Pin It These cinnamon honey apple scones are my answer to chilly mornings or cozy afternoons when you want something a little sweet and deeply comforting. Each bite is filled with tender apple pieces, the warmth of cinnamon, and a touch of honey that makes the crumb moist and fragrant. They come together easily from pantry basics but taste like something special from your favorite bakery.
The first time I made these was on a crisp fall morning and within minutes, the scent of apples and cinnamon wafted through the house and my family gathered in the kitchen. Now they disappear as fast as I can make them.
Ingredients
- All purpose flour: creates the structure of the scones use a fresh bag for best results
- Granulated sugar: sweetens and helps crisp the tops pick organic or fine granulated sugar for lovely texture
- Baking powder: gives lift and ensures your scones rise high choose an aluminum free variety for the cleanest flavor
- Salt: balances sweetness and brings out all the flavors sea salt or kosher salt is great here
- Ground cinnamon: infuses warm spice use a fresh jar for the richest aroma
- Honey: adds unique sweetness and keeps the crumb soft local raw honey will add beautiful floral notes
- Cold unsalted butter: creates flaky pockets and a rich texture cube it straight from the fridge
- Whole milk or cream: provides moisture and richness choose the freshest you can get your hands on
- Large egg: gives structure and an extra golden finish farm fresh eggs make a difference
- Vanilla extract: rounds out all the flavors try to use real vanilla for warmth
- Apple: gives juicy bursts in every bite pick a firm tart sweet apple like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith and dice just before mixing to keep it fresh
- Optional honey for drizzling: boosts flavor and shine and coarse sugar for an irresistible crunchy top
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare the Pan:
- Set your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit or 200 degrees Celsius. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper so nothing sticks and cleanup is easy.
- Mix Dry Ingredients:
- In a large mixing bowl whisk together the all purpose flour granulated sugar baking powder salt and cinnamon. This even distribution is essential for even texture and rise.
- Cut in Butter:
- Add the cold cubed butter to the bowl. Use a pastry blender or your fingertips to work the butter into the flour until it looks like coarse sand with some larger pea sized bits. Those chunks will create the classic flaky scone layers.
- Add Apple:
- Fold in your diced apple distributing the pieces evenly. Toss the apple in the flour mixture to prevent sticking and help carry the fruit through the dough.
- Combine Wet Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl whisk together the honey milk or cream lightly beaten egg and vanilla extract. Whisk until well combined and smooth.
- Bring Dough Together:
- Pour the wet ingredients over the dry mixture. Stir gently with a fork or spatula just until the dough starts to come together. It should look shaggy avoid overmixing to keep the scones tender.
- Shape and Cut:
- Dust a clean surface with a little flour. Turn out your dough and gently pat it into a circle about one inch or two and a half centimeters thick. Use your hands to keep the edges smooth.
- Slice and Arrange:
- Cut the round into eight equal wedges. Place them on your prepared baking sheet with space between for expansion.
- Top and Bake:
- Brush the tops of the scones with a bit of milk or cream and sprinkle with coarse sugar if you like a crunchy finish. Slide the sheet into the oven and bake for eighteen to twenty minutes until golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool and Serve:
- Let the scones cool for ten minutes on a wire rack. If you prefer extra sweetness finish with a light drizzle of honey before serving.
Pin It My favorite thing about these scones is how the honey and butter work together to keep them moist for days. I remember my daughter’s grin after her first bite warm from the oven hands sticky with honey she has asked for them every autumn since.
Storage Tips
Keep scones in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. If you want to bake ahead they freeze perfectly. Just pop cooled scones in a freezer bag and thaw at room temp or warm a few minutes in the oven before serving. Avoid refrigerating as it can dry them out.
Ingredient Substitutions
For a dairy free version use cold coconut oil in place of butter and dairy free milk or cream. You can swap in maple syrup for honey for a different sweetness profile. Gluten free flour blend works if you use one with xanthan gum added but texture will be slightly different. Pear or even diced ripe peaches make a fun apple substitute.
Serving Suggestions
Serve your cinnamon honey apple scones with a mug of black tea or chai for a lovely cozy snack. They also shine as a brunch centerpiece paired with a bowl of yogurt and extra chopped fruit. For a party platter slice smaller wedges and tuck them into a bread basket.
Cultural and Seasonal Context
Scones trace their roots back to British tea culture but this version brings American orchard flavors to the table. Apples and cinnamon signal autumn but this recipe works year round especially with local apples in season. The honey twist is my little nod to childhood memories of stirring it into warm milk on chilly nights.
Seasonal Adaptations
Try fresh pears for winter scones Add a handful of cranberries with the apple for a festive holiday spin Swap in nutmeg or cardamom for part of the cinnamon to match spice to your mood
Success Stories
A friend once made these scones for her book club and they were gone before the discussion even started. She later shared the recipe for a bake sale and said not a crumb was left. These have quickly become a family favorite for picnics and lazy weekend mornings.
Freezer Meal Conversion
Let the baked scones cool completely then freeze in a single layer before transferring to a bag. To enjoy later just reheat in the oven until warmed through no need to thaw overnight. You can also freeze shaped unbaked wedges and bake right from frozen adding a few extra minutes to the bake time.
Pin It Share these tender scones with loved ones for breakfast or tea. They vanish fast, so make a double batch if you want leftovers!
Recipe FAQs
- → Which apple variety works best?
Use tart-sweet apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for moist, flavorful results.
- → Can I use alternative sweeteners?
Yes, maple syrup or agave can substitute for honey, but may slightly alter the taste and texture.
- → How do I achieve tender scones?
Use cold butter, handle the dough lightly, and avoid overmixing to keep scones soft and flaky.
- → Are nuts a suitable addition?
Yes, adding 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans lends crunch and complements the fruity flavors.
- → Can scones be made ahead of time?
Baked scones can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat gently before serving.