This basic scone recipe is perfect as is, but the upgrades and flavor add-ins are nothing to scoff at, either.
Recipe information
Yield
Makes 8 Servings
Ingredients
¼
2
½
½
3
½
1
1¼
Preparation
Step 1
Preheat oven to 375°. Whisk granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and 3 cups flour in a large bowl to combine. Add butter and toss to coat. Using your fingers or a pastry blender, work butter into flour until only pea-size pieces remain. Make a well in the center; add egg and 1¼ cups cream and mix with a fork, incorporating dry ingredients a little at a time, until a shaggy dough forms (it’s okay if it looks a little dry; don’t overwork). Lightly knead dough in bowl until it just comes together.
Step 2
Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and pat into a 1"-thick round. Cut into 8 wedges and transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush dough with cream and sprinkle with demerara sugar. Bake scones until golden brown, 25–30 minutes.
Step 3
Do Ahead: Scones can be made 1 day ahead. Store lightly covered at room temperature.
Variations
Step 4
Lemon-Rosemary: Whisk 2 tsp. finely grated lemon zest and 2 tsp. finely chopped fresh rosemary into flour mixture before adding butter.
Step 5
Cinnamon-Chocolate: Toss 1 cup chopped bittersweet chocolate and 1 tsp. ground cinnamon into flour mixture after working in butter.
Step 6
Double Ginger: Whisk 2 Tbsp. finely chopped candied ginger and 1 Tbsp. finely grated peeled ginger into flour mixture before adding butter.
Step 7
Mixed Berry: Toss 1 cup fresh or frozen berries, cut into pieces if large, into flour mixture after working in butter.
Step 8
Pecan-Oat: Toss ¾ cup old-fashioned oats and ¾ cup chopped toasted pecans into flour mixture before adding butter. Sprinkle ¼ cup oats along with demerara sugar over scones before baking.
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Reviews (134)
Back to TopAbsolutely excellent! have been meaning to attempt scones for years and I finally did. The first batch I made were sweet with mini chocolate chips, cinnamon and pecans. Delicious! My daughter is more into savory so I made a batch with crumbled bacon, sharp cheddar cheese and scallions. Again delicious. Super simple, beautiful and again delicious! I’m kicking myself for not making these sooner.
Sheila G
Chicago
12/6/2023
Amazing! I made the rosemary and lemon version. They are everything that a scone should be. The recipe works out just as it is written. My family loved them! I look forward to making these scones again, and experimenting with other flavor combinations.
Nicole
Chicago, IL
8/16/2023
I have been making the cream scones for years, I add currants or golden raisins and everyone raves about them❤️
Lisa
Long Island,NY
3/12/2023
I have made this recipe so many times I can do it in my sleep. My family loves them and for those who cannot follow a recipe, learn to bake.
ken
St. Paul, MN
4/15/2022
best. scones. ever.
Anonymous
Seat
1/2/2022
Made these with some shredded apple (1c), lemon zest, and a bunch of pie spices. Yummy! Held off on all the cream to make sure the moisture level was right. Ended up delicious! Just the right amount of sweetness, will come back to this.
Madeline H
Athens, GA
11/25/2020
This is not a scone. Give me a job and I'll give you a better recipe! Followed everything to a T and dough was super sticky and wet. The scone had more of a cake like texture. I do love cake, but I was making a scone. Also, it definitely needs more sugar. I used 1/2 cup but feel like it needed just a bit more. Overall, it wasn't bad but it's not a scone.
Anonymous
Los Angeles
10/2/2020