16 Scone Recipes So Buttery and Tender You Will Never Buy Them Again

There is something about a warm scone that makes any morning feel slow and special, even on a busy Tuesday. Crisp edges, a soft middle and a little pat of butter melting into the crumb. These scone recipes cover the cozy British classics, fun American bakery styles, fall flavors and savory scones you can serve with soup. The best part? They mix up in one bowl and bake in under 20 minutes. Put the kettle on and let’s bake..

Scone Recipes Start With the Perfect Basic Scone

Every great scone starts with three rules: keep the butter cold, do not overwork the dough, and bake hot. Follow those and you will get tall, flaky scones that split open with your fingers. This basic dough is your blank canvas for every flavor in this list. Be honest: are you a jam first or cream first person?

You will need: You need: 2 cups all purpose flour, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 cup cold butter (cubed), 2/3 cup cold milk or cream, 1 egg, plus milk for brushing.

How to make it: Steps: 1. Heat oven to 425 F. 2. Whisk dry ingredients and rub in the butter until it looks like coarse crumbs. 3. Mix egg and milk, stir in just until the dough comes together. 4. Pat 1 inch thick and cut rounds. 5. Brush tops with milk and bake 12 to 15 minutes until golden.

Scone Recipes for a Classic Cream Tea

In Devon and Cornwall, a cream tea is a proper ritual: plain scones, thick clotted cream, strawberry jam and a pot of tea. The two counties even argue over the order. In Devon, cream goes on first; in Cornwall, jam goes first. Poll time: which side are you on? A) Devon, cream first or B) Cornwall, jam first?

You will need: You need: 1 batch basic scone dough, clotted cream (or mascarpone whipped with a little cream), strawberry jam, hot tea.

How to make it: Steps: 1. Cut the dough into small 2 inch rounds. 2. Bake at 425 F for 10 to 12 minutes. 3. Cool slightly, split by hand. 4. Spread with cream and jam in the order you love. 5. Serve with a pot of tea.

Tall Buttermilk Scones

Buttermilk gives scones a gentle tang and a super soft crumb. The trick for height is to cut straight down without twisting the cutter, so the edges stay open and can rise. These are the scones you make on a slow Saturday when the house smells like butter and coffee.

You will need: You need: 3 cups flour, 1/3 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 3/4 cup cold butter, 1 cup cold buttermilk, 1 egg.

How to make it: Steps: 1. Rub butter into the dry ingredients. 2. Stir in buttermilk and egg until shaggy. 3. Fold the dough over itself 3 times for layers. 4. Cut straight down into rounds. 5. Bake at 425 F for 14 to 16 minutes.

Mini Scones for an Afternoon Tea Party

Planning a baby shower, a birthday or a Sunday tea with friends? Bite size scones look adorable on a tiered stand next to tiny sandwiches and cakes. Bake them small, serve them warm and set out little bowls of jam, lemon curd and cream. Guests always reach for these first. Mini scone recipes like this also freeze well, so you can bake ahead and relax on party day.

You will need: You need: 1 batch basic scone dough, 1 egg (beaten), lemon curd, jam, whipped cream.

How to make it: Steps: 1. Pat the dough 3/4 inch thick. 2. Cut 1 1/2 inch rounds. 3. Brush with beaten egg. 4. Bake at 425 F for 9 to 11 minutes. 5. Arrange on a tiered stand with spreads in small bowls.

Scone Recipes From Grandma: Old Fashioned Sultana Scones

Grandma’s tea table almost always had a plate of fruit scones dotted with plump sultanas or raisins. Soaking the fruit in hot tea for 10 minutes makes it extra juicy. Of all the scone recipes here, this is the one that tastes most like a British village bakery.

You will need: You need: 1 batch basic scone dough, 2/3 cup sultanas or raisins, 1/2 cup hot black tea, 1 teaspoon orange zest.

How to make it: Steps: 1. Soak sultanas in hot tea for 10 minutes, then drain and pat dry. 2. Toss fruit and zest into the dry mix before adding liquid. 3. Shape and cut. 4. Bake at 425 F for 13 to 15 minutes until golden.

Jammy Fruit Scones

Would you rather spread jam on top, or find a pocket of it baked right inside? This version does both. A little spoonful of jam pressed into the middle bakes into a sticky center, and you still split it open for more. Kids love it, and so do grown ups who pretend they don’t.

You will need: You need: 1 batch basic scone dough with 1/2 cup currants, 1/3 cup thick strawberry or raspberry jam, coarse sugar.

How to make it: Steps: 1. Cut thick rounds. 2. Press a small well into the top of each. 3. Fill with a teaspoon of jam. 4. Sprinkle with coarse sugar. 5. Bake at 425 F for 14 minutes and cool for 5 minutes before eating.

Blueberry Scones Like a Coffee Shop

Coffee shop blueberry scones can cost as much as a lunch. Make a whole batch for less. Use frozen blueberries straight from the freezer so they do not bleed purple all over the dough. A crunchy sugar top makes them feel extra fancy. Are you a blueberry or a chocolate chip person?

You will need: You need: 1 batch basic scone dough, 1 cup frozen blueberries, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, 2 tablespoons coarse sugar.

How to make it: Steps: 1. Add lemon zest to the dry mix. 2. Fold in frozen blueberries at the very end. 3. Pat into a circle and cut 8 wedges. 4. Sprinkle with sugar. 5. Bake at 400 F for 18 to 20 minutes.

Maple Glazed Oat Scones

These taste like a cozy fall morning at a cabin. Rolled oats add a nutty chew and real maple syrup goes in both the dough and the glaze. They are a copycat of the famous coffee shop maple oat scone, but softer and fresher. Make them on a Sunday and enjoy them all week.

You will need: You need: 1 1/2 cups flour, 1 cup rolled oats, 1 tablespoon baking powder, 1/2 cup cold butter, 1/3 cup maple syrup, 1/2 cup cream, 1 egg. Glaze: 1 cup powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons maple syrup.

How to make it: Steps: 1. Mix flour, oats and baking powder, rub in butter. 2. Stir in maple, cream and egg. 3. Shape into a rectangle and cut triangles. 4. Bake at 400 F for 16 to 18 minutes. 5. Drizzle with maple glaze.

Savory Scone Recipes: Sharp Cheddar and Chive

Savory scone recipes deserve way more love. Sharp cheddar and fresh chives turn a breakfast bake into the perfect partner for tomato soup, chili or a bowl of eggs. Leave out the sugar, add a pinch of mustard powder and grate the cheese yourself so it melts in pockets.

You will need: You need: 2 cups flour, 1 tablespoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder, 1/2 cup cold butter, 1 1/2 cups grated sharp cheddar, 3 tablespoons chives, 3/4 cup cold milk.

How to make it: Steps: 1. Mix dry ingredients and rub in butter. 2. Toss in most of the cheese and chives. 3. Add milk and stir gently. 4. Cut rounds and top with remaining cheese. 5. Bake at 425 F for 15 minutes.

Double Chocolate Chunk Scones

Quick poll: is chocolate allowed at breakfast? A) Yes, always, B) only on weekends, or C) only on birthdays. These dark cocoa scones with melty chunks say the answer is A. They are rich but not too sweet, and amazing with a cold glass of milk or a strong coffee. Chocolate scone recipes are a fun way to get kids baking with you.

You will need: You need: 1 3/4 cups flour, 1/3 cup cocoa powder, 1/3 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon baking powder, 1/2 cup cold butter, 3/4 cup chocolate chunks, 2/3 cup cream, 1 egg.

How to make it: Steps: 1. Whisk flour, cocoa, sugar and baking powder. 2. Rub in butter and add chocolate. 3. Stir in cream and egg. 4. Shape into a disc and cut 8 wedges. 5. Bake at 400 F for 16 to 18 minutes.

Oat and Cranberry Breakfast Scones

Want something a little heartier for busy mornings? These square scones use whole wheat flour, oats and tart dried cranberries, with just enough honey to keep them sweet. Cutting squares instead of circles means no scraps, so every bit of dough becomes a scone. Wrap and freeze them for grab and go breakfasts.

You will need: You need: 1 cup whole wheat flour, 1 cup all purpose flour, 3/4 cup oats, 1 tablespoon baking powder, 1/2 cup cold butter, 3/4 cup dried cranberries, 1/4 cup honey, 2/3 cup milk.

How to make it: Steps: 1. Combine dry ingredients and rub in butter. 2. Add cranberries. 3. Stir in honey and milk. 4. Pat into a square and cut 9 pieces. 5. Bake at 400 F for 15 to 17 minutes.

Scone Recipes for Fall: Pumpkin Spice Scones

It is late October, so of course pumpkin is here. Real pumpkin puree makes these scones moist and bright orange, and warm spices make the whole house smell like autumn. Top them with a simple vanilla glaze and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Will you bake these for Thanksgiving weekend?

You will need: You need: 2 cups flour, 1/3 cup brown sugar, 1 tablespoon baking powder, 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice, 1/2 cup cold butter, 1/2 cup pumpkin puree, 1/4 cup cream, 1 egg. Glaze: 1 cup powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons milk, vanilla.

How to make it: Steps: 1. Mix dry ingredients and rub in butter. 2. Whisk pumpkin, cream and egg, then stir in. 3. Cut into wedges. 4. Bake at 400 F for 16 to 18 minutes. 5. Glaze once cool.

Gingerbread Scones for Christmas Morning

Christmas is coming fast, and these molasses scones taste just like a gingerbread cookie in soft, flaky form. Bake them the day before, then warm them on Christmas morning while everyone opens presents. A little crystallized ginger on top adds a sweet spicy crunch.

You will need: You need: 2 cups flour, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1 tablespoon baking powder, 2 teaspoons ground ginger, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon cloves, 1/2 cup cold butter, 1/4 cup molasses, 1/2 cup cream, chopped crystallized ginger.

How to make it: Steps: 1. Mix dry ingredients and rub in butter. 2. Stir in molasses and cream. 3. Shape and cut 8 wedges. 4. Top with crystallized ginger. 5. Bake at 400 F for 15 to 17 minutes.

Easy Scone Recipes for Beginners: Lemon Cream Scones

Cream scones skip the butter rubbing step completely, which makes them the easiest scone recipes for beginners. Heavy cream brings all the fat you need. Add lemon zest to the dough and a sharp lemon glaze on top, and they taste like sunshine on a gray day.

You will need: You need: 2 cups flour, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, zest of 2 lemons, 1 1/4 cups heavy cream. Glaze: 1 cup powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons lemon juice.

How to make it: Steps: 1. Rub zest into the sugar to release the oils. 2. Whisk with flour, baking powder and salt. 3. Stir in cream until just combined. 4. Cut 8 wedges and bake at 425 F for 14 minutes. 5. Glaze when cool.

Fresh Strawberry Scones

Fresh strawberries make soft, juicy pockets in a tender cream dough. Dice them small and keep the dough cold so the berries do not turn everything soggy. Serve with whipped cream for a cute twist on strawberry shortcake. Love brunch at home? See our weekend brunch recipes too.

You will need: You need: 1 batch basic scone dough made with cream, 1 cup diced fresh strawberries, 1 teaspoon vanilla, coarse sugar.

How to make it: Steps: 1. Add vanilla to the cream. 2. Gently fold diced strawberries into the dough at the end. 3. Pat out on a floured board and cut wedges. 4. Chill 10 minutes. 5. Sprinkle with sugar and bake at 400 F for 18 to 20 minutes.

Savory Herb and Parmesan Scones

Last on our list of scone recipes, and maybe the most surprising. Fresh rosemary, thyme and parmesan make a savory scone that sits happily next to a roast chicken, a pot of stew or a cheese board. Which would you choose for dinner: A) herb scones, B) dinner rolls, or C) cornbread?

You will need: You need: 2 cups flour, 1 tablespoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 cup cold butter, 2/3 cup grated parmesan, 1 tablespoon chopped rosemary, 1 teaspoon thyme, 3/4 cup cold milk, 1 egg.

How to make it: Steps: 1. Mix dry ingredients, herbs and cheese. 2. Rub in butter. 3. Stir in milk and egg. 4. Pat and cut rounds. 5. Brush with egg and bake at 425 F for 14 to 16 minutes.