If you’ve ever daydreamed of pulling warm, bakery-worthy scones out of your own oven, this Easy Scone Recipe is about to become your new favorite kitchen trick. In just ten minutes of hands-on prep, you can whip up the tallest, flakiest, most buttery-soft scones—no fancy equipment or chef credentials required! Whether you like yours basic and buttery, loaded with chocolate chips, or bursting with fresh berries, this recipe has you covered. Grab your mixing bowl and get ready to wow your breakfast crowd, because these scones are truly irresistible and endlessly customizable.

Easy Scone Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this Easy Scone Recipe is in its pared-down ingredient list—just a handful of pantry staples, plus any mix-ins you desire! Each ingredient is carefully chosen to give you the best texture and rich flavor possible. Let’s see what makes these scones so spectacular.

  • All-Purpose Flour: The solid foundation for tall, tender scones—measure carefully for the fluffiest result!
  • Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the dough just enough and helps with browning as the scones bake.
  • Baking Powder: The secret to rise and loft, so your scones turn out bakery-tall every time.
  • Salt: Just a pinch balances the sweetness and brings out all the buttery goodness.
  • Cold Unsalted Butter: Cut in while cold, it creates those gorgeous, flaky pockets as it melts in the oven.
  • Buttermilk: Adds tang and moisture for a tender crumb (regular milk works in a pinch, but buttermilk is magic!).
  • Vanilla Extract: Lends warm, aromatic notes that make every bite feel special.
  • Egg: Binds everything together and adds rich flavor plus that golden finish.
  • Add-Ins (Chocolate Chips, Berries, etc): Get creative with 1-1.5 cups—choose from chocolate chips, white chocolate, or fresh/frozen berries for color and bursts of flavor.

How to Make Easy Scone Recipe

Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients & Cut in Butter

Start by whisking together your flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a big, roomy bowl. Now grab your cold, cubed butter and use a pastry cutter (or clean fingers) to work it in until you have a crumbly mix with butter bits about the size of peas. This is where the magic starts! Those little butter pockets will give you the classic scone flakiness.

Step 2: Make the Dough

Make a well in the center of the dry mix, then pour in your buttermilk, vanilla, and the egg. Stir gently with a spatula just until a thick, sticky dough begins to form. This is also your time to add in any mix-ins, whether you’re feeling chocolatey or fruity. Don’t overmix—gentle is key!

Step 3: Knead and Laminate for Flaky Layers

Turn your dough onto a lightly floured surface or silicone mat. Gently knead a few times to bring it together, adding a little extra flour if needed. Then it’s time to laminate! Fold the dough in half, press down, turn 90 degrees, and repeat this folding and pressing 4-5 times. These folds build up those bakery-style layers that make the Easy Scone Recipe so special.

Step 4: Shape, Chill, and Cut

Pat your dough into a thick disc (about 8-10 inches wide and up to 2 inches tall). Pop it in the fridge for 5-10 minutes—this brief chill keeps the butter cold and results in the best rise. Once chilled, slice your scones into 8 equal wedges (a pizza cutter does wonders here!).

Step 5: Freeze, Brush, and Bake

Lay the wedges on your prepared baking sheet a few inches apart. Freeze for 30 minutes—don’t skip this, as it prevents spread and enhances fluffiness! While they chill, preheat your oven to 400º F. Just before baking, brush the tops with egg wash or a splash of cream, and sprinkle with coarse sugar if you love a little crunch. Bake for 20-26 minutes until golden and tall. Let them cool just a bit before devouring.

How to Serve Easy Scone Recipe

Easy Scone Recipe - Recipe Image

Garnishes

Nothing beats brushing freshly baked scones with a little extra melted butter or a quick glaze of powdered sugar and milk. For added sparkle, a sprinkling of coarse sanding sugar before baking gives every scone that swoon-worthy bakery finish. If you’re indulging in fruit scones, a drizzle of simple lemon glaze makes the flavors pop.

Side Dishes

Scones are a treat all on their own, but they’re even better with accompaniments! Serve them with clotted cream, whipped butter, or thick fruit preserves for British-tea style flair. On the breakfast table, round out the Easy Scone Recipe with a bowl of fresh fruit salad, hot tea, or a creamy vanilla latte.

Creative Ways to Present

Scones look beautiful stacked up on a tiered cake stand for brunch or afternoon tea. For something whimsical, cut your scones into shapes using cookie cutters before baking, or split them and fill with whipped cream and berries for a show-stopping dessert. The best part of this Easy Scone Recipe is that the look is entirely up to you!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers (what a win!), pop your cooled scones into an airtight container. They’ll keep at room temperature for about two days, or tuck them into the fridge for up to a week. A quick zap in the microwave or a few minutes in a low oven will bring them right back to their fresh-baked glory.

Freezing

This Easy Scone Recipe is fantastic for stashing away extras. Freeze unbaked scones on a tray, then transfer to a zip-top bag. Bake straight from frozen—just add a couple of extra minutes to the bake time. You can even freeze baked scones; wrap them tightly to preserve that tender crumb.

Reheating

Need to revive a scone? Place it in a 300º F oven for about 8 minutes or microwave for 15-20 seconds. This little touch-up brings back that delicious, fresh-from-the-oven texture and aroma—and suddenly, breakfast feels special all over again.

FAQs

Can I use regular milk if I don’t have buttermilk?

Absolutely! While buttermilk adds extra tenderness and a subtle tang, regular milk (or even a mix of milk and yogurt) works in a pinch. For the fullest flavor, add a teaspoon of lemon juice or vinegar to your milk and let it sit for a few minutes.

What’s the secret to tall, bakery-style scones?

Super cold butter and a quick hand! Don’t overwork the dough, and be sure to chill the scones before baking. These steps help the Easy Scone Recipe rise tall with lovely layers.

How do I make gluten-free scones?

It’s easy—just substitute a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend, like King Arthur’s Gluten Free Measure for Measure, for the regular flour. The recipe stays the same, and you’ll still get fluffy, delicious results.

Can I use frozen berries or fruit?

Definitely! Just toss the frozen fruit in a tablespoon of flour before adding—it helps prevent excess moisture. If you’re using berries, consider the flour adjustment notes in the recipe for best structure.

How do I keep my scones from spreading too much?

Chilling is key: freeze the scones for at least 30 minutes before baking. That way, the butter stays cold until it hits the oven, which keeps the scones tall and shapely—the Easy Scone Recipe secret weapon!

Final Thoughts

There’s something so rewarding about baking up a batch of homemade scones, especially when the process is as easy and foolproof as this Easy Scone Recipe. I hope you give it a try for your next special breakfast, tea party, or anytime treat—it’s truly a recipe that turns ordinary mornings into cozy memories. Happy baking, friend!

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Easy Scone Recipe

Easy Scone Recipe

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4.9 from 15 reviews

Learn how to make tall, buttery, flaky scones with this easy scone recipe. With just 10 minutes of active prep time, you can create moist, flavorful scones featuring your choice of add-ins that rival those from a bakery.

  • Author: Paula
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 26 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 8 scones
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Plain Scones:

  • 2 ¼ cups (270g) all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup (99g) granulated sugar
  • 1 Tbsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ cup (113g) cold unsalted butter, cubed
  • ½ cup (118ml) buttermilk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 large egg

Add-Ins (optional, add a total of 1-1.5 cups):

  • 1 cup (170g) chocolate chips
  • 1 cup (170g) white chocolate chips
  • 1 cup (120g) fresh raspberries, broken into pieces and frozen
  • 1 cup (150g) blueberries
  • 1 cup (167g) strawberries, chopped

Instructions

  1. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the cold, cubed butter until pea-sized amounts of butter remain.
  2. Add Wet Ingredients: Create a well in the center of the flour mixture. Add buttermilk, vanilla extract, and egg. Gently combine until dough is thick. Stir in mix-ins if using.
  3. Knead and Shape: On a silicone mat or counter, knead the dough until flour is fully incorporated. Shape into a disc and refrigerate.
  4. Laminate: Fold the dough to create layers. Repeat folding process. Shape into a disc and refrigerate.
  5. Cut and Bake: Cut the dough into wedges, place on a baking sheet, freeze, then bake at 400º F for 20-26 minutes. Cool before serving.

Notes

  • Gluten-free option: Substituting with King Arthur’s Gluten-Free Measure for Measure Flour yields great results.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 scone
  • Calories: 555 kcal
  • Sugar: 43g
  • Sodium: 351mg
  • Fat: 27g
  • Saturated Fat: 16g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5g
  • Carbohydrates: 74g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 7g
  • Cholesterol: 57mg

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