If you’re craving something simple yet satisfying, these Quick and Easy Scones Recipe | Ready in 20 minutes are just what you need! These homemade scones come together in no time and are a treat everyone loves. Whether you’re new to baking or a seasoned pro, this recipe is straightforward and foolproof. Plus, you can fill them with jam, cream, or enjoy them plain!
If you’re a fan of quick and easy desserts, you’re in good company! Let me tempt you with a few crowd-pleasers. First up, this irresistible plum crumble—top it with a dollop of ice cream, and it’s game over. Or try an easy apple cake recipe that’s ready in a flash, loaded with juicy apples and cinnamon goodness.
A personal favourite? This classic sour cherry sponge cake—warning, it’s dangerously addictive! For something lighter, check out a flourless yoghurt cake that’s creamy, simple, and just plain satisfying. I get it; we’re all strapped for time, so fast recipes are a must. For a no-bake treat, don’t miss these mini chocolate tarts. Quick, easy, and guaranteed to hit the spot!
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💗 Why This Recipe Works
- Fast to Make: Ready in just 30 minutes from start to finish.
- Minimal Ingredients: Uses pantry staples like flour, butter, and milk.
- Customizable: Easily add your preferred fillings like jam or fruits.
- Perfect Texture: Light, fluffy, and slightly crisp on the outside.
🥧 Ingredients
*See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
- Self-raising flour – The key to getting that perfect rise.
- Cold unsalted butter – Cold butter creates that flaky texture.
- Caster sugar – Adds just the right touch of sweetness.
- Baking powder – Helps the scones rise and get that soft texture.
- Pinch salt – Enhances the balance of sweetness and richness.
- Whole milk, cold – Adds moisture and richness to the dough.
- Extra milk for brushing – Gives the scones a nice golden finish.
♻️ Substitutions
- Butter: If you’re dairy-free, you can swap out the butter for a plant-based alternative.
- Milk: For a non-dairy version, try using almond or oat milk instead of whole milk.
- Self-Raising Flour: If you don’t have self-raising flour, you can make your own by mixing plain flour with 2 teaspoon of baking powder per cup of flour.
👩🍳 How to Make Plain Scones
You’ll love our quick and easy scones! They’re simple to make and use everyday ingredients that come together perfectly for a satisfying treat. We’ll guide you through each step, from mixing the dough to shaping the scones. Your kitchen will be filled with that fresh-baked smell in no time!
Check out our step-by-step guide with photos to make the process even easier!
Mix the ingredients: In a stand mixer, combine self-raising flour, cold diced butter, caster sugar, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Slowly add cold milk and mix until a soft dough forms.
Shape the scones: Lightly flour a surface and roll the dough out to about 1 inch thick. Use a round cutter to shape the scones.
Place on baking sheet: Transfer the shaped scones onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving a little space between them.
Brush with milk and bake: Brush the tops of the scones with cold milk, then bake in a preheated oven at 220°C (425°F) for 12-15 minutes, until they’re golden.
📖 Variations
Sweet Variations:
- Chocolate Chip: 100g (½ cup) chocolate chips
- Cinnamon Raisin: 75g (½ cup) raisins + 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- Lemon Blueberry: 100g (¾ cup) fresh blueberries + zest of 1 lemon
Savoury Variations:
- Cheddar Chive: 100g (1 cup) grated cheddar + 2 tablespoon chopped chives
- Bacon Pepper: 80g (½ cup) cooked bacon bits + ½ teaspoon black pepper
Pro Tip:
For extra flavour, brush savoury scones with garlic butter before baking!
☕ Serving Suggestions
Scones are a classic treat that pairs beautifully with so many things! Serve these scones warm with:
- Strawberry Jam: A classic pairing that brings out the sweetness of the scones.
- Clotted Cream: If you can get your hands on it, this is a traditional favourite.
- Butter and Honey: A simple yet delicious option.
❓ FAQs
Make sure your butter is cold, and don’t overwork the dough. Cutting straight down when shaping the scones also helps them rise evenly.
Yes! You can prepare the dough, shape the scones, and freeze them unbaked. When you’re ready to bake, just pop them in the oven from frozen – they’ll only need a few extra minutes.
You can easily make your own by mixing 1 cup of all-purpose flour with 2 teaspoon of baking powder.
Use sour cream or yoghurt to keep them moist. Don’t overmix the dough—just enough to bring it together. Gently fold the dough over itself a few times for those flaky layers. And chill the shaped scones in the freezer for a bit before baking—this helps them keep their shape and locks in the butter.
Freeze the dough for about 30 minutes before baking. This helps the scones rise higher while keeping them moist and flavorful.
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Quick and Easy Scones
Equipment
- Large bowl
- Round cutter Ø6 cm (2 inch)
- Baking Tray
- Pasty brush
Ingredients
- 500 g self-raising flour 4 cups
- 150 g cold unsalted butter ⅔ cup
- 50 g caster sugar ¼ cup
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 pinch salt
- 250 g whole milk cold (1 cup)
- Extra milk for brushing
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 200°C (392°F) (standard) or 180°C (350°F) (fan/convection). In a food processor, combine flour, butter, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Blitz for about 5 seconds until a crumbly dough forms.500 g self-raising flour, 150 g cold unsalted butter, 50 g caster sugar, 2 teaspoon baking powder, 1 pinch salt
- Pour in the cold milk and blitz for another 10 seconds until a non-sticky dough forms.250 g whole milk
- Transfer the dough onto a clean work surface, scraping out any residual bits from the food processor.
- Knead lightly to bring the dough together into a smooth ball, then roll it out to 2 cm (1 inch) thick. Dust with extra flour if necessary.
- Dip a Ø6 cm (2 inch) round cutter into extra flour, then cut out the scones without twisting. Repeat until all the dough is cut into scones. Carefully transfer the scones onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper, ensuring the cut sides remain intact.
- Brush the tops of the scones with a little extra milk for a golden finish.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the scones have risen and are lightly golden on top.
- Once done, remove from the oven and transfer to a dish towel, wrapping them loosely to keep the tops soft. Serve warm, traditionally split with hands, with jam and clotted cream.
Notes
Tips and Tricks
- The key to great scones is keeping the ingredients as cold as possible, so work fast to prevent the butter from melting.
- Less is more when it comes to scone dough. A light hand will give you better, fluffier scones.
- When cutting out your scones, use a sharp round cutter and press down without twisting. This helps the scones rise more evenly.
Elena says
Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Claudia Ciorteanu says
My family loved this!
Andrea says
Super simple and came out soft and golden. We had them warm with jam and butter.
Juyali says
These scones came together so fast and baked up perfectly golden. I left them plain and added jam on the side.
Vicky says
I cannot wait to make these again for Easter. They were so yummy and went perfectly with my afternoon cup of tea. So fluffy!
Liz says
These were the best scones I've ever had! What an excellent recipe!
Nicole Kendrick says
This worked exactly as written, thanks!
Ian Wilson says
That’s the closest recipe to the one I got from my great aunt who owned a cafe in Lancashire for many years. Auntie Betty was renowned for her scones (does NOT rhyme with stone).
I added the “blitz” method after seeing Jacques Pépin using it to make pastry for a Tarte. And I push mine into a single round before cutting it into eight wedges.
Thanks for a great article/recipe!
Good stuff!
Swathi says
Quick and easy scones are delicious, my kids as asked me to make it again.
Oscar says
I love how quick these scones are to make—perfect for a cozy afternoon snack. A little jam and cream, and they’re as good as any bakery scone!
Nicole says
These scones were incredible!! Such a great recipe! They were quick and easy to throw together.