Warm & Cozy: Cinnamon Apple Scones Recipe (Easy & Delicious!)

Is there anything more comforting than the aroma of cinnamon and apples baking in the oven? These Cinnamon Apple Scones are the perfect treat for a cozy weekend breakfast, a delightful afternoon tea, or simply a warm hug in pastry form. They’re surprisingly easy to make, and the combination of tender, buttery scone, sweet apples, and fragrant cinnamon is simply irresistible. Get ready to elevate your baking game with this delicious and easy-to-follow recipe!

This recipe is designed to be straightforward, even for beginner bakers. We’ll break down each step with clear instructions and helpful tips to ensure your scones turn out perfectly golden and delicious every time. So, preheat your oven, gather your ingredients, and let’s get baking!

Why You’ll Love This Cinnamon Apple Scones Recipe

• Easy to Make: Seriously! This recipe uses simple ingredients and straightforward techniques.
• Delicious Flavor: The combination of cinnamon, apple, and buttery scone is a match made in heaven.
• Perfect Texture: These scones are tender and slightly crumbly on the inside, with a golden-brown, slightly crisp exterior.
• Versatile: Enjoy them plain, with a drizzle of glaze, or served alongside your favorite hot beverage.
• Impressive: They look and taste like they came from a fancy bakery!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Before you start, gather these ingredients:

• All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of our scones. Use good quality all-purpose flour.
• Granulated Sugar: For sweetness and a tender crumb.
• Baking Powder: The leavening agent that gives the scones their rise.
• Salt: Enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.
• Ground Cinnamon: The star spice that brings warmth and comfort.
• Unsalted Butter: Cold, unsalted butter is crucial for creating flaky layers.
• Apple: We recommend using a firm, tart apple like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp.
• Heavy Cream: Adds richness and moisture to the dough.
• Egg: For binding and a golden-brown crust.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor.
• Optional: Turbinado Sugar: For sprinkling on top for extra sparkle and crunch.

Detailed Ingredient Breakdown: Why Each One Matters

Let’s delve a bit deeper into why each ingredient plays such a vital role in the final product:

• All-Purpose Flour: This is your workhorse flour. While you *can* experiment with other flours, starting with all-purpose ensures a consistent and predictable result. Don’t use self-rising flour unless you significantly reduce the baking powder in the recipe.
• Granulated Sugar: Sugar isn’t just for sweetness; it also contributes to the scone’s tenderness and browning. The sugar granules interfere with gluten development, resulting in a more delicate crumb.
• Baking Powder: This is your chemical leavening agent. It releases carbon dioxide when mixed with liquid and heated, creating air pockets that make the scones rise. Make sure your baking powder is fresh (check the expiration date!) for optimal results.
• Salt: A pinch of salt enhances the sweetness and balances the flavors. It also strengthens the gluten structure, giving the scones a bit of chewiness.
• Ground Cinnamon: The heart and soul of this recipe! Use good quality cinnamon for the best flavor. You can adjust the amount to your preference, but we recommend starting with the amount specified in the recipe.
• Unsalted Butter: Cold, unsalted butter is *essential* for creating flaky layers in your scones. The cold butter creates small pockets of fat within the dough. As the scones bake, the butter melts and releases steam, creating those characteristic flaky layers.
• Apple: A firm, tart apple like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp is ideal because it holds its shape during baking and provides a nice contrast to the sweetness of the scone. Other good options include Braeburn, Fuji, or Pink Lady.
• Heavy Cream: Heavy cream adds richness, moisture, and tenderness to the dough. The high-fat content also helps to create a more tender crumb. You can substitute half-and-half or whole milk in a pinch, but the scones will be slightly less rich.
• Egg: The egg acts as a binder, holding the dough together. It also adds moisture and richness, and contributes to the golden-brown color of the crust.
• Vanilla Extract: A touch of vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor of the scones. Use pure vanilla extract for the best results.
• Turbinado Sugar (Optional): These larger sugar crystals add a beautiful sparkle and a satisfying crunch to the top of the scones. You can substitute coarse sugar or sanding sugar if you don’t have turbinado sugar.

Equipment You’ll Need

• Large Mixing Bowl: For combining the dry ingredients.
• Pastry Blender or Food Processor: For cutting the butter into the flour.
• Liquid Measuring Cup: For measuring the wet ingredients.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: For accurate measuring.
• Baking Sheet: For baking the scones.
• Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mat: To prevent the scones from sticking to the baking sheet.
• Wire Rack: For cooling the scones.
• Optional: Round Cookie Cutter or Knife: For shaping the scones.

Step-by-Step Instructions: Making Cinnamon Apple Scones

Now for the fun part! Follow these detailed instructions to bake your own delicious Cinnamon Apple Scones:

Step 1: Prepare the Apples

1. Wash, peel, and core the apple.
2. Dice the apple into small, even pieces. Aim for roughly ¼-inch cubes. This ensures they distribute evenly throughout the scones.
3. Set aside.

Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients

1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Make sure everything is well combined. This ensures even distribution of the leavening agent and spices.

Step 3: Cut in the Butter

This is the most crucial step for achieving flaky scones. The butter needs to be very cold!

1. Cut the cold butter into small cubes (about ½-inch).
2. Add the butter to the dry ingredients.
3. Use a pastry blender or your fingertips to cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. You should still see small pieces of butter throughout. Alternatively, you can use a food processor. Pulse the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Be careful not to over-process!

Step 4: Add the Apples and Wet Ingredients

1. Gently fold the diced apples into the flour and butter mixture.
2. In a liquid measuring cup, whisk together the heavy cream, egg, and vanilla extract.
3. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.
4. Use a fork or spatula to gently mix the ingredients until just combined. Be careful not to overmix! The dough should be slightly shaggy and sticky.

Step 5: Shape the Scones

1. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface.
2. Gently pat the dough into a ¾-inch thick circle.
3. Use a round cookie cutter (about 2-3 inches in diameter) to cut out the scones. Alternatively, you can use a sharp knife to cut the circle into 6-8 wedges.
4. Place the scones onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
5. Gently brush the tops of the scones with a little extra heavy cream or milk.
6. Sprinkle the tops of the scones with turbinado sugar (optional).

Step 6: Bake the Scones

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until the scones are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
3. Let the scones cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips for Perfect Cinnamon Apple Scones

• Keep the Butter Cold: This is the most important tip! Cold butter creates those flaky layers. You can even chill the butter and flour mixture in the freezer for 15 minutes before adding the wet ingredients.
• Don’t Overmix the Dough: Overmixing develops the gluten, resulting in tough scones. Mix the dough just until the ingredients are combined.
• Handle the Dough Gently: Avoid kneading or pressing the dough too much. This will also develop the gluten and result in tough scones.
• Use a Light Hand When Shaping: Gently pat the dough into a circle and cut out the scones. Avoid pressing down too hard.
• Bake at a High Temperature: A high oven temperature helps the scones to rise quickly and creates a golden-brown crust.
• Don’t Overbake: Overbaked scones will be dry and crumbly. Bake them until they are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
• Serve Warm: Scones are best served warm, preferably within a few hours of baking.

Variations and Additions

Want to customize your Cinnamon Apple Scones? Here are some ideas:

• Add Nuts: Add chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds to the dough for extra flavor and texture.
• Add Dried Fruit: Add dried cranberries, raisins, or chopped dates to the dough.
• Add Spices: Add a pinch of nutmeg, ginger, or cloves to the dough for a warmer, spicier flavor.
• Make a Glaze: Drizzle the cooled scones with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk or lemon juice.
• Add Chocolate Chips: For a decadent twist, add chocolate chips to the dough.
• Use Different Apples: Experiment with different types of apples, such as Gala, Fuji, or Braeburn.
• Make Savory Scones: Omit the sugar and cinnamon, and add shredded cheese, herbs, and spices for a savory scone.

Serving Suggestions

These Cinnamon Apple Scones are delicious on their own, but here are some ideas for serving them:

• With Coffee or Tea: The classic pairing!
• With Jam or Preserves: A dollop of your favorite jam or preserves adds extra sweetness.
• With Clotted Cream: For a truly decadent treat.
• As Part of a Brunch Spread: Serve them alongside other breakfast favorites like eggs, bacon, and fruit.
• As a Dessert: Drizzle them with glaze and serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Storage Instructions

These scones are best enjoyed fresh, but they can be stored for later:

• Room Temperature: Store the scones in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
• Freezer: Freeze the scones in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw them at room temperature before serving. You can also reheat them in a low oven to restore their crispness.

Recipe Card

Cinnamon Apple Scones

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Yield: 8-10 scones

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
• 1 medium apple, peeled, cored, and diced
• ¾ cup heavy cream
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Turbinado sugar, for sprinkling (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
3. Cut the cold butter into the dry ingredients using a pastry blender or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4. Gently fold the diced apple into the flour mixture.
5. In a liquid measuring cup, whisk together the heavy cream, egg, and vanilla extract.
6. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
7. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently pat it into a ¾-inch thick circle.
8. Use a round cookie cutter or a sharp knife to cut out the scones.
9. Place the scones onto the prepared baking sheet.
10. Brush the tops of the scones with heavy cream or milk and sprinkle with turbinado sugar (optional).
11. Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until golden brown.
12. Let the scones cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
13. Serve warm and enjoy!

Nutrition Information

(Note: Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes.)

Serving Size: 1 scone (approximately)

Calories: Approximately 250-300

Fat: 12-15g

Saturated Fat: 8-10g

Cholesterol: 50-60mg

Sodium: 200-250mg

Carbohydrates: 30-35g

Sugar: 12-15g

Protein: 3-4g

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can I use self-rising flour?

A: No, self-rising flour contains baking powder and salt. Using it in this recipe will result in scones that are too salty and rise too much.

Q: Can I use margarine instead of butter?

A: While you *can* use margarine, we highly recommend using butter for the best flavor and texture. Butter has a higher fat content and creates flakier scones.

Q: Can I make these scones ahead of time?

A: Yes, you can prepare the dough ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. However, it’s best to bake the scones fresh for the best results.

Q: My scones are dry. What did I do wrong?

A: Overbaking or using too much flour are common causes of dry scones. Be sure to measure the flour accurately and don’t overbake the scones.

Q: My scones didn’t rise. What did I do wrong?

A: Using old baking powder is a common cause of scones not rising. Make sure your baking powder is fresh. Also, ensure that the oven is preheated to the correct temperature.

Q: Can I make these scones vegan?

A: Yes, you can make these scones vegan by substituting the butter with a vegan butter alternative, the heavy cream with a plant-based cream alternative (like oat or soy cream), and the egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons of water).

Q: What kind of apple is best to use?

A: A firm, tart apple like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp is ideal because it holds its shape during baking and provides a nice contrast to the sweetness of the scone. Other good options include Braeburn, Fuji, or Pink Lady.

Q: How do I prevent the apples from sinking to the bottom of the scones?

A: Dicing the apples into small, even pieces and gently folding them into the dough will help to prevent them from sinking to the bottom. You can also lightly toss the diced apples with a tablespoon of flour before adding them to the dough.

Conclusion

These Cinnamon Apple Scones are a delightful treat that’s perfect for any occasion. With their tender crumb, sweet apples, and warm cinnamon flavor, they’re sure to become a new favorite. So, gather your ingredients, follow the steps, and get ready to enjoy a batch of homemade goodness. Happy baking!

Don’t forget to share your creations with us on social media! Tag us with #CinnamonAppleScones #HomemadeBaking #CozyRecipes. We can’t wait to see your delicious scones!