Apple and Cinnamon Scone

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Hi Bold Bakers!

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE: My delectable Apple and Cinnamon Scone recipe will win you over with soft, crumbly texture and irresistible apple-cinnamon-brown sugar flavor. These baked treats are so easy, foolproof, and scrumptious, you’ll be baking them on repeat!

• Buttery, crumbly goodness: Rich butter not only gives luxurious flavor, but tender texture.
• Classic warm sweetness: Apple cinnamon is such a fan favorite.
• Pantry ingredients: You likely have everything on hand, but if you’re out of buttermilk, I’ve got you covered!
• Year-round appeal: These are perfect for right now, and also for when the weather turns crisp.
• Ready in under an hour! Quick enough for impromptu breakfast, snacks, or dessert.

Being from Ireland, scone recipes hold a special place in my heart. I’ve loved baking them since I was a child, and if you’re curious for more, be sure to check out my Scone Q&A guide! Growing up, I enjoyed traditional scones—usually raisin or plain. Nowadays, scones come in so many flavors, often inspired by seasonal ingredients, which is what led me to create this recipe. The warm cinnamon notes are perfect for this time of year, and with apples being affordable and plentiful, it’s the ideal moment to bake. These scones are so delicious, I recommend making a couple of batches. You can prepare them ahead, freeze for up to four weeks, then simply defrost and bake when ready.

If my mouthwatering scones have you craving more apple and cinnamon goodies, be sure to try my Apple Snack Cake,  Microwave Mug Apple Crisp, 3-Layer Apple Pie Blondies, Apple Pie Crescent Rolls, and the dozens of other apple recipes on Bigger Bolder Baking.

Table of Contents

• What is an Apple and Cinnamon Scone
• Tools You Need
• Key Ingredients and Substitutes
• How to Make Apple and Cinnamon Scones
• Gemma’s Pro Chef Tips
• Make Ahead and Storage Instructions
• FAQs
• More Scone Recipes

What is an Apple and Cinnamon Scone?

• An Apple and Cinnamon Scone is a lightly sweetened pastry that’s a traditional baked good in Ireland and the UK.
  • Scones have a high ratio of butter to flour, which makes them crumbly (“short”) and rich.
  • Baking powder gives these apple and cinnamon scones a quick rise and a light crumb.
  • Scones are traditionally served with butter or with clotted cream and jam.
• Scones’ uniquely tender texture comes from using cold butter—which creates steam pockets in the dough—and cooking them at high heat, which melts the butter quickly, produces steam, and yields its signature crumb.
• Scones are believed to have originated in Ireland or Scotland. Although legend has it that the word scone originates from Scotland’s Stone of Scone, which was used in the coronation of Scotland’s ancient kings, it most likely derives from the Dutch word schoonbrot, meaning “fine white bread,” or the Gaelic word sgonn, meaning “a large mouthful.”

Tools You Need

• Mixing bowl
• Measuring spoons
• Measuring cups
• Glass measuring jug
• Kitchen scale (optional)
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Pastry blender (optional)
• Pastry brush

Key Ingredients and Substitutes

Granny Smith apple

• Granny Smith apples have a firm texture, which means they’ll retain their texture in the scones and be soft, but not mushy.
• The tart flavor of Granny Smiths gives a pleasantly bright contrast to the buttery-sweet scone.
• Substitute: Use another type of apple that’s firm and not too sweet, like Honeycrisp or Braeburn.

Lemon juice

• Lemon juice enhances the apple’s flavor, and the citric acid keeps them from browning.
• Fresh lemon juice will have the best flavor, but it’s fine to use bottled juice.
• Substitute: Alternatively, you can use an equal amount of orange juice instead.

Egg

• The egg binds the ingredients together into a homogeneous batter.
• Additionally, the egg yolk gives the scone richness, while the egg white contributes to the scone’s structure.
• Substitute: For a vegan alternative to egg, mix 1 tablespoon of ground flax seeds OR chia seeds with 3 tablespoons of water. and let the mixture sit and thicken for 5 minutes before adding to the batter.
  • My guide, 12 Best Egg Substitutes for Baking Recipes, has more ideas.

Buttermilk

• The acid in buttermilk affects gluten formation, which makes the scones tender.
• Additionally, buttermilk adds a pleasing, subtle tang.
• Substitute: No buttermilk, no problem! My easy Buttermilk Substitute works just as well.
  • You can also use 1/3 cup (2.7 fl oz/80 ml) of full-fat sour cream or plain yogurt. Thin with one teaspoon of milk or water before adding.

Vanilla extract

• Vanilla extract rounds out the tart and sweet flavors, and adds a floral note and an intoxicating aroma.
• Check out my easy recipe to Make Your Own Vanilla Extract!
• Substitute: You can use an equal amount of Vanilla Bean Paste.

All-purpose flour

• All-purpose flour, with 9 to 11%, gives the scone enough structure while still being tender and delightfully crumbly.
• Substitute: You can use the same amount of a 1:1 all-purpose gluten-free flour blend, such as Easy Almond Flour Baking Mix, or another gluten-free flour mixture.

Dark brown sugar

• Dark brown sugar sweetens the scones, and its molasses content adds a tantalizing toffee-like note.
• Importantly, dark brown sugar attracts and retains moisture, ensuring these scones won’t be dry.
• Substitute: Use an equal amount of light brown sugar, granulated sugar, or coconut sugar in place of the dark brown sugar.

Baking powder

• Baking powder leavens the scones.
• Here’s how to make your own baking powder.

Cinnamon

• Cinnamon’s earthy, warm sweetness gives these homemade scones a homey flavor and scent.
• Substitute: For a more complex flavor, use an equal amount of Mixed Spice or an apple pie spice blend.

Salt

• The salt is essential in this recipe: it accentuates the other flavors and keeps the apple cinnamon scones from tasting flat.

Butter

• Butter creates the scone’s crumbly, rich texture.
• Additionally, butter gives the scones richness and deep flavor.
• Cold butter is key to the tenderest scones. Use very cold butter from the fridge or freezer, dice it, and then return it to the fridge to re-chill. Work quickly when mixing so the butter doesn’t soften.
• Butter gives the scones richness and deep flavor.
• Substitute: For a vegan option, use an equal amount of hard, block-type margarine.
  • Do not use spreadable margarine—it contains too much water and will affect the texture of your scones.

How to Make Apple and Cinnamon Scones

1. Prepare to bake: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
2. Chop apple: Peel, core and finely dice the apple. You should have about 1 cup (5 oz/142 g). Place in a bowl and toss with the lemon juice. Set aside.
3. Mix wet ingredients: In a small jug, whisk together the egg, buttermilk and vanilla extract. Set aside.
4. Stir dry ingredients together: In a large bowl, stir flour, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt together.
5. Cut in butter: With a pastry blender or your fingers, rub in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs.

6. Combine wet and dry ingredients: Pour in the buttermilk mixture along with the apples, and stir until the dough comes together.

7. Knead and shape dough: On a floured surface, very briefly knead the dough until no crumbly bits remain, then pat the dough to a 1-inch (3 cm) thick circle (about 7 inches/18 cm wide).
8. Cut scones: Cut the circle into 8 wedges and arrange on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the tops only with egg wash and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.

9. Bake scones: Bake for 22-25 minutes, or until golden brown.

10. Cool and enjoy: Let cool for at least 10 minutes before cutting and serving with butter.

FULL (PRINTABLE) RECIPE BELOW! 

Gemma’s Pro Chef Tips

• Stay cool: When making scones, work quickly and handle the ingredients minimally to keep them cold for the most tender results.
• Perfect shape: When shaping the scones, the thickness is more important than the diameter of the circle. Be sure that the dough is 1-inch (3 cm) high.
• Warm weather strategy: If baking scones in hot weather, chill the mixing bowl and pastry cutter before using to keep the dough as cold as possible.
• Make-ahead tip: This dough can be made, shaped, and refrigerated for up to 1 day before baking.
• Easy switch: Replace the apples with 1 cup (5 oz/142 g) of raisins to make cinnamon raisin scones.
• Glaze option: Instead of topping these with cinnamon sugar, you can try using the Maple Glaze from our Maple Bar Doughnuts recipe or top with powdered sugar.

Make Ahead and Storage Instructions

• Make-ahead tips:
  • Make, shape, and refrigerate the dough for up to one day before baking.
  • Make, shape, and freeze for up to four weeks, and then just defrost and bake as directed.
• How to store leftovers:
  • Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to two days.
  • Wrap well and freeze for up to two months.
    • For best results, defrost in a warm oven (300°F/150°C) until heated through.

FAQs

How do I ensure my scones are tender and not tough?

• To ensure your scones are tender and not tough, follow my easy scone rules:
  • Use chilled butter. Very cold, cubed butter will melt and create steam during baking, which gives the scones a flaky texture.
  • Avoid overhandling the dough: Use a light, quick touch when mixing and shaping.
  • Do not overbake: Remove the scones from the oven when they are golden brown.

What are some add-ins I can use in this scone recipe?

• Good fruit choices here are raisins, dried cranberries, or cherries.
• For richness and crunch, add chopped toasted pecans, walnuts, hazelnuts, or slivered almonds.
• Add a surprise flavor by mixing in chopped white chocolate or chilled cream cheese cubes.

Can I make these cinnamon and apple scones vegan?

• Yes, you can make these cinnamon and apple scones vegan.
  • Use my dairy-free buttermilk substitute in place of the regular buttermilk.
  • Substitute an equal amount of hard, block-style margarine for the butter.

Can I make these apple scones gluten-free?

• Yes, you can make these apple scones gluten-free.
• Replace the regular flour with a gluten-free baking mix, like my Easy Almond Flour Baking Mix or another gluten-free flour.
  • Note that gluten-free scones will be crumblier than those made with the original recipe.

What are some ways to serve these Apple and Cinnamon Scones?

• Serve Apple and Cinnamon Scones warm with butter and a drizzle of honey or a dollop of orange marmalade.
• Spread toasted scones with almond butter.
• Double down on the fruit flavor by spreading with apple butter.
• Apple Cinnamon scones pair beautifully with Greek yogurt.
• To serve these cinnamon apple scones for dessert, top with ice cream, regular whipped cream, coconut whipped cream, or crème fraiche whipped cream, and drizzle with my Apple Cider Caramel Sauce.

More Scone Recipes

• Best Ever Irish Scones
• Raspberry Scones
• Pizza Scones
• Chocolate Scones
• Blueberry Scones

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