The 15 Best Scone Recipes for Afternoon Tea

Just Like the British

Written by
Cathy Jacobs
A freelance journalist and avid home cook, Cathy Jacobs has more than 10 years of food writing experience, with a focus on curating approachable menus and recipe collections.
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Cathy Jacobs
Updated 10/14/19
Easy British Scone Recipe

The Spruce

Proper English scones are one of Britain's best culinary exports. These tasty, individually-baked quick breads are an absolute must when you host afternoon tea and make a lovely treat for breakfast or a mid-afternoon snack. Whether you like your scones sweet or savory, we have collected the best recipes here for you to try. Just remember that scones generally are best enjoyed on the day of baking and rise up highest when you keep all of the ingredients cold and don't over-mix the batter.

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  • 01 of 15

    Blueberry Scones

    Blueberry Scones

    The Spruce

    Moist, tangy, sweet blueberry scones are a popular tea room treat. Add lemon zest to the batter to make the flavor of blueberries sing. Be careful not to overwork the dough when mixing, stopping just when the dough comes together.

  • 02 of 15

    Buttermilk Scones

    Buttermilk Scones

    Diana Rattray

    Cream-brushed buttermilk scones have a tangy flavor that practically begs you to top them with sweet fruit preserves or lemon curd. They also make an excellent base for miniature strawberry shortcakes. Use refrigerated (or even frozen) butter in this recipe for light and airy scones and a pastry blender (or two forks) to work it into the flour, versus using your hands as you might with pie dough.

  • 03 of 15

    Easy British Scone Recipe

    Easy British Scone Recipe

    The Spruce

    These are the classic tea time scones enjoyed in British living rooms that taste wonderful with some butter and raspberry or strawberry jam. They're best eaten on the day they are made, so invite friends over to share them. Use self-rising flour for this recipe as directed for the best results.

  • 04 of 15

    Lavender Scones

    Lavender Scones

    Elaine Lemm

    Fragrant lavender scones make an excellent bridal or baby shower treat or an elegant addition to an afternoon tea for invited guests, with lavender sprigs decorating the serving platter. To make them ahead, mix and shape the dough into scones on a baking sheet a few hours before baking, storing the pan in the fridge, tightly-covered, until ready for the oven.

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  • 05 of 15

    Cheese Scones

    Cheese Scones

    Elly Schuurman/Getty Images

    Cheese scones are a favorite savory snack in Britain. They make a great mid-day pick-me-up, or even a light lunch when you're running between obligations. Cheshire cheese might be used in the United Kingdom, but a strong cheddar cheese will taste fantastic in these scones. Don't omit the dry mustard, which helps to intensify the cheese flavor.

  • 06 of 15

    Vegan Berry Scones

    Vegan Berry Scones

    StockFood/Getty Images

    For those following a vegan diet, these dairy-free scones are a delicious option. The secret ingredient is virgin coconut oil, which imparts the desired, light, crumbly texture you crave in scones, along with a subtle coconut-vanilla taste. Add tart, dried red berries to the dough mixture for even more flavor and texture.

  • 07 of 15

    Pumpkin Ginger Scones with Sweet Tahini Glaze

    Pumpkin Ginger Scones with Sweet Tahini Glaze

    Anita Schecter

    Pumpkin ginger scones slathered with a sweet, sticky, sesame-flavored glaze, are an indulgent, autumnal twist on the traditional recipe. Flour your hands and the cutting board well when shaping the dough to prevent sticking.

  • 08 of 15

    Strawberry Scones

    Strawberry Scones

    James And James/Getty Images

    Sweet tender strawberry scones with a nutty almond flavor are an elegant idea for Mother's Day brunch and other special occasions. Prepare them just before serving with this quick 30-minute recipe. Fresh strawberries are best, but if using frozen, don't thaw them out before mixing it into the dough.

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  • 09 of 15

    Glazed Lemon Cream Scones

    Glazed Lemon Cream Scones

    Diana Rattray

    Lemon scones make a delicious breakfast treat, but they are equally wonderful for dessert after dinner, especially when topped with tangy lemon curd. The batter includes lemon zest, but what makes them truly special is the sweet lemon-sugar glaze. Be sure to keep your butter, eggs, and cream in the fridge right up until making the dough for scones that rise nice and high.

  • 10 of 15

    Vegan Chocolate Chip Scones

    Vegan Chocolate Chip Scones

    Getty Images/iuliia_n

    Chocolate chip cookie lovers, these scones are made for you! Use vegan margarine, egg replacer, and soy milk for yummy, cookie-like scones that are entirely vegan-friendly if you use dairy-free chocolate chips.

  • 11 of 15

    Onion Scones

    Onion Scones

    Dorling Kindersley/Getty Images

    Savory onion scones would make a sophisticated substitute for onion bread or rolls when you serve steak and potatoes for dinner. They taste great topped with butter and look nice arranged with flatbreads in a bread basket. Use a mixture of yellow and green onions in these scones, which should be served immediately after baking.

  • 12 of 15

    Yogurt Scones

    Yogurt Scones

    Hisako TANAKA/Getty Images

    Fluffy, tangy, slightly sweet yogurt scones with plump golden raisins inside are something different and delicious to add to your tea tray. Because of their unusual ingredients, this is the rare scone recipe that freezes well, sealed in an airtight zip-top bag for up to three months.

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  • 13 of 15

    Bacon and Cheddar Scones

    Bacon and Cheddar Scones

    Diana Rattray

    Rich savory scones packed with salty bacon crumbles and sharp cheddar cheese make an excellent choice for holiday breakfasts or Father's Day lunch. Instead of cutting into rounds, the recipe suggests rolling the dough into a disc and slicing it into triangular wedges for baking.

  • 14 of 15

    Currant Scones

    Currant Scones

    Kevin Summers/Getty Images

    Currant scones, sometimes slathered with clotted cream or topped with butter and fruit jam, are a very classic, British way to enjoy this baked treat. A pinch of nutmeg in the batter adds just the right amount of spice. For the airiest scones, skip the food processor and hand-mix the batter ingredients using a light touch when kneading.

  • 15 of 15

    Cinnamon Scones

    Cinnamon Scones

    Danielle D. Hughson/Moment Open/Getty Images

    Cinnamon scones smell wonderful when baking, and make a great on-the-go breakfast or a lovely afternoon treat to enjoy with a cup of tea or coffee. For a lighter-tasting scone, use pastry flour instead of all-purpose, or replace half the all-purpose flour called for in the recipe with cake flour.