Apple Cinnamon Scones

Last Updated on October 21, 2022 by Kathryn Donangelo

These homemade Apple Cinnamon Scones are light, tender, and packed with fresh apples and cinnamon. They are easy to make and topped with a vanilla cinnamon glaze.

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Apple Cinnamon Scone Recipe

It’s hard to beat fresh scones right out of the oven- am I right? These fresh Apple Cinnamon Scones make the best treat especially during the Fall. Loaded with chopped apples, ground cinnamon, and basic scone ingredients like cold butter and buttermilk.

I love the combination of apples and cinnamon (like my Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal and Apple Cinnamon Bread) because it’s so cozy, warm, and always reminds me of Fall season. These tender scones are flaky, buttery, and so soft (thanks to the buttermilk).

Serve these warm scones up with Apple Cider, hot chocolate, or afternoon tea for an extra indulgent dessert.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Loaded with warm spices and chunks of fresh apple flavor.
• The perfect sweet treat for any occasion.
• You can enjoy these delicious scones for breakfast, an afternoon snack, or dessert.
• Better than the scones from any coffee shop or bakery.
• It has similar flavors to apple pie but in a scone form.

Key Ingredients

• Flour: We use all-purpose flour but you can also use whole wheat flour. Spoon and level the flour when measuring it; don’t scoop it out of the bag using the measuring cup. This way, you won’t accidentally measure out too much. 
• Ground cinnamon and nutmeg: Adds the perfect amount of warm flavor.
• Baking powder: Used as a leavening. This will help the scones rise and get fluffy. 
• Butter: Make sure the butter is cut in cubes and is cold. This is crucial*** You can also shred frozen butter. The butter must be cold in order for the scones to be flaky.
• Egg: Helps to bind the scone dough together.
• Sugar: We use both brown sugar and granulated sugar.
• Apples: You can use any of your favorite apples. We use Granny Smith apples because I love the tart and crispness.
• Buttermilk: Helps make the scones tender, soft, and adds the traditional scone flavor.

How To Make This Apple Cinnamon Scone Recipe

Heat oven: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking or cookie sheet with parchment paper or silpat mat.

Combine dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, and salt.

Cut in butter: Add the cubed cold butter to the dry ingredients and mix together with a pastry blender or cutter. Cut the butter until the flour mixture forms coarse crumbs.

Combine wet ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the egg, vanilla extract, sugars, and buttermilk until combined.

Add dry and wet ingredients together: Add the wet mixture to the dry mixture, then add the apples, and stir with a wooden spoon or spatula just until a dough is formed.

Shape dough: Place the dough onto a lightly floured surface and fold the dough just until combined in a ball. Gently flatten the dough ball with your hands or a rolling pin. If dough appears sticky, add more flour to the surface.

Cut scones: Roll the dough out to 9-10 inch diameter circle. Cut into 8 triangles using a sharp knife or bench scraper.

Bake: Place the scones on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 16-20 minutes, or just until lightly browned on the top. Let the scones cool on a wire rack.

Add glaze and enjoy: To make the glaze, combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl and whisk until smooth. Add more powdered sugar if the glaze appears too thin, or add a little milk if it appears too thick. Spread the glaze on top of each scone once cooled. Enjoy!

Recipe Tips & Variations

Caramel Apple Cinnamon Scones: Drizzle the tops of baked and cooled scones with caramel. You can use caramel sauce or homemade caramel.

Chocolate Chip Scones: Swap the apples for chocolate chips for a chocolatey scone instead.

Mini Scones: Cut the scone into 16 mini scones by cutting each scone in half.

Blueberry Scones: Swap the apples for blueberries or any of your other favorite fruit.

Add Cinnamon Chips: Add even more of a cinnamon flavor by adding cinnamon chips to the scones. Add them in with apples.

Sugar Topping: Instead of topping the scones with a glaze, sprinkle coarse sugar on top. This will make the scones sparkly!

Pastry cutter alternative: If you don’t have a pastry cutter, no need to panic! You can simply cut the butter with 2 forks or shred a frozen butter with a cheese grater so it’s easier to combine.

Work quickly: It’s important that your butter stays cold so you want to work fairly quickly when making and cutting the dough.

Leftovers & Storage

To-store: Store leftover scones in an airtight container or wrap dish tightly with plastic wrap. Store in a cool area at room temperature for 2-3 days, then store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

To-freeze: Store unglazed baked and cooled scones in a heavy duty ziplock bag or container for up to 2 months. To thaw, leave out on the counter for a few hours or refrigerator overnight. Add glaze (optional) and enjoy. To warm scone, place in a microwave for a few seconds.

Other Easy Dessert Recipes

• Apple Cinnamon Crisp
• Easy Apple Dumplings
• Soft Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Brown Butter Rice Krispie Treats
• Cookie Dough Brownies
• Apple Pie Cheesecake Bites

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