Why This Is the Best Easy Scone Recipe
Great scones are all about technique rather than complexity.
The secret to light, fluffy homemade scones is:
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Using cold butter
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Handling the dough gently
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Avoiding overmixing
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Baking in a hot, preheated oven
This is a classic British scone recipe designed to give you bakery-style results at home.
Scone Recipe Ingredients (UK Measurements)
You will need:
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225g self-raising flour
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Large pinch of salt
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50g unsalted butter (cold and cubed)
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2 tbsp caster sugar
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110ml milk
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1 tsp lemon juice (optional but recommended)
Equipment:
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Two baking trays, greased with butter and lined with baking paper
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Scone cutter
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Mixing bowl and table knife
Step-by-Step Method – How to Make Scones
1. Preheat the Oven
- Preheat your oven to 200°C fan.
- A hot oven is essential for helping your scones rise quickly and develop a golden top.
- Prepare two baking trays by greasing and lining them.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients
- Place the flour and salt into a bowl and mix well.
- This helps ensure even flavour and texture throughout your scones.
3. Rub in the Butter
- Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour.
- Using your fingertips, rub the butter into the flour until the mixture looks like fine breadcrumbs.
- Work quickly and lightly — warm hands can melt the butter and affect the rise.
4. Warm the Milk Slightly
- Add the lemon juice to the milk and microwave for about 30 seconds.
- This is an optional step, but it can help create softer, more tender scones.
5. Add Sugar
- Stir the caster sugar into the breadcrumb mixture using a table knife.
- Avoid heavy mixing at this stage.
6. Form the Scone Dough
- Make a well in the centre of the bowl and pour in the milk.
- Mix gently until the ingredients come together to form a sticky, soft dough.
- Do not overwork the dough — this is one of the most important steps when learning how to make light scones.
7. Shape and Cut the Scones
- Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface.
- Pat or roll the dough until it is about 2.5cm thick.
- Use a cutter to cut out your scones and place them onto the prepared trays.
- 👉 Tip: Press the cutter straight down without twisting to help the scones rise evenly.
8. Bake Until Golden
- Bake the scones for 10–15 minutes until they have risen and turned golden brown on top.
- Every oven is slightly different, so keep an eye on them after 10 minutes.
9. Cool and Serve
- Transfer the baked scones to a cooling rack.
- Scones are best eaten fresh, preferably slightly warm.
How to Serve Traditional British Scones
The classic UK way to enjoy scones is with:
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Strawberry or raspberry jam
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Clotted cream
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Butter
And of course, a cup of tea.
(If you want to join one of Britain’s great debates - the age-old question of whether jam or cream goes first is entirely up to you!)
How to Store Homemade Scones
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Best eaten on the same day
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Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days
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Refresh in a warm oven before serving
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Freeze baked scones if needed
Common Scone Baking Tips
✅ Use cold butter for a better rise
✅ Handle dough as little as possible
✅ Make sure the oven is fully preheated
✅ Cut straight down with the cutter
✅ Bake immediately after shaping
Final Thoughts
Learning how to make scones at home doesn’t need to be complicated. This easy scone recipe UK bakers can rely on produces soft, golden, traditional British scones with minimal effort. Homemade scones are perfect for afternoon tea, family gatherings, or simply treating yourself to a comforting classic bake.
If you love simple, joyful baking, you’ll love the philosophy behind our boxes at The Cake Tasting Club — because great baking is about more than ingredients. It’s about moments of happiness shared over something delicious. Find out what's in this month's Cake Tasting Club Box here.
