How to Make Scones – Spend With Pennies

This scones recipe will guide you, step-by-step, to making scones that are buttery with flaky layers.

This is a basic scones recipe that can be enjoyed with butter or jam – or you can add fruits, cheeses, or herbs to change the flavor.

They’re easy to make with pantry staples and are lovely as a breakfast or snack.

baked scones on a plate

What is a Scone?

  • Scones are a British baked good, similar to an American  ‘biscuit’ in texture.
  • Fluffy and flaky, they can be sweet or savory.
  • Easy to make, scones can be made in different shapes and sizes, from mini triangle shapes to round biscuit shapes.
  • Serve them warm for breakfast with jam or with afternoon tea, or make mini savory scones and serve them as appetizers.
ingredients to make Scones with labels

Ingredients for Scones

Dry Ingredients – Pantry staples including all-purpose flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt make up the base of these scones.

Butter – Scones need a solid fat to create that perfect light and extra crumbly texture. Unsalted butter is the best choice for flavor and much like when making pie crust or biscuits, the colder the better!

Milk/Cream Milk and cream help the dough to bind, add richness, and help with browning. Buttermilk can be used in place add a bit of tang.

How to Make Scones

  1. Combine all dry ingredients in a large bowl & use a pastry blender to cut in the chilled butter.
  2. Mix eggs & cream (per recipe below). Add the wet ingredients to the flour mixture until barely combined.
  3. Knead dough by lightly pressing & folding it on a lightly floured surface (this is the stage for add-ins).
  4. Shape dough into a circle & cut into 8 equal wedges. Brush with milk & bake until golden brown.

To add fruit to the scone dough, prepare the dough as directed. Before forming triangles, add the fruit while gently folding the scone dough until the fruit is incorporated.

Scones can be prepared, frozen, and baked without thawing.

Prepare the dough as directed and freeze on a sheet pan. Once frozen, store in a freezer bag. Bake frozen scones as directed, increasing the bake time by about 5 minutes.

Tips for Perfect Scones

  • Use cold butter to ensure that scones are light and fluffy. The pockets of chilled butter create flaky layers.
  • Use a pastry cutter or a fork to cut in the butter.
  • Knead just until smooth; heat from your hands can melt the butter.
  • For best results, add optional ingredients and shape the dough quickly.
  • When patting out the dough, very lightly flour the work surface if needed, I prefer to work on parchment paper. Additional flour on the surface can make the dough dense.

Sweet & Savory Spreads For Scones

close up of cooked Scones in a baking sheet

Did you make these homemade Scones? Leave us a rating and a comment below! 

close up of Scones on a plate

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How to Make Scones (basic scone recipe)

Tender and flaky homemade scones are the perfect snack to go with afternoon coffee or tea!

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes

Total Time 1 hour

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F.

  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt.

  • Add the cold butter to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry blender, work the butter into the flour mixture until it has the texture of coarse crumbs.

  • In a separate bowl combine eggs and heavy cream. Add the egg mixture to the flour mixture and stir until just combined.

  • Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead gently by pressing and folding for about 10-12 strokes to form a dough.

  • Gently pat the dough into an 8-inch circle. With a sharp knife, cut the circle into 8 even wedges.

  • Transfer the wedges to an ungreased baking sheet, placing them approximately 1 inch apart. Brush the tops with milk.

  • Bake for 20-23 minutes or until golden brown.

  • Remove from the baking sheet and transfer to a wire rack to cool.

  • Use cold butter to ensure that scones are light and fluffy. The pockets of chilled butter create flaky layers.
  • Use a pastry cutter or a fork to cut in the butter.
  • Knead just until smooth; heat from your hands can melt the butter.
  • For best results, add optional ingredients and shape the dough quickly.
  • When patting out the dough, very lightly flour the work surface if needed, I prefer to work on parchment paper. Additional flour on the surface can make the dough dense.

Any of the following can be added:

  • ½ cup dried fruit.
  • 1 cup finely shredded cheddar cheese or ½ cup parmesan cheese.
  • 1 teaspoon of lemon or orange zest or 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
  • 1 cup of fresh or frozen fruit, well-drained and patted dry. Frozen fruit does not need to be thawed.

Calories: 313 | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 86mg | Sodium: 161mg | Potassium: 686mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 624IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 289mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Bread, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine American
homemade scones on a plate with text
a plate of homemade scones with text
baked scones on a plate with text
Top image - baked scones on a plate. Bottom image - baked scones in a baking tray with text

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