The Best Scone Recipes - Sweet, Savory, And Everything In Between
Discover the ultimate guide to the best scone recipes! From sweet to savory and everything in between, find your perfect scone here.
Author:Liam JonesReviewer:Maya ReyesSep 01, 202416K Shares328.4K Views
Scones are a beloved treat enjoyed worldwide, known for their versatility and delicious flavor. Whether you prefer sweet or savory, there’s a scone recipe to suit every palate. This comprehensive guide will provide you with a collection of the best scone recipes, tips for perfecting your baking technique, and answers to common questions. Dive into the world of scones and discover how to create these delightful baked goods in your own kitchen.
A Brief History Of Scones
Origins Of Scones
Just as scones have evolved from their humble beginnings in Scotland to become a beloved treat enjoyed worldwide, the culinary traditions of other regions offer equally rich and diverse flavors.
For those who love exploring new tastes, why not discover the flavors of Bosnia? Just as scones have their roots in history and tradition, Bosnian cuisine offers a journey through time with its unique blend of influences and rich, hearty dishes.
Whether you're enjoying a sweet scone with jam or savoring a traditional Bosnian dish, both experiences provide a delicious connection to the past.
Scones In Modern Times
Today, scones are a staple in British and Irish cuisine, often served with tea. They have also gained popularity worldwide, with numerous variations and flavors catering to different tastes and cultural influences.
Essential Tips For Perfect Scones
Choosing The Right Ingredients
- Flour: Use all-purpose flour for a tender texture. For whole wheat or gluten-free scones, choose the appropriate flour.
- Butter: Cold, unsalted butter is essential for flaky scones. Cut it into small cubes before incorporating it into the flour.
- Liquid: Use whole milk, buttermilk, or cream for rich, moist scones. Non-dairy alternatives can also be used.
- Leavening Agents: Baking powder is typically used to give scones their rise. Ensure it is fresh for the best results.
Mixing Techniques
- Cutting in Butter: Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to blend the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. This step is crucial for flaky scones.
- Avoid Overmixing: Mix the dough just until it comes together. Overmixing can lead to tough scones.
Shaping And Baking
- Shaping the Dough: Pat the dough into a circle or rectangle and cut it into wedges or rounds. Handle the dough as little as possible to avoid overworking it.
- Baking: Preheat your oven to ensure even baking. Bake scones on a parchment-lined baking sheet for easy cleanup.
Best Sweet Scone Recipes
Classic English Scones
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 1/2 cup whole milk or cream
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional: raisins or currants
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, and vanilla. Add to the flour mixture and stir until just combined.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and pat into a circle about 1 inch thick. Cut into 8 wedges and place on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve warm with clotted cream and jam.
Blueberry Lemon Scones
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, egg, vanilla, and lemon zest. Add to the flour mixture and stir until just combined.
- Gently fold in the blueberries.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and pat into a circle about 1 inch thick. Cut into 8 wedges and place on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve warm.
Chocolate Chip Scones
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup chocolate chips
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the cream, egg, and vanilla. Add to the flour mixture and stir until just combined.
- Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and pat into a circle about 1 inch thick. Cut into 8 wedges and place on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve warm.
Best Savory Scone Recipes
Cheddar And Chive Scones
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Stir in the cheese and chives.
- Add the buttermilk and stir until just combined.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and pat into a circle about 1 inch thick. Cut into 8 wedges and place on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve warm.
Bacon And Cheese Scones
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 1/2 cup crumbled cooked bacon
- 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
- 3/4 cup milk
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Stir in the bacon and cheese.
- Add the milk and stir until just combined.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and pat into a circle about 1 inch thick. Cut into 8 wedges and place on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve warm.
Herb And Parmesan Scones
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs (such as rosemary, thyme, or parsley)
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Stir in the Parmesan cheese and herbs.
- Add the cream and stir until just combined.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and pat into a circle about 1 inch thick. Cut into 8 wedges and place on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve warm.
Gluten-Free And Vegan Scone Recipes
Gluten-Free Blueberry Scones
Ingredients:
- 2 cups gluten-free flour blend
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed (or dairy-free alternative)
- 1/2 cup buttermilk (or non-dairy milk with 1 tablespoon lemon juice)
- 1 large egg (or flax egg for vegan)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, egg, and vanilla. Add to the flour mixture and stir until just combined.
- Gently fold in the blueberries.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and pat into a circle about 1 inch thick. Cut into 8 wedges and place on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve warm.
Vegan Pumpkin Spice Scones
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 cup cold coconut oil, solid
- 3/4 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/4 cup almond milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and spices.
- Cut in the coconut oil until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, almond milk, and vanilla. Add to the flour mixture and stir until just combined.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and pat into a circle about 1 inch thick. Cut into 8 wedges and place on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve warm.
Serving And Storing Scones
Serving Suggestions
Scones are best served warm, either plain or with various accompaniments. Here are some classic and creative ways to enjoy your scones:
- Traditional: With clotted cream and jam.
- Sweet: Drizzled with a simple glaze or icing.
- Savory: With butter or a spread of your choice, such as cream cheese or a flavored butter.
Storing And Reheating
To store scones, let them cool completely and place them in an airtight container. They can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 days or frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, warm them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-10 minutes or until heated through.
FAQs About Best Scone Recipes
What Is The Secret To Making Scones Rise?
The key to making scones rise is using fresh baking powder and cold ingredients. Cutting in cold butter or oil creates pockets of air that expand during baking, resulting in a light and fluffy texture.
Can I Make Scones Ahead Of Time?
Yes, you can prepare the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. Alternatively, you can freeze unbaked scones and bake them directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
How Do I Prevent Scones From Spreading Too Much?
To prevent scones from spreading, make sure your dough is not too warm. Chilling the dough for about 15-30 minutes before baking can help maintain their shape. Also, avoid overworking the dough, which can cause spreading.
Can I Substitute Ingredients In Scone Recipes?
Yes, you can substitute ingredients to suit your dietary preferences or what you have on hand. For example, you can use non-dairy milk instead of regular milk or coconut oil instead of butter. Just keep in mind that substitutions may slightly alter the texture and flavor of the scones.
What Is The Difference Between British And American Scones?
British scones are typically less sweet and more dense than American scones. They are often served with clotted cream and jam. American scones tend to be sweeter, richer, and often include mix-ins like fruits, nuts, or chocolate chips.
Conclusion
While scones are a delightful treat that can be customized with various flavors and ingredients, it's also important to consider the nutritional aspects of your baking.
Incorporating whole grains or adding fruits like berries or dried apricots not only enhances the flavor but also increases the fiber content, contributing to the importance of fiber in digestive health.
By balancing taste and nutrition, you can create scones that are not only delicious but also beneficial for your overall well-being.
Liam Jones
Author
Liam Jones has made it his mission to prove that adventure doesn’t need a hefty budget. Having traveled to over 40 countries, he specializes in finding affordable ways to experience the world, from the best street food in Bangkok to hidden gems in Lisbon.
Liam’s travel tips have reached thousands of readers, empowering them to see the world on a shoestring budget without sacrificing quality. With a deep passion for local cultures, he continues to share his travel hacks, ensuring adventure remains accessible to all.
Maya Reyes
Reviewer
Maya Reyes’s wanderlust was sparked in the temples of Luang Prabang, where the scent of lemongrass and the chants of monks revealed the transformative power of travel.
Since then, her journey has been defined by cultural immersion and authentic connections. From learning batik in Indonesia to sharing meals with nomadic families in Mongolia, Maya seeks experiences that highlight the human stories behind each destination.
Travel for her is a way to weave her narrative into the world’s cultural tapestry, creating bridges across diverse ways of life. Maya has traveled to 15 countries and shares her insights through writing and storytelling.
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