Indulge in the timeless charm of freshly baked scones with our easy scone recipe. With a few simple ingredients and minimal effort, you’ll have warm, tender scones ready to enjoy in no time. Whether served with clotted cream and jam for an elegant tea or enjoyed as a delightful breakfast treat, these scones are a classic and comforting delight.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
- 2/3 cup milk (plus extra for brushing)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (optional)
- Optional add-ins: raisins, currants, chocolate chips, or dried fruit
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Add the cold, diced butter to the dry ingredients. Use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to work the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. You should still be able to see small pieces of butter.
- If you’re adding any optional ingredients like raisins or chocolate chips, fold them into the mixture now.
- Make a well in the center of the mixture and pour in the milk (and vanilla extract if using). Stir everything together just until the dough comes together. Be careful not to overmix; the dough should be crumbly but hold together.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead it a few times to bring it together. Be gentle; you don’t want to overwork the dough.
- Pat the dough into a circle that’s about 1-inch (2.5 cm) thick. You can use a rolling pin, but it’s not necessary.
- Use a round biscuit cutter or the rim of a glass to cut out scones from the dough. Press straight down and lift without twisting to get nice, even scones. Place each scone onto your prepared baking sheet, spacing them a couple of inches apart.
- Gather any remaining dough scraps, gently pat them together, and cut out more scones until you’ve used all the dough.
- Brush the tops of the scones lightly with milk. This will give them a nice golden finish.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 12-15 minutes or until the scones have risen and turned golden brown on top.
- Remove the scones from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack for a few minutes.
- Serve your freshly baked scones warm with clotted cream, jam, or butter. Enjoy!
These scones are perfect for a quick breakfast or a delightful afternoon tea. You can customize them by adding your favorite mix-ins like berries, nuts, or spices to suit your taste.