Perfect Scones – Simple Recipe for Fluffy Results

This is the best way to make perfect scones.

Over the years I’ve been baking, I’ve learned that the best recipes are the ones that are easy to follow and always give great results. This recipe for **easy homemade scones** is exactly what it says it is. It has the perfect blend of flaky, buttery layers, a soft crumb, and a bit of sweetness that makes it great. It is a recipe that is easy for beginners to follow and gives expert bakers the perfect scone texture they are looking for. The key is to keep your components cool and not mix the dough too much.

The butter is what makes the dough flaky. To get it that way, you need to keep it very cold and chop it into the flour until it looks like coarse crumbs. As the scones bake, the cold butter melts and generates steam, which splits the layers of dough. We also stir the dough just till it comes together and add the correct amount of liquid. This **best scone recipe** will always make tasty scones, whether you’re making them for a special event or just for fun.

Get all the things you need to make perfect scones.

These “**perfect scones**” are so good because they use simple, high-quality ingredients. You may eat freshly baked scones whenever you want if you have these on hand.

• The base for our flaky scones is 2 cups of all-purpose flour, plus additional for dusting.
• 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar, plus more for the top: For a hint of sweetness and a beautiful golden crust.
• 1 tablespoon of baking powder: Our major leavening agent for rise.
• ½ teaspoon salt: Brings out all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
• Cut up ½ cup (1 stick) of cold, unsalted butter into small pieces. This is the key to flakiness! Make sure it’s really chilly.
• ¾ cup of cold milk (whole milk or buttermilk): Adds moisture and makes the food softer. Buttermilk gives it a little bit of a sour taste.
• 1 big egg, beaten (optional for egg wash): This will make the top crispier and give it a gorgeous golden sheen.

Check out resources like King Arthur Baking’s Ingredient Guide to learn more about baking ingredients and what they do.

Step by Step: How to Make the Perfect Scones

Baking should be a fun thing to do. These steps are meant to be straightforward and easy to follow, so you can make **perfect scones** every time.

1. Step 1: Get the oven and baking sheet ready

   Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) before you start. This makes sure that the oven is at the right temperature for the scones to rise and brown. To keep things from sticking and make cleaning up easier, line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Step 2: Mix the dry ingredients together.

   Mix together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt in a big bowl. Make sure all of the dry ingredients are carefully mixed so that the leavening and flavor are evenly spread.

3. Step 3: Cut in the Butter That Is Cold

   Put the cooled, diced butter in with the dry ingredients. Cut the butter into the flour mixture with your fingers, a pastry blender, or a food processor until it looks like coarse crumbs with some butter bits the size of peas still in it. These chunks of butter are very important for making layers that flake.

4. Step 4: Add the egg and milk

   In the middle of the flour mixture, make a well. Put in the chilled milk. You can add the beaten egg to the milk if you don’t need the milk for the egg wash later. Use a fork or spatula to mix the dough until it just comes together. Don’t mix too much; the dough should be rough.

5. Step 5: Knead and shape gently

   Put the dough on a surface that has been lightly floured. Knead it a few times until it stays together. Don’t knead too much, because that will make gluten and make the scones tough. Make a circle using the dough that is about 3/4 inch thick.

6. Step 6: Slice the scones

   You can either cut the dough circle into eight wedges with a knife or use a round biscuit cutter that is 2 to 3 inches wide to carve out each scone. If you use a cutter, press straight down without rotating to keep the layers.

7. Step 7: Get ready to bake

   Put the scones on the baking sheet you made, leaving about an inch between them. Brush the tops with an egg wash (a beaten egg combined with a tablespoon of water) if you want a pretty golden shine and a crust that is a little bit crispier. Add more sugar to make it crunchier and sweeter.

8. Step 8: Put the scones in the oven.

   Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the scones are golden brown and have risen well. A toothpick put in the middle should come out clean.

9. Step 9: Let it cool and serve

   Put the baked scones on a wire rack to cool down a little. Warm scones are the greatest!

How to Serve and Enjoy Your Perfect Scones

The smell of freshly made “**perfect scones**” is just heavenly. This is the finest way to savor these tasty goodies.

• Serve warm scones with clotted cream and your favorite jam (strawberry jam is a staple!) for a classic cream tea.
• With butter: A warm scone with some butter on it is always a joy.
• Put in chocolate or fruit: To make the dough taste even better, gently incorporate in fresh or frozen berries, chocolate chips, or even citrus zest before baking.
• For savory scones, cut back on the sugar a little and add herbs like chives or rosemary.
• They go great with coffee or tea, which is what you should drink with them.

For another tasty breakfast or tea-time snack, check out our recipe for Moist Blueberry Muffins!

Questions People Ask About Perfect Scones

Here are some questions we hear a lot about how to make these great “perfect scones”:

• What makes these scones so flaky?
  The flakiness of these perfect scones comes from keeping the butter very cold and cutting it into the flour until it resembles coarse crumbs. When the scones bake, the cold butter pieces melt, creating steam pockets that separate the dough layers, resulting in that desirable flaky texture. It’s also crucial not to overwork the dough.
• Can I add ingredients like fruit or chocolate to these scones?
  Absolutely! These scones are a wonderful base for additions. Gently fold in about ½ cup of fresh or frozen blueberries, cranberries, or chocolate chips into the dough after you’ve mixed the wet and dry ingredients but before shaping. If using frozen fruit, toss them in a tablespoon of the dry flour mixture first.
• How should I store leftover scones?
  For the best flavor and texture, scones are best enjoyed the day they are made. However, you can store cooled scones in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. They can also be frozen for up to 1 month; thaw at room temperature or gently reheat in a warm oven.
• What’s the difference between scones and biscuits?
  While both scones and biscuits share similar ingredients and methods (like using cold butter cut into flour), scones often contain eggs and sugar, giving them a slightly richer, sweeter, and more tender texture. Biscuits are typically lighter and fluffier with a more savory profile.

How to Make the Best Perfect Scones

Keep these professional ideas in mind to make sure your **easy homemade scones** are always a hit:

• The most important rule for flaky scones is to keep everything cold. If you can, use cool butter, milk, and even your hands.
• Don’t mix the dough too much; simply mix it until it comes together. When you mix too much, gluten forms, which makes scones tough instead of soft.
• Do as little as possible with the dough: Your scones will be flakier if you don’t work the dough too much. It’s important to be gentle.
• The Right Temperature for the Oven: Make sure your oven is set to the right temperature (400°F/200°C) before you put the bread in. This will help it rise and brown better.
• Use a Sharp Cutter: To cut scones, use a sharp biscuit cutter and press straight down without turning. Twisting might seal the edges, which makes it harder for the dough to rise and become flaky.
• Egg Wash for Shine: An egg wash gives your baked goods a gorgeous golden shine and helps the excess sugar stick.

You might also like our Easy Banana Bread recipe if you like to bake from scratch.