These light, flaky and easy-to-make classic buttermilk scones are perfect with jam, lemon curd or just eaten plain with butter.
(Love scones? Try these Quick & Easy Lemon Buttermilk Scones for something a little lemony!)
These classic buttermilk scones are a reader favourite. And for good reason! They are quick and easy to make (no special equipment required), delicious (plain or with your favourite jam) and the perfect base for all your scone experiments.
Afternoon Tea Amateurs
I’ve been on a Scone Mission since that one summer we spent at Gravenhurst where we had afternoon tea for the first time. But I’m getting ahead of my story.
There’s this dainty little tea shop by the docks. The outside was painted a pretty blue and it had a very nice view of the lake.
We were hesitant to go in though because it was the middle of summer (who wants to drink tea when it’s 40C/104F out?) and what do you wear to afternoon tea anyway?
We imagined the Queen having afternoon tea but what about us her lowly subjects? We were full-on tourist mode too – shirt, shorts, Birkenstocks.
We went in nonetheless (we were hungry, hunger makes you do things) with no expectations and hoping that they won’t be snooty to us afternoon tea amateurs.
The Scone Mission begins
We were instant fans the moment we stepped in (the A/C was full blast, to start). The staff was warm and friendly, the place bright and smelled of freshly baked bread, and the food delightful.
The scones I especially loved so the moment we got back home my mission started. I’ve tried many different recipes and while they were all okay, this one is the best.
Quick and Easy Classic Buttermilk Scones
First of all, these classic buttermilk scones are so easy to make. You don’t even need an electric mixer. In fact, it’s better if you mix everything by hand so you avoid over-mixing the dough.
To cut the butter into the dough I just use my trusty pastry cutter and blender. If you don’t have one, just use two forks or knives. See here for more tips.
Second, they’re quick to bake – 12-15 minutes in the oven and you’re done. They’re ready for you faster than you can say buttermilk!
Speaking of buttermilk – they’re a great way to use up that extra buttermilk sitting in the fridge (and there’s always extra buttermilk sitting in the fridge).
Last but not least, these scones are light and flaky fresh from the oven. They are so good!
We eat them plain, with butter, with our favourite jam, with my homemade lemon curd or my rhubarb compote. And making this fills your kitchen with that lovely freshly baked bread smell that’s hard to beat.
Related: 22 Delicious Ways to Use Leftover Buttermilk
The Secret to Extra Flaky Scones
I have made these scones so many times I’ve lost count and have stuck to my original recipe ever since. Except for one tiny, but magic, change.
Instead of cold and cubed butter, I started using frozen grated butter.
What you do is freeze the butter at least half an hour before. Then grate it (I use a boxed cheese grater). Put the grated butter back in the freezer while you prep everything else.
This tiny change results to flakier scones and while grating the butter is admittedly a little extra work, perfectly flaky scones are worth it (I recommend these kind of gloves, saved my hand from the grater so many times!).
How to Freeze Scones
Another wonderful thing about this recipe is that the scones freeze beautifully.
This batch makes 16 small scones (about the size of a standard dinner roll) so whatever we don’t finish, we freeze (just put in a Ziploc bag and straight into the freezer). No need to thaw when you want to have one either.
Just pop it in the microwave for about 30 seconds and it’s done. It’s going to be more cakey than flaky at this point but still good.
They stay fresh for about two weeks frozen. Can’t be sure if they’re good longer than that because at this point we’ve already eaten every last one!
Related: Banana Buttermilk Pancakes with Candied Walnuts
How to Make Perfect Buttermilk Scones
And just when you think you couldn’t love these scones more – these classic buttermilk scones are also a great base for your other favourite ingredients so you can make a perfect batch of scones just just the way you like them. All you need to do is add ½ to ¾ cup of mix-ins to the dough before you knead it.
So far I’ve added dried cranberries, dried blueberries and chocolate chips.
Just make sure to adjust the sugar content – I usually put a little less sugar when I make these variations so they don’t end up being too sweet.
So go ahead. Make your own scones and have afternoon tea at home anytime. Doesn’t even have to be in the afternoon. Doesn’t even have to involve tea. Just eat the scones whenever and however way you like. No judgements.
Mother’s Day is slowly creeping up on us too and this is an awesome addition to your brunch (or, yes, afternoon tea) spread.
Classic Buttermilk Scones
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¾ cup unsalted butter frozen and grated (see post)
- 1 cup buttermilk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F. Lightly grease baking pan (I use 1 large cookie sheet, you may need to use 2 depending on how big your pan is) and set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine 3 cups flour, ⅓ cup sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder and ½ teaspoon baking soda.
- Add the ¾ cup butter and cut with a pastry cutter or a fork until the mixture looks coarse (you should see pieces of butter/flour “balls” about the size of chickpeas).
- Make a well in the middle and add 1 cup buttermilk. Mix until just combined. Don’t over mix. Now is the time to add chocolate chips or other goodies, if using.
- Transfer the dough to a floured surface and divide into 2 equal parts. Lightly knead each into ¾ inch thick, 6-inch diameter rounds. Cut each round into 8 wedges and place on your prepared baking pans. Space them out evenly, about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned. Each oven is different and they brown pretty quickly so watch the oven (don’t leave!).
- Take out of the oven and serve warm.
Video
Nutrition
Nutritional information are estimates only.
Happy baking!
Did you make these classic buttermilk scones? Tell me about it in the comments section below. I’d love to hear all about it.
Jan Dell
First time I’ve ever attempted scones from scratch. Absolutely the best ones I have ever eaten! I’m sure these will become a family favorite.
Jolina
Glad to hear that Jan! Enjoy!
David Beyer
what i like about this recipe is its simplicity yuumm i topped it with sugar but will try buttermilk
Sheri Munoz
I’ve made a lot of scones using different recipes and this one is in the top 3.
Delicious and light with the buttermilk tang. I also brushed tops with buttermilk before baking.
I’ll be posting a photo on Instagram. @auntiesheri808
Jolina
Hi Sheri, top 3 woot woot 🙂 Glad you like them!
Bill
Wow. I have found my scone recipe. This one is brilliant and so easy. All the so-so ones I’ve used in the past are a distant memory. Thank you.
Jolina
Thanks Bill! Enjoy!
Katherine
I have a buttermilk scone recipe I have made for several years. Your recipe is sooo much better. Grating the frozen butter is a game changer. So much lighter than any scone I have ever made or eaten at a coffee shop. This is a keeper. I added mini cinnamon chips to a batch and dried cranberries soaked in orange juice for about an hour and orange zest. Both batches were 2 thumbs up. I may soak the cranberries in orange liqueur next time.
Jolina
Thanks Katherine! Love your variations!
Susan M Monin
Thanks for the orange cranberry tip. I was going to try that next anyway.
Tara
I’ve never really made scones before and had a major craving for them. My mom usually makes them for my birthday brunch and they are delicious but not having her recipe, I went to google and found this one. I did find I needed to add a little extra buttermilk to the dough as it was quite floury (?), so used an extra tbsp to make it hold nicely. I also just grated butter from the fridge, which worked great (such a good tip for future baking!) I added the zest of 1 lemon to the scone mixture as well. The pieces looked small when cutting them but they fluff up to a nice medium size in the oven! They look just like a classic, heritage style scone, I love it! I put a lemon glaze on top with fresh lemon juice and icing sugar and they are absolutely delicious! Crunchy texture on the outside, nice and fluffy on the inside. Yum! I will be using this recipe as my go to from now on, thank you! 🙂
Jolina
Happy to hear that Tara! You’re most welcome, enjoy!
Kim
These scones are the best I’ve ever made!! Can’t wait to try different flavors.
Jolina
Glad you liked them Kim! Happy baking 🙂
Lois
I made the scones for our chicken BBQ the came out delicious the only problem I had was i added more buttermilk because they where too crumbly but other than they where a big hit for our strawberry shortcake
Katherine Priest
Have you tried freezing and baking later?
Abigail
The texture is lovely – light and buttery with a nice crust. The downside is they were incredibly salty. I followed the recipe as follows, used unsalted butter, etc. so I’m mystified as to why they taste so salty.
Jolina
Hi Abigail, that is strange. Could be a case of too much salt, too much baking soda (it can make baked goods salty) or not mixing well enough. Hope it doesn’t stop you from making the scones again, they’re really wonderful 🙂
Donna
I loved the texture! I halved the recipe and added a teaspoon of vanilla. I also folded the dough like a letter several times to gather it into a disk. My husband thought they could be sweeter but he added a few drizzles of honey and loved them. Next time I’ll increase the sugar. Very light and fluffy, a real keeper!
Jolina
Hi Donna, thanks for sharing your tips! Love a drizzle of honey on them too. Enjoy!
Lauren
I made these with my 4 year old son.. we added the zest of 2 lemons before mixing the buttermilk. Our oven runs hot so we baked at 375 for 12 mins and they came out perfect!
jeanne zuelke
I made this recipe for my book group. We had just read Tom Lake by Anne Patchett and a member bought cherry jam. Perfect scones, perfect jam. I did do a egg wash and sprinkled turbinado sugar on top before baking. I loved the grated butter idea. Frozen butter was a bit of work but butter from the fridge grated just fine. Then I put it in the freezer until I was ready. Will make these again for sure.
Jolina
Hi Jeanne, glad you enjoyed them! And +1 on cherry jam 🙂
Annie jones
I used dried apricots and walnuts. Delicious. Flaking the butter is worth it!
Jolina
I agree! It makes all the difference 🙂
Marilyn
I used Stevia to cut down on sugar and I also added dried cranberries. They came out fluffy and delicious!
Jolina
Glad you liked it Marilyn!
Rebecca Vardiman
Me again ☺️
Later on, I reheated the scones in the oven and they were just like fresh baked.
Jolina
Hello Rebecca! Glad you enjoyed them! And thanks for writing back to share your tip on reheating 🙂
Rebecca V
Hi Jolina, I’ve tried different scone recipes but I think this one is the gold standard. Honestly, grating the butter is a bit of a messy pain–but it radically changes how quick and easy it is to cut into the flour mix and how light and flaky the scones can be as a result–definitely worth the effort.
I kept this first effort simple, just adding lemon zest and a sprinkle of coarse sugar. But I will definitely be back to try other variations.
After the extra scones were cool, I put them in an air-tight tin. After a few hours they’d lost their crunchy edge. Is there a better way to store them?
Thanks for the great recipe!
Sara
Excellent recipe as-is, and a fantastic base for variations! I have mixed in semisweet mini chocolate chips, and just tried peaches and a hint of almond extract this weekend. All have been met with rave reviews!
I make these almost every week.
Jolina
Glad to hear it Sara! Would love to try these with peaches too. We got lots! 🙂
MJ
These are a solid scone base. I added some spices, cranberries, and walnuts then I brushed the top with egg white and sprinkled with pearl sugar. They looked gorgeous and had good height. Switching to this recipe from now on.
Jolina
Love those variations. Enjoy!
Robin joy
This recipe is perfect! I made it twice in 24 hrs. The first one I used about a half cup of crumbled Stilton apricot cheese and the second 9th I used craisins in the mix. Each batch was so tender a print tasty. We did a tea for the Coronation at our book club. I will be using again and again .
Jolina
Yes these would have been perfect to serve at a Coronation party! Glad you and your book club liked them 🙂 PS: apricot cheese sounds really interesting, I want to hunt some down!