Classic Scones Recipe

Scones are a traditional British baked good, popular in the United Kingdom and Ireland. It is similar to a biscuit. It is often enjoyed with tea or coffee and sweetened with blueberries, cranberries, or chocolate chips. Our classic scones recipe is easy to make and perfect for breakfast or brunch. This recipe is perfect to serve with some lemonade in tea cups for kids.

Ingredients for Our Classic Scones Recipe

2 cups all purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
8 tablespoons unsalted butter, frozen (to grate easily)
1/2 cup sour cream
1 large egg
1/2 cup chocolate chips. See our list of other suggestions!

Materials

2 bowls
Parchment Paper
Measuring Cups
Measuring Spoons
Grater for the butter. We used a cheese grater.
Knife to cut scones into slices. If kids are making, we have used a pizza cutter

Steps to Making Scones

Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and preheat oven to 400 degrees.
In a medium bowl, mix flour, 1/3 cup sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Grate frozen butter into flour mixture on the large holes of a grater; use your fingers to work in butter (mixture should resemble coarse meal), then stir in chocolate chips or ingredient of your choice.

In a small bowl, whisk sour cream and egg until smooth.
Using a fork, stir sour cream mixture into flour mixture until large dough clumps form. Use your hands to press the dough against the bowl into a ball. (The dough will be sticky in places, and there may not seem to be enough liquid at first, but as you press, the dough will come together.)

Place on a lightly floured surface and pat into a 7 to 8 inch circle about 3/4-inch thick. Sprinkle with remaining 1 tsp. of sugar. For Easter the girls added some sprinkles.

Use a knife to cut into 8 triangles; place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, about 1 inch apart. Bake until golden, about 15 to 17 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes and serve warm or at room temperature.

Ideas for Scone Mix-ins

Dried Blueberries, Cranberries or Pineapple
Chocolate Chips
Fresh Blueberries

Scone Topings

Fresh Fruit
Jam
Lemon Curd
Honey
Nutella
Icings and Glazes
Powdered Sugar
Whipped Cream

Tips and Suggestions

Many people enjoy scones at room temperature but we like them warm with a pat of butter.
We have never tried this method but saw a few people who have. For a faster way to mix ingredients, use a food processor. Just mix the dry ingredients and frozen butter (cut in slices) in a processor for a few seconds until well blended, add wet ingredients and pulse until well blended, add raisins or any other fruits or chips you like, just pulse it a couple of times to mix, or take the batter out and hand fold your mix-ins, pat or roll the dough flat and cut your scones.
The batter needs to be well mixed but do not over mix and try to get it smooth – scones are supposed to look crumbly.

How to Store Scones

Store extra scones, by wrapping in plastic wrap once cool. Store in the refrigerator for up to one day or frozen for up to 3 months. If frozen, allow to thaw in its packaging and warm in a 350 degree oven for 5 minutes before serving.