Basic Scone Recipe and Add-ins for Flavor Variations

Scones have been a beloved treat in many cultures, and they truly shine when it comes to flavor variety. Originating from the British Isles, these delightful baked goods are often enjoyed alongside a comforting cup of tea or coffee. What makes scones incredibly appealing is their versatility—from sweet to savory, they cater to various taste preferences. A basic scone recipe is just the beginning. It opens the door to countless variations that let you experiment with flavors and textures. In this post, we will go over a simple scone recipe alongside some fantastic add-ins to help you make your scones truly stand out.

Basic Scone Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour

• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar

• 2 Tbsp brown sugar (light or dark)

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 2 ½ tsp baking powder

• 8 Tbsp cold unsalted butter

• 1/2 cup buttermilk (plus 2 Tbsp for brushing)

• 1 large egg

• 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract

• Optional: top with tubinado sugar

Instructions:

1. Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, salt, and baking powder.

2. Add butter: Grate the cold butter using a box grater. Mix into the flour until it resembles coarse crumbs. Chill in the fridge or freezer while prepping wet ingredients.

3. Mix wet ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk the buttermilk, egg, and vanilla together.

4. Combine: Pour wet ingredients over the flour mixture. Add your chosen mix-ins and stir just until everything is moistened.

5. Shape the dough:

   • Turn dough onto a floured surface and shape into an 8-inch disc. Cut into 8 wedges.

6. Chill: Place the scones in the fridge for at least 15 minutes while the oven preheats.

7. Preheat & bake: Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment. Brush tops with 2 Tbsp buttermilk and sprinkle with coarse sugar if desired.Bake 18–26 minutes, until golden brown around edges and lightly browned on top.

8. Cool & store: Let cool slightly. Store leftovers at room temp for 3 days or refrigerate for up to 5.

This basic recipe is your blank canvas.

Along with add-ins, you can also add a glaze to amp up flavor!

-Vanilla Bean Glaze

-Citrus Glaze

-Maple Glaze

-Brown Butter Glaze

Flavor Variations

Now that you have your scone base ready, let’s explore some vibrant and exciting ingredients that can elevate your bread to another level:

Savory Flavors

• Cheddar, Chive, & Ham – 1 cup Shredded sharp cheddar + 3 Tbsp chopped fresh chives + 1/2 cup diced cooked Ham + 1/2 tsp black pepper.

• Rosemary Parmesan – 1 tbsp Fresh rosemary + 1 cup grated Parmesan

• Feta & Spinach – 1 cup crumbled feta + 1/2 cup chopped cooked spinach

• Caramelized Onion & Goat Cheese – 1/2 cup caramelized onions + 1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese

• Roasted Red Pepper & Mozzarella – 1/2 cup chopped roasted red pepper + 1/2cup shredded mozzarella

• Smoked Salmon & Dill – 1/2 cup chopped smoked salmon + 1 Tbsp fresh dill + 2 Tbsp cream cheese

  
  

Sweet Flavors

• Rhubarb & Lemon – Add 1 cup diced fresh rhubarb + zest from 2 lemons and 1 tbsp lemon juice.

• Raspberry & White Chocolate – 1 cup Raspberries + 1/2 cup white chocolate chips.

• Cherry Almond – 1 cup Cherries + 1 tsp almond extract + sliced almonds for topping.

• Chocolate Chip – 1 cup Semi-sweet, dark, or white chocolate chips.

• Maple Pecan – 1 cup Chopped pecans + 1 tsp maple extract + maple glaze.

• Orange Cranberry – 1 cup dried cranberries + zest from 2 oranges and 1 tbsp orange juice.

• Apple Cinnamon – 1 cup diced apple + 1 tsp cinnamon + 1 tsp nutmeg.

• S’mores – 1/2 cup mini marshmallows + 1/2 cup chocolate chunks or chips (semi-sweet or milk chocolate) + 1/4 cup crushed graham crackers (about 2 full sheets).

  
  

Seasonal Scones

• Pumpkin Spice – 1/3 cup pumpkin purée + 1 tsp ground cinnamon + 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg + 1/8 tsp ground cloves + 2 Tbsp brown sugar (use 2 tbso less buttermilk to account for moisture from pumpkin).

• Gingerbread – 3 Tbsp molasses + 1 tsp ground ginger + 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon + 1/8 tsp ground cloves + 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg.

• Peppermint Chocolate – 1/2 cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips or chunks + 1/4 cup crushed candy canes or peppermint candies +1/2 tsp vanilla extract (or sub in peppermint extract if you want extra minty).

• Carrot Cake – 1/2 cup finely grated carrot + 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon + 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans + 1/4 cup raisins or chopped dates (optional but delicious). Add 1/4 tsp nutmeg or a pinch of ginger for more spice.