Cinnamon Scones Recipe (2024)

Cinnamon Scones are a buttery, delectable treat loaded with cinnamon chips and topped off with a dusting of sparkling cinnamon-sugar, just like America's beloved cookie, the Snickerdoodle! Serve them for the ultimate tea time snack, a make-ahead breakfast treat, or the perfect addition to any brunch.

Love scones? Bookmark these beautiful, buttery Strawberry Scones for next time!

WHAT IS A SCONE?

Scones are made similarly to Southern Biscuits, however, they are denser, creamier, and often times sweeter due to the addition of an egg, maybe even a little cream, and some granulated sugar. They are a buttery, handheld treat -- some savory, some sweet, some shaped like triangles, and some round with dainty scalloped edges.

CINNAMON SCONES INGREDIENTS

• Unsalted Butter - Scones begin with cold, unsalted butter. Cold butter is essential for a flaky scone, as the butter begins to steam from within the scone once in the oven. That steam creates air pockets in between the layers of dough, that not only helps the scones to rise, but also promotes a flaky texture. You can read more about butter and baking from TheKitch'n.com.
• Dry Ingredients - All-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt will serve as the dry ingredients.
• Sugar and Cinnamon - For a sweet scone, just a touch of granulated sugar is added, and for Cinnamon Scones, a dash of cinnamon.
• Buttermilk - The acidity in buttermilk gives baked goods a tender crumb.
• Eggs - Eggs are also considered a wet ingredient, and will serve as a binder in your scones.
• Cinnamon Chips - For an extra cinnamony, over-the-top yummy Cinnamon Scone, add some cinnamon chips! But note, this is a delicious addition, yet an optional one.

HOW TO MAKE CINNAMON SCONES

1. Prep - Preheat the oven and make the cinnamon-sugar topping by mixing together the sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
2. Mix Wet Ingredients - Whisk the buttermilk and egg in a large measuring pitcher.
3. Mix Dry Ingredients and Add Butter - Add the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon to the bowl of a stand mixer and mix to combine. Then, add the butter and mix until the cubes are broken up into pea-sized bits. If you don't have a stand mixer, add dry ingredients to a large bowl and whisk. Then, add the butter and mix in using a pastry blender. Stir in the cinnamon chips, if using, at this point.
4. Add Wet Ingredients to Dry Ingredients - Slowly drizzle in the wet ingredients and mix.
5. Roll Out the Dough - Place the dough onto a floured work surface, and pat out into a rectangle.
6. Add Sugar Topping and Cut - Sprinkle the top with the cinnamon-sugar mixture, and then cut the dough into small triangles.
7. Bake - Bake the Cinnamon Scones for 12-14 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through.

Be sure to check out our Cinnamon Roll Pancakes next!

TIPS FOR MAKING CINNAMON SCONES

The perfect scone is just the right amount of sweet with a tender crumb. So how do you ensure your scone has a tender crumb? Simple. Take it easy on the dough. The more you work dough, the more you develop the gluten. The more the gluten forms, the tougher your scone will be.

Within the process of making scones there are two opportunities to overwork the dough. (1) When incorporating the wet ingredients, and (2) patting out the dough. Luckily, the solution is very simple: Stop mixing as soon as the dough has come together, especially if you are using a stand mixer.

Once the dough has made it to your work surface, handle it gently and as little as possible. This will also help to keep the butter cold and result in a super flaky Cinnamon Scone!

HOW TO FREEZE SCONES

Want to make scones in advance? No problem. To keep scones fresh after baking, allow them to cool and transfer them to an airtight, freezer-safe, zip-top bag. To reheat it, pull out a Cinnamon Scone (or two) and microwave it for 30-seconds.

5 MORE CINNAMON DESSERTS YOU'LL LOVE

• Snickerdoodle Blondies are buttery and soft, with a top dressing of cinnamon-sugar.
• Apple Crumble Muffins are easy to make, come equipped with a delectable crumble topping with a warm and tender crumb, chock-full of apples on the inside.
• Apple Pudding Cake is a quick-fix, festive apple dessert that’s decadently moist, loaded with big apple flavor, easy to make and tastes amazing!
• Cinnamon Orange Scones feature fresh, fragrant orange and cinnamon! Perfect for fall weather and entertaining in cool, autumn months.
• Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars surpass all dessert expectations with its flaky crust, buttery, cinnamon-sugar topping and a thick, luscious center of smooth and creamy cheesecake filling.

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