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A delicious and easy scone recipe that makes eight perfect triangle scones. Use the basic scone recipe, and make it your own by adding your favorite fruit and nuts. You can have fresh baked scones in no time!

cherry almond scones recipe on cooling rack1

What is a scone?

A scone is very much like a biscuit, but with more sweetness, and additional ingredients. Scones are a very old and traditional staple of tea time in the United Kingdom, which is where they originated.

Here in the United States, we eat scones mainly as a breakfast pastry. No matter when you eat them, they are delicious and filling.

Making scones is not an exact science. Some recipes call for an egg, which makes a denser scone, and some do not. The amount of sugar varies, and so does the amount of butter.

cherry almond scones on blue striped towel

How is “scone” pronounced?

The answer to that question is found in the geography of the UK. If you are a Downton Abbey fan, you might remember that the show took place in North Yorkshire, and the writers rhymed “scone” with “gone.” After doing a little research, I discovered that the northern regions of England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland rhyme “scone” with “gone.”

So the Downton Abbey writers clearly knew what they were doing. Southern Ireland rhymes it with “bone,” and the rest of England is a mixture. In the US, we mostly rhyme “scone” with “bone,” but if you ever hear the alternate pronunciation, it’s correct too!

cherry almond scone ingredients

Why This Recipe Works

The easy scone recipe I’m sharing today features one of two ways to make scone dough. You can add an egg, or not. I like to add an egg for binding purposes, plus the egg adds moistness. This basic scone recipe can be easily varied by changing the add-ins. See Variations.

cherry almond scone dough in disc

Main Ingredients

  1. All purpose flour
  2. Sugar
  3. Baking powder
  4. Salt
  5. Butter
  6. Egg
  7. Whipping cream

Be sure to check out the full recipe and ingredient list below.

This easy scone recipe consists of 7 main ingredients. The flavor of a scone is determined by the extra added ingredients. For example, if you want a savory scone, add freshly chopped herbs and cheddar cheese. For a sweet scone, add fresh or dried fruit. For a dessert scone, add semi-sweet or white chocolate chips.

How to Make Scones

  • Dice a stick of butter and place back in the refrigerator.
  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
  • In a small mixing bowl, beat together the egg, whipping cream, and almond extract. Set aside.
  • Remove the butter from the refrigerato,r and using a pastry cutter, cut it into the dry ingredients. (You will have small chunks of butter. That’s fine.)
  • Pour the whipping cream mixture into the flour/butter mixture.
  • Stir with a large spatula until the liquid is incorporated into the flour.
  • Add the dried cherries & almonds, and mix one more time.
  • Put the dough out onto a lightly floured surface.
  • Using your hands, mold the dough together, and begin shaping into a disc.
  • Use a rolling pin to flatten the disc so it measures 8 to 9 inches in diameter.
  • With a large sharp knife, cut the disc into eight sections.
  • Place the sections on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, at least 2 inches apart.
  • Refrigerate the cookie sheet for 30 minutes.
  • When the refrigeration time is almost over, preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.
  • Remove the scones from the refrigerator. Brush with more whipping cream, and sprinkle with sanding sugar if desired.
  • Place the cold cookie sheet in the oven.
  • Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, watching closely at the end. Scones should be golden around the edges.
  • Remove to a cooling rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.
cherry almond scones on cutting board

Variations

  • The dried cherries can be swapped out with any other kind of dried fruit: raisins, dried cranberries, pitted and minced dates.
  • Swap out the almonds with any type of chopped nut: pecans, walnuts, hazelnuts.
  • A glaze drizzled over the cooled scones adds sweetness and extra moisture.

How to Make Glaze for Scones

Mix one cup of powdered sugar with 2 tablespoons milk, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Whisk until combined. The glaze should pour, but it should not be runny. To make it thicker, add more powdered sugar. To thin it, add more milk.

cherry almond scones on cookie sheet

TIPS

  • Every oven has a mind of its own, so make sure and watch the scones at the end of the baking time. Each batch of scones I make bakes a bit differently. The baking time depends on the thickness of the scones, and how cold the butter is.
  • For the baking time, set your timer for 20 minutes, but keep an eye on your oven. The scones are done when they are light golden around the edges. My batches of scones take between 22 and 25 minutes.
  • It’s very important to NOT skip the refrigeration step before baking. After rolling, cutting, and handling, the butter in the dough is nearly melted. By popping the scones in the refrigerator, the butter hardens again, and then melts in the oven. This produces a very flaky, light, and tender scone. 
  • The scone dough can be adjusted after it’s all mixed together. If it’s too dry, just add a tablespoon or two of whipping cream. If it’s too wet, simply add more flour. 
cherry almond scones stacked

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! Mix the dough and cut out the scones. Wrap the scones in wax or parchment paper, and then place them in a resealable freezer bag. When you are ready, simply thaw and bake. 

Store these scones at room temperature in an airtight container. If you need to layer them, separate the layers with parchment paper.

The answer to this question is that it’s a matter of opinion! I like the way the dough comes together when an egg is included. Other bakers claim that scones are more flaky and tender without an egg. So try it both ways and see what you think!

I prefer all purpose flour. You can use cake flour, but adjustments need to be made to the liquid ingredients.

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cherry almond scones stacked

Easy Scone Recipe with Cherries + Almonds

4.84 from 30 votes
A delicious cherry almond scone recipe that makes eight perfect triangle scones. Use the basic scone recipe and make it your own by adding your favorite fruit and nuts.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Refrigeration Time 30 minutes
Servings 8 triangle scones
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Ingredients
 

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (reduce to 1/4 teaspoon if using salted butter)
  • 8 tablespoons cold butter, diced
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 cup whipping cream
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
  • 1/2 cup sliced almonds
  • 1/2 cup dried cherries

Instructions

  • Dice a stick of butter and place back in the refrigerator.
  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
  • In a small mixing bowl, beat together the egg, whipping cream, and almond extract. Set aside.
  • Remove the butter from the refrigerato,r and using a pastry blender, cut it into the flour mixture. (You will have small chunks of butter. That's fine.)
  • Pour the whipping cream mixture into the flour/butter mixture.
  • Stir with a large spatula until the liquid is incorporated into the flour.
  • Add the dried cherries & almonds, and mix one more time.
  • Put the dough out onto a cutting board that's sprinkled with a little flour.
  • Using your hands, mold the dough together, and begin shaping into a disc.
  • Use a rolling pin to flatten the disc so it measures 8 to 9 inches in diameter.
  • With a large sharp knife, cut the disc into eight sections.
  • Place the sections on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, at least 2 inches apart.
  • Refrigerate the cookie sheet for 30 minutes.
  • When the refrigeration time is almost over, preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.
  • Remove the scones from the refrigerator. Brush with more whipping cream, and sprinkle with sanding sugar if desired.
  • Place the cold cookie sheet in the oven.
  • Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, watching closely at the end. Scones should be golden around the edges.
  • Remove to a cooling rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Nutrition Facts
Easy Scone Recipe with Cherries + Almonds
Serving Size
 
1 scone
Amount per Serving
Calories
433
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
25
g
38
%
Cholesterol
 
74
mg
25
%
Sodium
 
421
mg
18
%
Potassium
 
162
mg
5
%
Carbohydrates
 
46
g
15
%
Fiber
 
3
g
13
%
Sugar
 
17
g
19
%
Protein
 
8
g
16
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Author: Ann Drake
Like this recipe?Follow me at @onsuttonplace

If you make this recipe, and love it, please come back to leave a comment and a 5-star review. I would really appreciate it, and it would help me so much. Thank you!

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19 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Just made these during our Texas ice storm-vert delicious! Will definately make this recipe frequently-thanks for sharing!

  2. My mother always made scones as the base for strawberry shortcake. Sweet scones with strawberries and whipped cream are one of the favorite desserts of my childhood.

  3. 5 stars
    I have never eaten or made a scone, but I can’t wait to try your recipe! It looks absolutely scrumptious!

  4. Katy Korpi says:

    5 stars
    Without a doubt the best scones I have ever had.

    1. Ann Drake says:

      5 stars
      Hi Katy…thank you so much for the review. I truly appreciate it!

  5. 5 stars
    I have made several scones before but this recipe was heavenly. The dough was just about perfect. Next time I will try this recipe with my other favourite – dried apricots! Thank you so much for this recipe. A definite winner!

  6. Tammy Liles says:

    5 stars
    Hi Ann- I just pulled the scones out of the oven and devoured one while still hot. It was absolutely divine! This was my very first attempt at making scones and I am sure to be hooked now. I also shared your recipe link with my White Lily friends and I hope they stop by. Thank you for the yummy and easy recipe!!!!!

  7. Yum! This sounds amazing!

  8. Judi Yost says:

    Hi Ann – – I will try your cherry/almond scone recipe – they look DELISH. I have been making scones for the past 5 years and like to try different variations. One of my favorite is orange/dried cranberry scones – – just add orange zest into the dough, brush with cream and bake and make an orange zest/confectionary sugar glaze for the top. I also tried fresh peach scones this past summer using mashed up ripe peaches into the dough and made a mashed peach/confectionary sugar glaze for the top – – -both are DELISH.
    Love you recipes – THANKS, Judi

  9. I love scones so will be trying this recipe. I do have a question about your pronunciation explanation. You mention that in some regions, scone rhymes with “gone” and other regions it rhymes with “bone.” I’m in the South where “gone” and “bone” rhyme with each other. :-) So does your pronunciation of “gone” rhyme with “won?” Scone, gone, won?

    1. I and from Lousiana and thought the same thing! I sat here saying gone/bone? I don’t get it. My dad made scones all the time when we were growing up, mostly with 3 minute oats with whole wheat flour and raisins.

    2. Ann Drake says:

      Oh my gosh…I have never in my life heard “gone” and “bone” pronounced like they rhyme! By South do you mean in the U.S.? If yes, let’s do this. Scone can rhyme with stone, or with pawn. Does that help?

      1. Yes, the US South. I’m glad Nancy from Louisiana chimed in so that I didn’t feel like I was coming out of left field. :-) My husband, who is from the Seattle area, told me that “gone” and “bone” don’t sound anything alike to most people!

    3. Kaye Gatlin says:

      I’m half Scottish and they are pronounced with a long O like “bone”.

  10. Barbara Warner says:

    Ann,
    As a lover of most scones, I look forward to trying your recipe. I love tea parties and making at least one kind of scone for each party. The first recipe I ever made was Ina Garten’s Cheddar Dill scones which are so tender and flaky, and mouth-watering. That recipe made me want to try more. I love cherries and almonds, so your recipe will be the next one I try. Thanks so much for sharing. I look forward to making them and enjoying one with my afternoon cuppa!

  11. 5 stars
    These scones were so yummy! Scones are quickly becoming one of my favorite things to make. Thank you for sharing how to freeze the dough. We are empty nesters and having 8 fresh scones is sometimes too tempting. However, it’s great to run a few over to share with the neighbors.

  12. 5 stars
    Just made the apple crisp salad and the dressing. So fresh and delicious ! I will be trying the cherry almond scones this wknd! Thanks Ann, Mary

  13. Claudia BLISS says:

    I have a recipe for ‘Pat a Cake’ scones from a magazine that I’ve made for many years. It’s a recipe that’s so easy even children can make it and thus the name. I always brush cream on the top and sprinkle cinnamon sugar and extra cinnamon before I pop them in the oven.
    1 1/2 cup all purpose flour
    1/3 cup sugar
    2 Tbs baking powder
    1/2 tsp salt
    3/4 cup heavy cream
    2 tsp dried orange or lemon peel/optional
    Mix dry ingredients together then slowly add cream while mixing. When dough is well incorporated and pulls away from the bowl edges, lightly flour the counter and place dough on top. Pat it down into a 7″ diameter. Brush cream on the top and then sprinkle the cinnamon sugar on top and cut into 6 or 8 pieces. Place on ungreased cookie sheet or pizza pan. Bake in a 375 degree oven until lightly brown on the bottom. About 15 mins but it goes quickly so check them until you see the light brown color. This recipe is very easy and quick.

  14. Happy New Year Ann a few days late. Thank- you this recipe. The scones look wonderful. I always enjoy your posts.