Fluffy Buttermilk Scones Recipe: Homemade Bakery Magic

Golden mornings call for something special, and these buttermilk scones burst with delightful flavor and texture.

Soft, flaky buttermilk scones melt in your mouth with every delectable bite.

The secret lies in combining simple ingredients with gentle mixing techniques that preserve their delicate structure.

Each scone emerges from the oven with a perfectly golden exterior and an incredibly tender crumb.

Rich, buttery notes dance across your palate, complemented by a subtle tangy essence from fresh buttermilk.

Warm, freshly baked scones invite you to slow down and savor a moment of pure culinary comfort.

This recipe promises a breakfast treat that transforms an ordinary morning into something truly extraordinary.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 210 kcal

Servings: 9

How to Make Buttermilk Scones with a Tender Crumb

• Warm Up Your Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 400F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper, creating the perfect stage for your delicious scones.

• Mix Dry Ingredients

Grab a big bowl and whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until they’re best friends.

• Create Crumbly Texture

Toss in cold butter cubes and work them into the dry mixture using your fingers or a pastry cutter until it looks like rough, sandy crumbs.

• Bring The Dough Together

Pour in buttermilk and vanilla, stirring gently until just combined. If you’re feeling adventurous, fold in any extra goodies like fruit or chocolate.

• Shape Your Scones

Dust your counter with flour and pat the dough into a circle about 3/4 inch thick. Slice into 8 wedges like a pie.

• Prepare For Baking

Arrange the wedges on your prepared baking sheet and give them a quick buttermilk wash for a gorgeous golden finish.

• Bake To Perfection

Pop the scones in the oven for 15-18 minutes until they turn a beautiful golden brown and smell heavenly.

• Enjoy Your Creation

Let them cool briefly, then serve warm with butter, jam, or whatever makes your taste buds dance.

Ideas for Toppings and Mix-Ins in Buttermilk Scones

• Work quickly and use ice-cold butter for the flakiest texture, ensuring each butter piece remains distinct within the dough.
• Don't overmix the buttermilk into the dry ingredients; a few small lumps are perfect for creating tender, light scones with delicate crumb.
• Experiment with add-ins like dried cranberries, chocolate chips, lemon zest, or chopped nuts to transform the basic recipe into exciting variations.
• Swap regular flour with a high-quality gluten-free flour blend and add an extra tablespoon of buttermilk to maintain moisture and prevent dryness.
• Replace buttermilk with dairy-free alternatives like almond milk mixed with apple cider vinegar, and use coconut oil instead of butter for a plant-based version.

Ways to Serve Buttermilk Scones for Breakfast or Tea

• Breakfast Bliss Pairing: Serve these warm buttermilk scones alongside creamy scrambled eggs and crispy bacon for a hearty morning feast that'll energize your day.
• Berry Jam Heaven: Spread homemade strawberry or raspberry jam generously over the scones, letting the sweet fruity preserve complement the buttery, tender texture.
• Clotted Cream Delight: Top your freshly baked scones with rich, velvety clotted cream and a drizzle of honey for a classic British-inspired treat that melts in your mouth.
• Morning Coffee Companion: Enjoy these scones with a steaming mug of freshly brewed coffee or tea, allowing the warm pastry to perfectly balance the robust beverage's flavor.

Storage Tips for Buttermilk Scones to Stay Fluffy

• Store scones in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days, keeping them away from direct sunlight and heat sources to maintain freshness.
• Wrap individual scones tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags. Frozen scones stay delicious for up to 3 months – simply thaw at room temperature or warm gently in the oven.
• Prepare scone dough in advance, shape into wedges, and refrigerate overnight. When ready to bake, place directly from refrigerator to preheated oven for fresh, warm scones with minimal morning effort.
• Place a paper towel in the storage container to absorb excess moisture and prevent scones from becoming soggy, ensuring they remain crumbly and delightful for longer.

Buttermilk Scones Start with These Bakery Staples

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the sturdy base for tender, flaky scones with perfect texture and structure.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds subtle sweetness and helps with golden-brown caramelization.
• Baking Powder: Creates lift and airiness, ensuring scones rise beautifully.
• Baking Soda: Helps neutralize acidic buttermilk and promotes even browning.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness.

• Buttermilk: Delivers tangy flavor, tender crumb, and acts as a natural tenderizer for light scones.
• Vanilla Extract: Introduces warm, aromatic depth and complements the buttery base.

• Unsalted Butter: Creates flaky layers, provides rich flavor, and ensures a melt-in-your-mouth texture. Choose high-quality, cold butter for best results and cut into small cubes before incorporating.

Tools That Help You Cut and Bake Buttermilk Scones

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining dry ingredients and creating scone dough.
• Pastry cutter or fingers: Perfect for cutting cold butter into flour mixture.
• Small bowl: Used for mixing buttermilk and vanilla.
• Whisk: Helps blend dry ingredients smoothly.
• Baking sheet: Provides surface for baking scones.
• Parchment paper: Prevents scones from sticking and makes cleanup easy.
• Sharp knife or bench scraper: Helps cut dough into clean wedges.
• Pastry brush: Used for brushing buttermilk on top of scones for golden finish.

Tender Buttermilk Scones Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Warm, buttery buttermilk scones bring British countryside charm straight to your breakfast table. Crisp edges and tender crumb promise a delightful morning indulgence you’ll savor with each delectable bite.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• ½ cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
• ¾ cup (180 ml) buttermilk, plus extra for brushing
• 2 cups (240 g) all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) baking powder
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup (75 g) add-ins (dried fruit, chocolate chips, or berries), optional

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preparation: Activate the oven to 400F (200C) and arrange a parchment paper liner on the baking sheet for optimal surface coverage.
2. Dry Mixture: Integrate flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a spacious mixing bowl, whisking thoroughly to ensure uniform distribution of dry ingredients.
3. Butter Integration: Incorporate cold butter cubes into the dry mixture, using a pastry cutter or fingertips to create a textured, crumbly consistency resembling coarse breadcrumbs.
4. Liquid Fusion: Blend buttermilk and vanilla in a separate container, then delicately pour into the dry ingredients, stirring minimally to maintain a light texture. Gently fold in any additional mix-ins like dried fruits, nuts, or chocolate chips.
5. Dough Formation: Transfer the mixture onto a lightly dusted surface, performing a gentle kneading to unify the dough. Carefully shape into a circular disk approximately 3/4-inch thick.
6. Portioning and Brushing: Segment the disk into 8 symmetrical wedges, positioning them on the prepared baking sheet. Softly brush the scone surfaces with buttermilk to enhance golden coloration.
7. Baking Process: Position the baking sheet in the preheated oven, allowing the scones to transform into a rich, golden-brown delicacy within 15-18 minutes.
8. Serving: Allow minimal cooling time and present warm, accompanied by preferred spreads or complementary garnishes.

Notes

• Use extremely cold butter, straight from the refrigerator, to ensure flaky and tender scones. Cold butter creates pockets of steam during baking, resulting in a light, airy texture.
• Avoid overmixing the dough, which can lead to tough, dense scones. Stir ingredients just until they come together, keeping the mixture slightly shaggy for the best results.
• Experiment with mix-ins like dried fruits, chocolate chips, or nuts. Gently fold additions into the dough to prevent overmixing and maintain the scones’ delicate structure.
• Use a sharp knife or bench scraper to cut wedges cleanly. Press straight down without twisting to ensure even rising and a beautiful final shape.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: British

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 25 mg