Scones are one of those treats that seem simple but can be tricky to master. Whether you’re preparing for an afternoon tea or just want something warm and flaky to enjoy with your morning coffee, making scones can be a lot of fun—and delicious!
But with so many recipes out there, it’s easy to get lost in the details. No worries! This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to bake the perfect scone every time.
Scones Recipe
Before we dive into the recipe, let’s quickly go over what a scone actually is. Originating from Scotland, scones are a type of quick bread that’s typically baked in a round shape and often cut into wedges.
They’re known for being light, fluffy, and slightly crumbly on the inside, with a golden, crisp exterior. Scones can be sweet or savory, and depending on the recipe, they can include fruits, nuts, cheese, or even herbs.
Now that we have a basic understanding, let’s explore the essential elements of making scones.
Key Ingredients for Scones
While there’s room for creativity in your scone-making (we’ll get into flavor variations later), these are the basic ingredients you’ll need for the classic scone recipe:
- Flour: All-purpose flour is the go-to, but you can play around with whole wheat or self-raising flour for different textures.
- Baking Powder: This is your leavening agent that makes scones rise and gives them that light, airy texture.
- Sugar: A little bit of sugar is key to balancing the savory flavor. You can adjust this depending on how sweet you want your scones.
- Butter: Cold, cubed butter is a must! This gives your scones their flaky texture.
- Milk or Cream: Liquid is needed to bring everything together. You can use regular milk or go for heavy cream for extra richness.
- Egg: Often used for glazing or added into the dough for a richer texture.
- Optional Add-ins: Raisins, currants, cheese, herbs, or zest for a pop of flavor.
Step-by-Step Scone Recipe
Let’s get to the good stuff: how to actually make scones! Here’s a straightforward recipe that you can tweak to your liking.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup cold butter (cut into small cubes)
- 2/3 cup milk (or cream for a richer scone)
- 1 egg (for brushing on top)
- Optional: 1/2 cup dried fruit (like raisins, currants, or cranberries) or chocolate chips
Instructions:
- Preheat Your Oven: Set your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Make sure everything is evenly combined.
- Add the Butter: Using a pastry cutter or your hands, cut the cold butter into the flour mixture. You want it to resemble coarse crumbs, with pea-sized pieces of butter. This step is crucial for creating the flaky texture.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Pour in the milk (or cream) and stir gently. If you’re adding any mix-ins (like dried fruit or chocolate chips), toss them in now. The dough should come together, but it might be a little shaggy.
- Knead and Shape the Dough: Lightly flour your countertop and turn out the dough. Gently knead it a few times to bring it together. Pat it into a round shape that’s about 1 to 1.5 inches thick.
- Cut the Scones: Use a sharp knife or a scone cutter to slice the dough into 8 wedges (or use a round cutter for circular scones). Place the scones on the prepared baking sheet.
- Egg Wash: Beat the egg with a tablespoon of milk, then brush it over the tops of the scones for a golden finish.
- Bake: Pop the scones into the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until they’re golden brown and have risen nicely. Keep an eye on them—every oven is a little different!
- Serve and Enjoy: Let the scones cool for a few minutes before digging in. Serve with butter, jam, or clotted cream for the ultimate treat!
Common Scone-Making Mistakes to Avoid
Scones can be fussy, so here are some common mistakes you’ll want to avoid:
- Overmixing the Dough: If you stir the dough too much, you’ll end up with dense, tough scones. Mix just until the dough comes together.
- Too Much Flour: Be careful when measuring flour. Too much can make your scones dry. Use a spoon to fill your measuring cup and level it off.
- Not Using Cold Butter: The cold butter creates pockets of air in the dough, which makes the scones rise. If your butter gets too warm, you won’t get that nice flaky texture.
- Skipping the Egg Wash: If you want that golden-brown, shiny top, don’t skip the egg wash!
Variations and Flavor Ideas
One of the best parts about making scones is how easy it is to experiment with flavors. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Classic Raisin Scones: Add 1/2 cup of raisins to your dough for a traditional flavor.
- Lemon and Blueberry Scones: Stir in 1/2 cup of fresh blueberries and 1 tablespoon of lemon zest for a refreshing twist.
- Cheddar and Chive Scones: For something savory, add 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar and 1/4 cup of chopped chives. Perfect for pairing with soup.
- Cranberry and Orange Scones: A festive combo! Add 1/2 cup dried cranberries and 1 tablespoon orange zest.
- Chocolate Chip Scones: Who doesn’t love chocolate? Fold in 1/2 cup of chocolate chips for a sweet treat.
How to Store Scones
Fresh scones are best enjoyed the same day, but if you have leftovers, here’s how to store them:
- Room Temperature: If you’re going to eat them within a day or two, just store them in an airtight container at room temperature.
- Freezing: You can freeze unbaked scones! Shape the dough into wedges, freeze them on a baking sheet, then transfer to a zip-top bag. Bake from frozen, adding an extra 5 minutes to the baking time.
- Reheating: To bring back some of that fresh-out-of-the-oven goodness, pop them in the oven for 5-7 minutes at 350°F (175°C).
FAQs About Scones
Can I make scones ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can make the dough in advance, shape it into wedges, and freeze it. When you’re ready, just bake them straight from the freezer.
Why are my scones dense?
If your scones are dense, it might be because you overmixed the dough or didn’t use cold enough butter. Remember, handle the dough gently and don’t overwork it.
Can I use margarine instead of butter?
While margarine can work in a pinch, butter gives scones their signature flavor and flakiness. If you want the best result, stick with butter.
Can I add nuts to scones?
Definitely! Walnuts, pecans, or almonds can all be great add-ins. Just chop them up and fold them into the dough with the other dry ingredients.
What should I serve with scones?
Scones are delicious on their own, but they’re often served with butter, clotted cream, or jam. For a British-style treat, try strawberry jam and a dollop of clotted cream.
Making scones is as much about technique as it is about the love you put into them. With the right ingredients, a little patience, and these simple steps, you’ll be able to make scones that are perfectly light, flaky, and full of flavor.
Whether you stick to the classic recipe or experiment with fun flavors, you’ll soon be enjoying homemade scones that are better than anything you’ll find at a bakery.