Buttery Apple Scones Recipe
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These tender and tasty Apple Scones capture the wonderful flavors of fall. Soft, buttery, and full of cozy cinnamon-apple flavor, they’re ready in 30 minutes and perfect for fall mornings, weekend brunch, in lunch boxes, or as a delightful tea-time treat.
These simple Apple Cinnamon Scones are an easy and delicious treat you can make in just 30 minutes! Without a mixer! Filled with warm apple cinnamon flavor, they’re easy enough for even a beginner baker!
Made with pantry staples and fresh chopped apples, these homemade apple scones are perfect for cozy fall mornings, relaxing weekends, or simply taking a break with an afternoon cup of tea. But they’re also great all year long for everything from brunches to boxed lunches!
Why Try This Apple Scone Recipe
Flavorful – These are soft and tender with a crisp golden edge and full of warm apple flavor.
Easy – This simple recipe is easy to make with pantry staples you likely already have on hand.
Quick – These apple scones come together and bake quickly, making them great for busy mornings.
Seasonal – Who doesn’t love apples this time of year? But these are also great all year ‘round.
Ingredients for Apple Scones
These delicious baked apple treats come together with common ingredients likely in your kitchen already.
- All purpose flour – use your favorite gluten free flour baking alternative
- Granulated sugar
- Baking powder – not baking soda
- Cinnamon – Make sure this is fresh and in-date to get the best flavor from it
- Salt
- Unsalted butter
- Apple – I like to use Honeycrisp or Granny Smith apples
- Heavy cream
- Egg
- Vanilla extract – use a quality extract with a good flavor to it.
Equipment Needed To Make
2 mixing bowls
Cutting board
Pastry cutter
Knife
Baking sheet
Parchment paper
Substitutions & Alterations
- Use a gluten free baking flour if required
- You can sub fresh pears for the apple, or do a combination of the two!
- Try adding a little Homemade Chai Spice or Apple Pie Spice Mix in place of the cinnamon for a fun flavor twist
- You can add other dried fruits like craisins or dried blueberry or some chopped nuts to the batter before baking. I don’t recommend adding more fresh fruit or the batter may become too wet and sticky when baking.
- Try different toppings like caramel bits or a cinnamon sugar combo.
How to Make Homemade Apple Scones
Step by Step Instructions overview – Full recipe in recipe card below.
Step 1 – Add dry ingredients to a large bowl bowl
Step 2 – Cut cold butter into the dry ingredients with a pastry cutter.
Step 3 – Add diced apple
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Step 4 – In a separate bowl, whisk cream, egg, and vanilla. Pour the combined wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir gently just until combined.
Step 5 – Turn the dough onto a floured surface and roll into a circle.
Step 6 – Slice into 8 equal- sized wedges and transfer to the prepared baking sheet.
Step 7 – Brush the tops with cream and bake.
Step 8 – Let cool and top with optional glaze, if desired.
Raquel’s Time Saving Tips & Tricks for the Best Scones
- Use cold ingredients (especially the butter!) to keep scones fluffy.
- A bench scraper or pizza cutter helps divide the dough neatly into wedges.
- Do not overmix the batter.
- If glazing, let scones cool slightly so the glaze sets without melting off.
What to Serve with Apple Cinnamon Scones
Serve apple scones warm with a pat of butter or a drizzle of simple glaze like the one from my Vanilla Muffins.
These scones also make a delicious dessert served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel syrup.
These scones also go great with a big mug of Hot Apple Cider, Hot Vanilla Milk, or Creamy Hot Chocolate.
Storage Suggestion
Store in an airtight container and eat within 2-3 days.
More Apple Recipes
If you’re an apple lover, these cozy desserts are sure to make your kitchen smell amazing! My classic Apple Crisp is warm, buttery, and topped with a sweet oat crumble that’s irresistible. The Apple Cinnamon Muffins are soft, spiced, and perfect for breakfast or a snack. For a simple yet elegant treat, the Puff Pastry Apple Tart delivers beautiful layers of apples baked to golden perfection. And don’t miss my Bisquick Apple Cobbler – a quick and comforting dessert that comes together in minutes. Each one is easy to make and filled with that delicious homemade apple flavor everyone loves.
Apple Scones
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup cold unsalted butter cut into small cubes
- 1 cup finely chopped peeled apple such as Honeycrisp or Granny Smith
- ½ cup heavy cream plus more for brushing
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional Glaze: ½ cup powdered sugar 1-2 teaspoons milk and a splash of vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
- Cut in cold butter using a pastry cutter or fingers until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Stir in the diced apple.
- In a separate bowl, whisk cream, egg, and vanilla. Pour into the dry ingredients and stir gently just until combined. Do not overmix.
- Turn the dough onto a floured surface. Pat into an 8-inch circle, about ¾-inch thick.
- Slice the dough into 8 wedges and transfer to the prepared baking sheet.
- Brush the tops with cream.
- Bake for 15–18 minutes or until golden. Cool slightly before serving.
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These autumnal scones sound delicious.