shape.
7. Finish and bake:
   Brush the scones with any remaining egg-milk mixture, then sprinkle generously with extra Italiano Cheddar. Bake for around 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown and risen.
8. Serve & enjoy:
   Serve warm or cooled as part of a festive spread. Pair with salted butter, tomato chutney, or extra cheddar for the ultimate Christmas indulgence. 

Perfect for Christmas Entertaining

This tear ’n’ share cheese scone tree is a brilliant addition to festive celebrations, Christmas hosting or with a warming bowl of soup over the winter months.

With its soft texture, bold cheese flavour and impressive presentation, it’s a recipe that brings both warmth and wow-factor to your celebrations. 

Why Mature Italiano Cheddar Elevates This Festive Bake

Our Mature Italiano Cheddar blends the bold flavours of tomato and garlic with a classic mature cheddar. When baked into warm scones, it melts beautifully, creating pockets of rich, garlicky flavour. It’s the perfect cheese for festive baking, offering both indulgence and versatility in seasonal recipes.