Master Scone Recipe
This basic scone recipe serves as the foundation for a variety of delicious scones. Customize with your favorite add-ins for both sweet and savory versions.
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Servings: 8 large or 16 small scones
Full Ingredient List
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 2 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 cup (8 Tbsp; 113g) unsalted butter, frozen
- 1/2 cup (120ml) heavy cream or buttermilk
- 1 large egg
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1-1.5 cups add-ins such as chocolate chips, berries, nuts, fruit
- optional: coarse sugar for topping
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Scone Dough
Tools and Equipment
- box grater
- pastry cutter
- whisk
- silicone spatula
- baking sheet
- parchment paper
Ingredients
| Quantity | Name | Preparation Notes | Substitutions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 cups | all-purpose flour | spooned and leveled | |
| 1/2 cup | granulated sugar | ||
| 2 and 1/2 teaspoons | baking powder | ||
| 1/2 cup | unsalted butter | frozen, grated | |
| 1/2 cup | heavy cream or buttermilk | canned coconut milk | |
| 1 | large egg | ||
| 1 and 1/2 teaspoons | pure vanilla extract | ||
| 1-1.5 cups | add-ins (e.g., chocolate chips, berries, nuts) | ||
| optional, for topping | coarse sugar | ||
| 1/2 teaspoon | salt |
Instructions
- Step 1: Whisk together flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder in a large bowl.
- Step 2: Grate the frozen butter using a box grater and add it to the flour mixture. Combine with a pastry cutter, two forks, or your fingers until the mixture forms pea-sized crumbs.
- Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk the heavy cream, egg, and vanilla extract together.
- Step 4: Drizzle the wet ingredients over the flour mixture, add your chosen add-ins, and mix until everything is moistened.
- Step 5: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and shape it into a ball. If sticky, add more flour; if too dry, add more cream. Flatten into an 8-inch disc and cut into 8 wedges for large scones.
- Step 6: For mini scones, divide the dough into two 5-inch discs and cut each into 8 wedges.
- Step 7: Brush with additional heavy cream and sprinkle with coarse sugar, if desired.
- Step 8: Chill the scones on a lined baking sheet in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes.
- Step 9: Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C).
- Step 10: Arrange chilled scones 2-3 inches apart on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake for 18-26 minutes until golden brown and lightly browned on top.
- Step 11: Cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before serving or storing.
Additional Information
Notes: For optimal results, chill the shaped scones for at least 15 minutes before baking to prevent them from spreading too much.