Scones

A quick British tea bread — cold fat, a light hand, and the jam-or-cream argument we will not settle.

Recipe by I Want Some Food · Reviewed by the editorial kitchen.

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Measurement system
Prep
15 min
Cook
12 min
Rest
None
Total
27 min
Difficulty
Easy
Spice
No chilli
Cost
Cheap nightUnder $8 USD · indicative, not a store price
Scones

About

Scones are a soft dough of flour, butter, milk, barely worked, cut and baked hot so they rise in the oven not on the board. Cream and jam are the fight (Cornwall vs Devon). This is the plain scone. American biscuits are a cousin with a gravy habit.

What you'll need

6 ingredients. Tap each one once it's out on the bench.

0 of 6 ready
8 servings

Ingredients

Scaling multiplies the written quantities. Baking still prefers a scale.

Steps

  1. Step 1

    Rub butter into flour, salt and sugar. Milk, a light mix. Pat 3cm, cut straight down. Hot oven 220°C 10–12 minutes.

    20 min

Nutrition

Per serving · estimate

Calories
270 kcal
Protein
6 g
Carbs
37.4 g
Fat
10.5 g
Saturated fat
6.1 g
Fibre
1.2 g
Sugar
4.3 g
Sodium
165 mg

Calculated from canonical ingredient data (USDA FoodData Central averages and equivalent published tables). Estimates only.

Allergens

Informational only. Not a medical guarantee. Cross-contamination happens in real kitchens.

  • Wheat
  • Milk
  • Vegetarian

Adapt this recipe

The original recipe stays as it is. Personal versions are labelled. Serving changes are simple maths.

Adaptations · 0 / 15 used. Resets 13 November.

Substitutions

  • Milk → Buttermilk

    More tang, a little taller.

Tips

  • Twisting the cutter seals the edge and they will not rise.
  • Currants if you want a fruit scone. Say so.

History & culture

Tea. Also a cream-tea tourist industry. Still worth making well.

A quick bread that became afternoon-tea furniture in the 19th century.

Traditional

Provenance: Editorial adaptation.

Questions about this recipe

Answers taken from this dish's times, amounts, swaps and tips.

How long does Scones take?

27 min all in — 15 min prep, 12 min cook. Cook and rest follow the method. Leftover storage and optional extra waits are not included.

How many does it serve?

The recipe is written for 8 scones. Scale the ingredient list on the page if you are cooking for a different number.

How hard is it?

Easy.

How spicy is it?

No chilli.

What allergens should I watch?

This recipe is labelled for Wheat, Milk. Labels are informational — check the packets in your kitchen. This is not medical advice.

Does it fit a diet?

The published recipe is labelled Vegetarian.

7 more questions
What does it cost to cook?

Cheap night — about Under $8 USD, as a grocery budget for this recipe, not a restaurant price.

What equipment do I need?

Mixing bowl, Oven.

How much salt do I put in?

The recipe lists Salt at ½ tsp.

How much sugar?

2 tbsp of Sugar.

What can I use instead?

Milk → Buttermilk. More tang, a little taller.

Any tips from this recipe?

Twisting the cutter seals the edge and they will not rise. Currants if you want a fruit scone. Say so.

Can I use an air fryer?

This method is not written for an air fryer. The core technique on the page still applies.

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