Homemade scones that bake up flaky and golden with simple pantry ingredients—perfect for breakfast or afternoon tea.
⏱ Time: 30 minutes
🍽 Servings: 8 scones
⭐ Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
Scones
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
- ¾ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
For Serving
- Strawberry or raspberry jam
- Whipped cream or clotted cream
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt.
- Add the cold butter and cut it into the flour mixture using a pastry cutter or your fingertips until it resembles coarse crumbs with small pieces of butter remaining.
- Stir in the milk and vanilla extract just until the dough comes together. Avoid overmixing.
- Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently press it into a 1-inch thick circle.
- Cut into 8 wedges, or use a round biscuit cutter for traditional round scones.
- Transfer the scones to the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the tops are lightly golden.
- Let cool for a few minutes before serving warm with jam and whipped cream or clotted cream.
Quick Notes
- Keep the butter as cold as possible for tender, flaky layers.
- Mix the dough only until combined to keep the scones soft.
- Bake just until lightly golden to avoid dry scones.
- Delicious served with fresh berries, lemon curd, honey butter, or your favorite fruit preserves.
- Best enjoyed warm the day they're baked, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days and gently reheated.
