Learn how to make scones with this quick and easy recipe! Made with simple pantry ingredients and no special equipment required, they're flaky, buttery, and so delicious!
Looking for more easy breakfast recipes? Try my Lemon Poppyseed Muffins or Fluffy Pancakes next!
About This Recipe
Scones have to be one of my favorite treats for breakfast. They're simple to make with pantry staples, and they're the perfect grab-and-go breakfast or quick snack that's filling but not too heavy. When I learned how easy they were to make, I stopped buying them from the bakery and started making them at home instead!
The key to making scones is to be gentle with the dough. You don't want to knead it for too long or too aggressively, as this will develop the gluten in the flour and make the scones dense and chewy. The perfect scone is light, flaky, and tender on the inside. This comes from gentle mixing, where the dough is just moistened enough to come together, and the butter melts during baking to create soft, tender layers.
Key Ingredients
Flour: I use all-purpose flour, and that has worked out great for me. Make sure to use the spoon-and-level method to measure the flour so you don't overmeasure.
Sugar: For sweetness throughout!
Baking powder: This is what gives the scones their fluffy texture on the inside. Make sure to check the expiration date on your container!
Salt: A little bit of salt to enhance all the flavors.
Cold unsalted butter: It's very important to keep your butter cold, as we don't want it to melt into the dough while mixing. When the scones bake, the butter will melt to create steam pockets, which give you those soft, flaky layers.
Buttermilk: You can also substitute this with heavy cream.
Egg: Using an egg gives the scones a richer, more tender texture on the inside.
Vanilla extract: For warm, cozy flavor.
Mix-ins of your choice: Add 1.5 cups of optional mix-ins! Some popular options are blueberries, raspberries, cheese, and chocolate chips.
Instructions
STEP 1: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the cold butter, then use your fingers to work it into the dry ingredients until they resemble coarse crumbs.
STEP 2: Gently fold in any mix-ins, if using. In a small bowl, combine the buttermilk, egg, and vanilla extract. Pour over the flour mixture. Stir gently with a spatula until all the flour is moistened.
STEP 3: Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface. Flatten the dough into an 8 disc about 1 inch thick. Slice into 8 wedges and transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet.
STEP 4: Now, for the most flaky and tall scones, you want to freeze the scones for about 15 minutes. This will make it so they spread less, and the butter is cold going into the oven.
STEP 5: Brush the tops of the scones with a little buttermilk (this will give them a shine) and bake for 18โ22 minutes, until the scones are lightly golden brown.
๐ Recipe
Scones Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and levelled)
- ยฝ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ยฝ teaspoon salt
- ยฝ cup cold unsalted butter (make sure it's cold!!)
- ยฝ cup buttermilk (or heavy cream)
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional mix-ins (Pick one)
- 1 ยฝ cups chocolate chips
- 1 ยฝ cups raspberries
- 1 ยฝ cups blueberries
- 1 ยฝ cups walnuts
- 1 ยฝ cups cheddar cheese
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the cold butter, then use your fingers to work it into the dry ingredients until they resemble coarse crumbs. Gently fold in any mix-ins, if using.
- In a small bowl, combine the buttermilk, egg, and vanilla extract. Pour over the flour mixture. Stir gently with a spatula until all the flour is moistened. The dough should feel soft but not too sticky. If it's too sticky, add 1-2 tablespoons of flour. If it's too dry, add 1-2 tablespoons of buttermilk (just enough to make the dough come together).
- Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface. Flatten the dough into an 8 disc about 1 inch thick. Slice into 8 wedges and transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Freeze for 15 minutes and preheat your oven to 400ยฐF.
- Brush the tops of the scones with buttermilk (this will give them a shine) and bake for 18โ22 minutes, until the scones are lightly golden brown. Let them cool before serving.
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