How to Make Soft Scones

Every day is perfect for scones, and this tutorial will walk you through exactly how to make soft scones. These scones come out crisp on the outside and super soft and light in the middle. They are incredible!

The best scones can be made at home

I've made a lot of scones over the years. Enough to say I've mastered the recipe for big fluffy scones. They are one of my favorite baked goods.

Once you have a plain scone recipe, you can create many variations with that one recipe.

I've used this base for chai pear scones, blueberry buttermilk scones, lemon cream cheese scones with strawberries, and so much more. It's fantastic with dried cranberries.

So I thought why not give you this soft scone recipe along with my best tips and tricks for incredible scones. Use it to create your own fun flavors!

Why this recipe works

• Using buttermilk helps keep the scones ultra-tender.
• Freezing the scones before baking will ensure the butter is cold which is what creates the airy pockets within the scones. 
• Adding an egg will keep them make rich and soft.
• You don't need to use the full amount of liquid. Only add as much as needed for the dough to stick together.

How to make scones

These American Scones take only about 20 minutes to bake and you can pretty much eat them straight from the oven.

You'll notice that this recipe calls for one egg. Sometimes I'll use an egg and sometimes I won't. I think the egg adds a little extra richness that is needed for a simple scone without much flavoring. 

If you want more of a traditional English scone, you can try my homemade biscuit recipe instead.

Make the dough - Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl then use a pastry blender to cut the cold butter into the dough. Combine buttermilk with egg and vanilla and mix a little at a time into the flour.

You won't need all the liquid. Just add as much as you need to get the dough to stick together without being wet. 

Once you've combined the wet and dry ingredients, stir gently until the dry ingredients have become moistened. Don't stir anymore beyond this point. Instead, turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it gently four or five times until it comes together.

Shape the dough -  Pat the dough into a 7-inch round circle. Cut the circle into 8 triangles. It's easiest to do this by cutting the circle in half, then cut each half. Continue this until you have 8 sections.

Freeze the dough - For super a soft texture, it's important to keep the dough cold. Use cold ingredients and handle the dough as little as possible with your hands. After shaping the scones, place them on a baking sheet and pop them into the freezer for 20 to 30 minutes.

The steam from the melting butter creates air pockets which will make the inside tender and light. So so good!

Bake - Brush the tops with heavy cream or milk and sprinkle coarse sugar over them. Bake for 15-20 minutes until they are golden brown. Let them cool then serve them with butter, jam, or clotted cream.

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Recipe variations

• Mix in ¾ to 1 cup of your favorite add-in. (fresh or frozen fruit, dried fruit, chopped nuts, chocolate chips, etc.)
• Add 1 tablespoon of lemon or orange zest.
• Use ½ cup orange juice and ½ milk in place of buttermilk.
• Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of your favorite extract in addition to the vanilla.

Common questions about soft scones

What's the rule of thumb with adding fruit to the batter?
I generally stick to adding 1 cup of any mix-in. You can add a single ingredient or a combination of fresh fruit, dry fruit, nuts, etc.

Toss them in before you add the wet ingredients and then mix everything together. There's no need to adjust any of the ingredient amounts.

Can the scones be made without sugar?
Yes, they certainly can. My recipe calls for sugar because I live in the US and this is how we make them. But other places like the UK don't add sugar to their scones. So, it just depends on what you prefer.

Can I make the dough and freeze it for later use?
Scone dough will freeze well! Make and shape the dough. Place them on a baking sheet and freeze them for an hour. You can then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or ziptop freezer bag.

They’ll keep for up to 3 months. Bake them straight from the freezer but add a couple of minutes to the bake time.

Can you use half & half in place of milk?
You can use half and half or any milk substitute in place of milk.

Tips for perfect soft scones:

• When kneading the dough, work quickly so the butter doesn't melt from the warmth of your hands. It's crucial that all the tiny bits of butter stay intact.
• Add only as much liquid as it takes for the dough to come together. The dough shouldn't be wet, but it should stick together when you squeeze it. 
• They are best enjoyed the day they are made. Place the leftovers in an airtight container and store at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
• You can freeze them for up to 3 months.

If you like this English Muffin recipe, try these other breakfast recipes:

1. Peach Scones with Almond Glaze
2. Carrot Cake Scones
3. Sweet Potato Scones with Brown Sugar Glaze
4. Pumpkin Scones
5. Honey Citrus Sweet Potato Scones

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