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Easy Scones Recipe for Light, Flaky Scones at Home

Easy Scones Recipe for Light, Flaky Scones at Home

These lightly sweet scones have crisp golden tops, tender centers, and buttery layers. Serve them warm with jam, cream, butter, or your favorite cup of tea.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Scone Dough
  • 2 cups (240 g) All-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup (65-70 g) Granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons Baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon Fine salt
  • 6 tablespoons (85 g) Cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
  • 1 large Large egg
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) Cold heavy cream or whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon, optional Vanilla extract
Finishing
  • 1 tablespoon Cream or milk for brushing
  • As desired Coarse sugar

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Heat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment. Whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt together in a large bowl.
  2. Add the cold cubed butter and cut it into the dry ingredients with a pastry cutter or your fingertips. Stop when the mixture looks like coarse crumbs with some pea-sized butter pieces remaining.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg, cold cream or milk, and vanilla extract if using. Pour the liquid mixture into the flour mixture and stir only until a shaggy dough forms.
  4. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently bring it together without kneading. Pat or roll it into a round about 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick.
  5. Cut the round into 8 wedges, or use a round cutter for individual scones. Place the pieces on the prepared baking sheet with a little space between them.
  6. Chill the shaped scones for 15 to 30 minutes if time allows. Brush the tops with cream or milk and sprinkle with coarse sugar if desired.
  7. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, until the scones are risen and lightly golden. Serve warm.

Notes

Keep the butter and liquid cold, and avoid overmixing. Buttermilk may replace the cream or milk for a tangy flavor. Add 1/2 to 3/4 cup raisins, currants, dried cranberries, chocolate chips, lemon zest, or orange zest if desired.