Foolproof Scones Recipe (Any Flavor!) (2024)

Scones can be tricky to make...but not with our big fluffy scones recipe! In this post we will teach you how to make delicious, flavor filled scones with perfect texture every single time. Our scones recipe is made with buttermilk and contains all of the main ingredients that you need to make a batch of scones - you choose the add-ins that fit the flavors that you are craving or the ingredients that you already have in the house.

I've made a lot of scones over the years and they didn't always come our well. Most often they would flatten and spread out. I kept trying until I found the perfect recipe that always comes out perfect and I'm so excited to share it with you. Follow our detailed step by step instructions and images to make the best batch of scones that you have ever made! If you want a scone recipe that has already been created for you, be sure to check out our pineapple coconut scones or our lemon white chocolate scones.

🧈 Ingredients

cake flour - I love the texture that cake flour creates - you can also use all purpose flour (plain flour) or a gluten free flour blend

sugar - adds sweetness to the scone and perfectly crisp edges

baking powder - gives the scones perfect lift and a light and fluffy texture

salt - balances the flavors in the scones

unsalted butter - for those flaky layers - be sure that your stick of butter is frozen

buttermilk or heavy cream - milk works too but I find the buttermilk and heavy cream each add depth and richness to the scones that I really love

eggs - pulls the scone together and helps to create that that perfect shape and structure

vanilla extract - creates depth and adds sweetness to the scone

Be sure to see the recipe card for the full list of ingredients and detailed recipe instructions.

🥣 Instructions

Combine dry ingredients (flour, sugar, salt and baking powder) in a large mixing bowl.

Use your cheese grater to grate the frozen butter directly into the dry ingredients. Use a fork to work the butter into the dry ingredients.

Add the liquid ingredients (buttermilk, egg and vanilla) to the dry ingredients.

Gently fold in the fruits, nuts or chocolate that you will be using for your batch of scones.

Hint: When adding fresh fruit and berries to your recipe, always freeze the fruit for 30-45 minutes. The frozen fruit is less likely to break apart as you mix it in and the scones come out best when the dough is nice and cold - the frozen fruit helps to keep the dough cold.

🍫 Substitutions

All Purpose (Plain) Flour - if you don't have cake flour around, you can use all purpose flour instead. Use 2 cups and leave out the additional 2 tablespoons of cake flour called for in the recipe.

Gluten Free Flour - we've had great luck using a gluten free flour blend in place of all purpose flour in our scone recipes. We prefer King Arthur Measure for Measure when making gluten free scones.

🍋 Variations

There are so many delicious flavors that you can add to a scone recipe. Use our basic recipe as a jumping off point and make the scones the way that you want them! We have listed some possible add ins and flavors for you here and have also linked to some of our favorite scone recipes.

• Berries - mix in 1 cup of your favorite berries (we actually used blueberries when we photographed this recipe)
• Fruits - peaches, mangos and pineapple all make nice additions to a scone - dice fruit into ½ inch pieces - freeze on a sheet pan before adding to your dough
• Chocolate - add your favorite variety of chocolate to the scone dough - mini chips and larger chunks of chocolate are my favorite
• Nuts - add ½ cup of your favorite nuts - some ideas are toasted coconut flakes, pecans, sliced almonds and walnuts
• Dried Fruits - mix in ½ cup dried cranberries, raisins or dried blueberries.
• Flavors - vanilla is a classic but you can also add cinnamon, nutmeg or cardamom for a nice twist
• Citrus - both the fresh citrus zest and juice are nice additions to a scone - add about 2 tablespoons of zest and 2 tablespoons of juice to a scone recipe

⭐️ Glaze and Garnish Ideas

• citrus glaze - combine ½ cup of confectioner's sugar with 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed citrus juice
• chocolate - drizzle melted milk, white or dark chocolate over baked scones
• vanilla or almond glaze - combine ½ cup confectioner's sugar with ½ teaspoon vanilla or almond extract and 1.5 tablespoons of milk
• dust with confectioner's sugar

❤️ Scone Recipes from Maple and Thyme

📦 Storage

Store baked scones for 1-2 days in an airtight container at room temperature.

I find that scones are best when they are freshly baked. You get those dreamy crisp edges and tender middles. In my opinion, scones don't keep well so it's best to bake scones fresh on the day that you plan to enjoy them. Because of this, I prefer to keep unbaked dough in the freezer and bake scones when I want them.

To do this, you'll want to freeze the cut scones until they are completely solid and then transfer the frozen dough to a storage bag or container. When you are ready to bake the scones, you transfer the number of scones that you want to your baking sheet, brush with heavy cream and bake 400°. Be sure to add a few extra minutes to the baking time if the dough is frozen solid.

For complete, step-by-step instructions on how to freeze scones visit our post - How To Freeze Scones - An Easy to Follow Guide.

🤓 Frequently Asked Questions About Baking Scones

📖 Recipe