These buttery Cinnamon Scones with their crumbly streusel topping are the kind of treat that makes your kitchen smell like a cozy bakery on a Sunday morning. I started making these when I wanted something quick and delicious for weekend breakfasts, and they’ve become a family favorite. The best part? They come together in about 30 minutes with ingredients you probably already have, and they taste like you spent hours in the kitchen.
If you’re looking for more easy breakfast ideas, try my Healthy vegan Banana Oatmeal Pancakes Recipe for a lighter option, or my Easy Crispy Hash Browns Recipe to serve alongside. And if you love baking from scratch, my Delicious Homemade Bagel Recipe is another weekend favorite.
Why You’ll Love This Cinnamon Scones
Quick and easy: These Cinnamon Scones are ready in about 30 minutes from start to finish, making them perfect for busy mornings or last-minute brunch plans.
Simple ingredients: You probably have everything you need already in your pantry. No fancy or hard-to-find items required.
Bakery-quality results: The streusel topping and tender texture make these taste like they came from a professional bakery, but they’re so easy to make at home.
Customizable: You can add chocolate chips, dried fruit, or nuts to the dough if you want to switch things up.
Perfect for sharing: This recipe makes 8 scones, which is just the right amount for a family breakfast or to share with friends over coffee.
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Ingredients For Cinnamon Scones
Here’s everything you need to make these tender, flavorful Cinnamon Scones.
See Recipe Card Below This Post For Ingredient Quantities
Streusel Topping:
All-purpose flour: Creates the crumbly texture of the streusel and helps it hold together on top of the scones.
Brown sugar: Adds sweetness and a subtle molasses flavor that pairs beautifully with cinnamon.
Cinnamon: The star spice that gives the streusel its warm, cozy flavor.
Salted butter, softened: Binds the streusel ingredients together and adds richness. Softened butter is key here so it mixes easily.
Scones:
All-purpose flour: Forms the base structure of the Cinnamon Scones and keeps them tender.
Brown sugar: Sweetens the dough and adds a hint of caramel flavor.
Cinnamon: Flavors the entire scone with warm, spicy notes.
Baking powder: Helps the scones rise and creates a light, fluffy texture.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
Salted butter, cold and diced: Creates flaky layers and a tender crumb. Keeping the butter cold is crucial for the best texture.
Cold milk: Brings the dough together and adds moisture. Cold milk keeps the butter from melting too early.
Pure vanilla extract: Adds depth and a sweet aroma that complements the cinnamon.
How To Make Cinnamon Scones
Follow these simple steps for perfect Cinnamon Scones every time.
Preheat and prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This keeps the scones from sticking and makes cleanup easy.
Make the streusel: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and softened butter. Use a fork to blend everything together until large crumbs form that stick together when you squeeze them. Set this aside while you make the dough.
Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt. Stir everything together until well mixed.
Cut in the butter: Add the diced cold butter to the flour mixture. Use a pastry blender or your fingers to cut the butter into the flour until it looks like coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces of butter still visible. This creates the flaky texture.
Add wet ingredients: Pour in the cold milk and vanilla extract. Use a rubber spatula or your hands to fold everything together gently until just combined. The dough will look a bit shaggy, and that’s perfect. Don’t overmix or the scones will be tough.
Shape the dough: Transfer the dough to your prepared baking sheet. Gently fold and pat it into an 8 to 9 inch circle. The dough should be about 1 inch thick.
Add streusel: Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the dough circle and press it lightly with your hands so it sticks.
Cut into triangles: Use a dough cutter or sharp knife to slice the dough into 8 equal triangles, like cutting a pizza. Carefully arrange the triangles about 2 inches apart on the baking sheet. If any streusel falls off, just press it back on top.
Bake: Place the baking sheet on the center rack and bake for 15 to 18 minutes. The scones are done when the edges turn golden brown and the sides look set instead of glossy or wet.
Cool and serve: Let the scones cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before serving. They’re delicious warm or at room temperature.
Equipment For Cinnamon Scones
You don’t need any fancy tools to make these Cinnamon Scones. Here’s what I use:
- Baking sheet: A standard half-sheet pan works perfectly.
- Parchment paper: Prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
- Medium mixing bowl: For making the streusel topping.
- Large mixing bowl: For mixing the scone dough.
- Fork or pastry blender: Either one works great for cutting in the butter.
- Rubber spatula: Helps you fold the dough gently without overmixing.
- Dough cutter or sharp knife: For cutting the dough into triangles.
Substitutions and Variations
Butter: If you only have unsalted butter, use it and add an extra pinch of salt to both the streusel and the dough.
Milk: You can swap the cold milk for cold buttermilk for a tangier flavor and even more tender texture. Heavy cream also works if you want richer scones.
Brown sugar: Light or dark brown sugar both work. Dark brown sugar will give a deeper molasses flavor.
Add-ins: Fold in ½ cup of chocolate chips, chopped pecans, raisins, or dried cranberries to the dough for extra flavor and texture.
Glaze: If you want them sweeter, drizzle a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk over the cooled scones.
Spice it up: Add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the dough along with the cinnamon for more complex flavor.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
Room temperature: Store cooled Cinnamon Scones in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. They’re best enjoyed fresh.
Refrigerator: Keep them in the fridge for up to 5 days in a sealed container. Warm them in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds before eating.
Freezer: Freeze baked scones in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or warm in a 300°F oven for about 10 minutes.
Freeze unbaked: You can also freeze the shaped, unbaked scones on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Make-ahead dough: Prepare the dough, shape it, and refrigerate overnight. Add the streusel in the morning and bake as directed.
Serving Suggestions
These cinnamon scones are delicious on their own, but here are some cozy ways to enjoy them:
With coffee or tea: Serve them warm alongside your morning coffee or a cup of hot tea for a classic breakfast or afternoon treat.
Add butter and jam: Spread a little salted butter or your favorite fruit jam on a warm scone for extra richness and flavor.
Brunch spread: Serve these as part of a weekend brunch with scrambled eggs, fresh fruit, and bacon or sausage.
Afternoon snack: These make a perfect mid-afternoon pick-me-up with a glass of cold milk.
Expert Tips
Keep ingredients cold: Cold butter and cold milk are the secrets to flaky, tender scones. If your kitchen is warm, pop the flour in the fridge for 10 minutes before starting.
Don’t overmix: Mix the dough just until it comes together. Overmixing develops the gluten and makes the scones tough instead of tender.
Use a light touch: When shaping the dough, handle it gently. The less you work it, the better the texture will be.
Check for doneness: The edges should be golden and the sides should look set and matte, not shiny. The centers might look slightly underdone, but they’ll finish cooking as they cool.
Cut with confidence: Use a sharp knife or dough cutter and slice straight down without twisting. Twisting can seal the edges and prevent the scones from rising properly.
Space them out: Give the scones room on the baking sheet so they bake evenly and develop nice crispy edges.
FAQ
What is a Cinnamon Scones?
A Cinnamon Scones is a lightly sweetened baked pastry flavored with cinnamon. It has a tender, crumbly texture similar to a biscuit but slightly sweeter. This version has a streusel topping that adds extra cinnamon flavor and a nice crunch.
Can I use cinnamon to bake scones?
Absolutely! Cinnamon Scones is a wonderful addition to scones. You can mix it into the dough like in this recipe, or sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top before baking. It pairs beautifully with the buttery, tender texture of scones.
What is the 15 minute rule for scones?
The 15 minute rule suggests chilling your scone dough for about 15 minutes before baking. This helps the butter stay cold, which creates flakier layers and helps the scones hold their shape better in the oven. If you’re short on time, you can skip this step, but chilling does improve the texture.
What is the secret to a good Cinnamon Scones?
The biggest secret is keeping your butter and liquids cold and not overmixing the dough. Cold butter creates steam pockets as it melts in the oven, which makes the scones flaky and tender. Mix just until combined, handle the dough gently, and you’ll get perfect scones every time.
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Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Cinnamon Scones
Cinnamon Scones
Fluffy, tender Cinnamon Scones topped with a sweet cinnamon streusel that fill your kitchen with irresistible warmth.
Ingredients
Method
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Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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In a medium bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and softened butter for the streusel. Use a fork to mix until large, sticky crumbs form. Set aside.
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In a large bowl, stir together flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt for the scone dough.
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Add diced cold butter and cut it into the dry ingredients using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
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Pour in cold milk and vanilla extract, then gently fold with a rubber spatula or your hands until the dough just comes together. Avoid overmixing.
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Transfer the dough to the prepared baking sheet and gently fold it into an 8-9 inch circle.
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Sprinkle the streusel evenly over the dough and lightly press so it sticks.
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Using a sharp knife or dough cutter, slice the dough into 8 triangles and space them about 2 inches apart. If any streusel falls off, gently press it back on top.
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Bake on the center rack for 16-18 minutes, or until edges are golden and the centers look set but not glossy.
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Allow the scones to cool slightly before serving warm.
Nutrition
Notes
These scones are perfect for cozy mornings or brunches, with a sweet cinnamon crunch that will make everyone smile. Try them with a warm cup of coffee or tea for extra comfort.
