Learn how to make scones step by step. If you’re looking for a delicious and easy-to-make scone recipe, you’ve come to the right place! This simple scone recipe is perfect for any occasion, whether you’re serving them for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. And the best part is, they can be made following a few steps and they only require a few simple ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen.
There’s nothing like a freshly baked scone from the oven, and making them at home is easier than you might think! You can make them savory or sweet, but the taste will vary depending on the ingredients used. And there are even gluten-free and vegan options available for you to enjoy.
Related: How to make empanadas
If you don’t want to make your scones from scratch you can always use a mix or Bisquick. There are lots of different combinations available in the market, so you can find one that suits your preferences. This recipe will yield 14 delicious pieces. If you want a very light and tender scone, make sure to use buttermilk or yogurt sour cream, or cream in place of milk.
What are scones?
Scones are a type of quick bread that originates from the United Kingdom. They are usually made with flour, sugar, butter, eggs, and baking powder. Other ingredients such as dried fruit (raspberry, strawberry, orange, cranberry, peach, and lemon), nuts, chocolate, cheese, cream, buttermilk, and spices can be added to the dough to mix or sprinkled on top of the scones before baking.
Scones are baked in a round shape or cut into wedges and are often eaten as a snack or light meal. You can enjoy them with a sweet or savory spread such as jam, cream cheese, or clotted cream as a snack or with tea. Or you can top them with a flavored glaze or cream frosting. In this article, I will show you how to make scones step by step. This recipe is easy to follow especially for beginners and yields delicious results every time.
Difference between scones and biscuits
Both scones and biscuits are quick bread, meaning they’re made with baking powder or soda instead of yeast. They also both typically contain some form of fat (butter, cream, etc.), which helps to create a tender, flaky texture.
The main difference between English scones and American biscuits is that scones are made with eggs while biscuits recipes do not contain eggs.
Another primary difference between the two is that scones are denser and more cake-like. They often contain dried fruit such as blueberries, cranberries, strawberries, or other mix-ins like nuts or chocolate chips which makes them sweeter than biscuits. They are usually served with fruit jam or cream. However, biscuits are light, and fluffy and are traditionally not sweet. They are more often eaten with gravy or butter.
What is the secret to making good scones?
- First, measure out all the needed ingredients before beginning this recipe. This allows you to mix the dough quickly and easily without having to run around the kitchen.
- Make sure that you use cold butter and cut it into small pieces before adding it to the flour. Cold butter helps to create a light and flakey texture and prevents the scones from spreading too much while being baked in the oven.
- Make your scones with buttermilk if you have it on hand. It will add a lovely richness and make them even moister. Do not add too much, the dough should be moist but not sticky, and easy to work with.
- You need to be careful not to overmix the batter. Overmixing will result in tough scones. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
- Finally, don’t forget the power of a good preheat. Make sure your oven is fully preheated before you put them in to bake. This will help them rise nicely and give you a nice, and even bake.
Ingredients for Scones
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 stick of unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small cubes
- 1 cup buttermilk, whole milk, or heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 egg plus 1 extra egg yolk for glazing
You will need:
- All-purpose flour– All-purpose flour is what I used for this recipe, it is the base for all the other ingredients and it gave me the best result. However, you can use self-rising flour but make sure to omit the baking powder and also adjust the other ingredients accordingly if you are going to use self-rising flour.
- Butter– This is what gives scones their rich flavor and flaky texture. Be sure to use unsalted butter so that they don’t end up too salty.
- Buttermilk- I find that buttermilk adds tenderness and flavor to the scones. If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can make it from scratch using whole milk, just stir 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice or vinegar into the milk, and leave it to sit in the fridge for 15 minutes before using. Also, whole milk or heavy cream works well too in this scone recipe.
- Egg and baking powder– Egg helps to add structure and give your baked goods a bit of lift. Baking powder leavens the dough and helps it to rise and become light and fluffy.
- Sugar and salt– A little bit of sugar is needed to sweeten the scones. Salt on the other hand enhances the flavor and compliment all the other ingredients.
- Vanilla extract- This complements the sweetness of the baked goods and adds an extra layer of flavor. I find that a little amount goes a long way. You can also use cinnamon in place of vanilla. You can add other extracts to your batter or spices like cinnamon powder or ground nutmeg.
How to make scones step by step
Here is how to make scones step by step with pictures
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt in a large mixing bowl.
Grate the chilled butter with a box grater and add it to the flour mixture. Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to work them into the flour and ensure it is evenly distributed. The mixture will resemble coarse crumbs.
In another bowl, whisk together buttermilk, egg, and vanilla. Gradually stir in the buttermilk and fold until everything is evenly combined.
Lightly flour a work surface, turn out the dough onto the floured surface, and knead it gently for 2 minutes until it comes together nicely. Do not over-mix the dough at this point or you will end up with hard scones.
Roll the dough out to about a 1-inch thick disc; shape it into a round disc. Use a floured biscuit cutter or glass cup to cut out 8 drop scones and re-roll the scraps if necessary.
Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and refrigerate for 15 minutes to avoid overspreading. Glaze the top with egg wash and bake for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown.
Once they’re out of the oven, let them cool for a few minutes before serving. And that’s it! Enjoy your freshly baked scones with clotted cream, fruit jam, or whatever topping you like best.
What are scones served with?
When it comes to serving scones, there are a few different options. You can serve them plain, with butter and jam, or with clotted cream. If you want to get fancy, you can also serve them with lemon curd or whipped cream. They can also be made savory and topped with bacon. Bacon makes an excellent topping for scones. The salty flavor pairs perfectly with the flaky pastry. I recommend using sharp cheddar cheese for the best flavor.
How do you get the best rise on scones?
To achieve the best scones recipe ever, make sure your oven is preheated before you put them in. This will help them rise evenly and prevent them from sinking in the middle. Second, use good-quality baking powder. This will ensure they have plenty of lift. Third, don’t overwork the dough, too much mixing will lead to denser, flatter scones. Finally, give them plenty of space on the baking sheet. Do not overcrowd them or they won’t have room to expand and rise properly.
Can I use milk instead of cream in scones?
You can use milk instead of cream in your scone recipe. The texture will be slightly different since milk has a lower fat content than cream, but the scones will still be delicious. Just make sure to use whole milk for the best results. You may want to add a bit more butter to your dough. You can also use buttermilk, sour cream, or yogurt instead of cream.
Should you let the scone dough rest?
It is essential to let the dough rest for at least 15 minutes before baking. This allows the flour to fully absorb the liquid, which results in a more tender scone. If you are in a hurry, you can reduce the resting time to 10 minutes. I like to chill the dough first in the freezer for 15 minutes before baking. This also helps them retain their shape and prevents them from spreading too much during baking.
What are the popular flavors of scones?
Plain scones are the most basic types that are flavored with vanilla and can be eaten plain or with butter, jam, or cream. I also enjoy fruit scones because you can add a variety of dried fruit to the batter such as raisins or currants, cranberries, or blueberries. Other recipes may contain chocolate chips throughout the dough. You can also have chopped nuts such as almonds or pecans and mix them in. Lastly, spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger powder are often added to the batter for flavor.
What is the perfect scone texture?
For the perfect scone texture, you want a light and airy crumb. The interior should be moist but not too dense, and it should have a slight crunch on the outside. The secret to achieving this perfect texture is to not overmix the dough. When you mix the dough too much, the gluten in the flour will start to develop, making the scones tough and rubbery. So, when you’re mixing the dough, be careful not to overdo it. Just mix until everything is evenly combined, no more, no less.
Do scones have eggs
There are a few reasons why eggs are commonly added to scone recipes. First, eggs help to bind the ingredients together and produce a softer and more delicate crumb. They add richness and flavor. And lastly, they contribute to the golden color of the finished scones.
What makes scones to be hard?
How much you work the dough will determine the texture of the baked goods. The more you knead or mix it, the tougher they will be. If you desire to make soft scones, try to handle the dough as little as possible and use the right amount of liquid in the batter. You can also make use of low-protein flour like cake flour. This will result in a more delicate, tender scone.
Other variations
There are many different variations of scones, from the classic English scone to the more modern fruity variations. There are also savory types, which are often made with cheese, bacon, or herbs. All of these are easy to make and the recipe can be easily adapted to create different flavors. some of the common variations include.
- Chocolate chips scones– The recipe above is for basic scones, but you can add chocolate chips to the batter before baking. Just fold in 1/2 cup of chocolate chips or chocolate chunks after you have added the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients.
- Blueberry scones– This is the most popular flavor of scones out there and is a delicious option for you. Add 1 cup of fresh or frozen blueberries to the batter and stir just before stirring in the wet ingredients.
- Orange cranberry scone– This recipe can also be made with dried cranberries, orange juice, and zest for a hint of citrus flavor. If you only have fresh or frozen cranberries they will work just fine in this recipe. Be sure to chop them up before adding them to the batter.
- Lemon– For a refreshing lemony flavor, add a teaspoon of grated lemon zest and 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice to the batter and mix. You can also add a glaze or frosting made with lemon juice and powdered sugar for a more pronounced lemon flavor.
- Raspberry- If you love raspberry fruit, then you’ll love raspberry scones as well. These scones are moist and fluffy, with a tart raspberry flavor. They’re perfect for breakfast or brunch and are easy to make.
- Raisins or currants– You can add some dried fruits, such as raisins or currants to the batter to mix just after mixing in the butter. This gives them a sweet flavor.
- Cinnamon scones– These are made with a simple, fluffy dough and flavored with a generous amount of cinnamon. They’re perfect for enjoying coffee or tea and can be made in just a few minutes. Mix in a 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Other spices such as ginger and nutmeg can also be added to the batter in place of cinnamon for a warm and spicy flavor.
- Strawberry- For the perfect strawberry scones, you need fresh berries, cold butter, and a light hand. This recipe delivers on all three counts. The finished goods are delicate and buttery, with just the right amount of sweetness from the strawberries.
- For savory flavor– You can add shredded cheese, finely diced onions or shallots, and/or chopped fresh herbs to the dough and mix. Serve them plain or with a dollop of chutney or jam on top.
- Glazing– You could also top the scones with a simple icing made from confectioners’ sugar and milk, or a more elaborate glaze made from flavored syrups or melted chocolate.
- Flour– You can decide to change the type of flour in this recipe. Instead of all-purpose flour, you can choose whole wheat flour or almond flour, to give the scones a unique flavor and texture.
How to make scones step by step
Equipment
- Rolling Pin
- Glass cup
- Mixing bowls
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup sugar
- 2½ tsp baking powder
- ½ stick unsalted butter chilled and cut into small cubes
- 1 cup buttermilk you can substitute buttermilk for 1 cup heavy cream or whole milk
- 1 large egg
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt in a large mixing bowl.
- Using a box grater, grate the chilled butter into tiny pieces and add to the flour mixture. Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to work them into the flour and ensure it is evenly distributed.
- The mixture will resemble coarse crumbs. In another bowl, whisk together buttermilk, egg, and vanilla. Gradually stir in the buttermilk mixture and fold until everything is evenly combined.
- Lightly flour a work surface, turn out the dough onto the floured surface and knead it gently for 2 minutes until it comes together. Do not over-mix the dough at this point or you will end up with hard scones.
- Roll the dough out to about a 1-inch thick disk. Shape it into a round disc. Use a floured biscuit cutter or glass cup to cut out 8 drop scones and re-roll the scraps if necessary.
- Place the scones on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and refrigerate for 15 minutes to avoid overspreading. Glaze the top with egg wash and bake for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown.
- Once they're out of the oven, let them cool for a few minutes before serving. And that's it! Enjoy your freshly baked scones with clotted cream, fruit jam, or whatever topping you like best.