Apple Pie Scones
These easy Apple Pie Scones are soft, flaky, and filled with sweet apples and cozy spices. With minimal prep time, these simple scones are perfect for breakfast or dessert!
Apple Pie Scones
Light, flaky, butter apple cinnamon scones…doesn’t that sound heavenly?
Apples are one of my favorite fruits to bake with and scones are a favorite treat of mine, so this cozy combo seemed perfect together.
And just incase you’re looking for more apple pie recipes…this apple pie French toast, apple pie pop tarts, and caramel apple pie dip are a few of my favorites.
If scones intimidate you, I’m here to tell you that these easy scones are just that…easy to make, I promise! No dry, stale scones, only light, soft, and tender pillows filled with cozy flavors.
The most intimidating part (for me) is always cutting the cold butter into the dough, as I always feel that I don’t do it well enough. Well, I’ve got a special trick to combat that, so keep reading, my friends!
If you’re worried about dry scones, I’m here to put your mind at ease. Dry scones are the result of over-mixing the dough. And over-mixing leads to an excess amount of gluten, which is a big no in scone-land. So, as long as you pay attention to that, these babies will be ultra soft and thick.
These homemade scones are simple, fresh, and loaded with cozy apple flavors. Perfect for fall (or anytime!) and just you need to get your apple pie fix.
Ingredients in Apple Pie Scones:
- All-purpose flour
- Light brown sugar
- Baking powder
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Salted
- Unsalted butter
- Apple (honey crisp or granny smith work best)
- Heavy cream
- Egg
- Vanilla
Topping:
- Granulated sugar
- Cinnamon
How to Make Apple Scones:
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a large baking pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk flour, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Cut in butter with using a pastry cutter or two forks until mixture resembles coarse sand. Then fold in chopped apple.In a small bowl, whisk heavy cream, egg, and vanilla. Gradually add to flour mixture until dough comes together.
- Turn dough out onto prepared pan or a lightly floured surface. Knead several times and shape into an 8-inch disk. Dough will be sticky crumbly. Cut dough into 8 wedges, but do not separate pieces.
- In a small bowl, stir granulated and cinnamon together. Brush scones with additional heavy cream and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until scones are golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool on pan completely before cutting into wedges.
What Kind of Apple Should I Use?
A sweeter and/or tart apple works best in this recipe for more flavor, such as honey crisp or granny smith.
What is the Best Way to Cut Butter into Flour?
Using two forks or a pastry cutter is a good way, but this is my favorite method:
- Freeze one stick of butter for about 30 minutes. Remove from freezer and grate butter into a small bowl using the largest holes on a cheese grater. Add to flour mixture and stir to combine.
How to Store Apple Scones:
Scones will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days.
Can I Freeze Scones?
You can! Place them in a freezer-safe container or bag and store in the freezer for up to three months.
Recipe Variations:
- I use light brown sugar in these scones, but dark brown sugar could be used instead for a deeper molasses flavor.
- Apple pie spice can be used in place of cinnamon and nutmeg for a richer apple flavor.
- These scones would be a delicious if topped with a maple glaze from this scone recipe.
Tips for Making the Best Apple Scones:
- Keep the ingredients cold: the butter, egg, and heavy cream should remain cold to help the scones retain their shape when baking.
- If you have time, you can chill the dough for 15-30 minutes before baking, which will prevent the butter from warming up, which will help the scones hold their shape.
- Like I mentioned above, try not to overwork/over-handle the dough. This will result in a drier, tough scone.
- Don’t skip the brush of heavy cream on top! This will help the tops become crisp.
Looking for More Scone Recipes? I’ve Got You Covered!
Apple Pie Scones
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed, (see note below)
- 1 medium apple, peeled and chopped, (honey crisp or granny smith work well)
- ½ cup heavy cream, (plus more for topping)
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste, (or vanilla extract)
Topping:
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a large baking pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk flour, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Cut in butter with using a pastry cutter or two forks until mixture resembles coarse sand. Then fold in chopped apple.**Alternatively (and a much easier method), freeze one stick of butter for about 30 minutes. Remove from freezer and grate butter using the largest holes on a cheese grater. Add to flour mixture and stir to combine. Set aside.**
- In a small bowl, whisk heavy cream, egg, and vanilla. Gradually add to flour mixture until dough comes together.
- Turn dough out onto prepared pan or a lightly floured surface. Knead several times and shape into an 8-inch disk. Dough will be sticky crumbly. Cut dough into 8 wedges, but do not separate pieces.
- In a small bowl, stir granulated and cinnamon together. Brush scones with additional heavy cream and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until scones are golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool on pan completely before cutting into wedges.
Notes
- Scones will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days.
- See my tips and tricks for making these Apple Pie Scones above the recipe box.
This Apple scones recipe is soooo good. I’m so glad i found your recipe,it’s one of the best recipes I’ve found.
So glad you enjoyed, Kornelia!