Whether you’re hosting a Mother’s Day brunch, afternoon tea, or a sweet birthday party, scones are a flavorful treat that just can’t be missed. The good news is that there are dozens of scone flavors out there that are unique for your event.
From sweet, to savory, and even gluten-free, we’ve got a recipe for any palate. So get ready to celebrate with these delicious scone recipes.
What are scones?
Scones are a baked good that is believed to have originated in Scotland. They are made with flour, sugar, butter, eggs, and baking powder and usually baked on a baking sheet. (source)
Scones are often associated with afternoon tea, but they can be enjoyed any time of day. With nearly endless flavor options, you can make flavors that match the event, the season, or even just your mood.
For example, you might want to make a floral based scone recipe for your Mother’s Day or Easter brunch to celebrate spring. Or you might want to make a couple savory scone flavors for an afternoon bridal shower.
But beyond just the flavor, scones can be a great way to show off your baking skills. With so many different flavors and decorating options, scones offer a chance to get creative in the kitchen. They’re also relatively quick and easy to make, so while you look like a baking guru, you’ll know they didn’t take all day.
What is the difference between American Scones and English Scones?
There are several differences between American and British scones, but the primary difference is often the sweetness.
- British scones are simpler, lightly sweetened, with fewer ingredients. This is because they are often served with plenty of butter, jams, and creams to put on top.
- American scones are typically very sweet, heavy, and dry. You’ll find them in most American coffee houses in a variety of flavors.
If you want to learn more, this article from Cook’s Illustrated goes more in-depth about the differences.
What is the difference between a Scone and a Biscuit?
While the ingredients for both may often look similar, there are some subtle, but key differences between the two. Here’s the short version:
- Biscuits should be buttery and flaky, with plenty of layers, and is fairly moist -thanks to all that butter.
- Scones, on the other hand, are slightly sweeter, denser, and a bit more crumbly.
This is at least my American take on the subject. Plenty of other people have strong opinions about this. If you disagree…let me know in the comments section below!
Toppings for Scones
Scones were made for toppings. In some ways, they’re really just a delivery vehicle for the delicious spreads and toppings added just before taking that first delicious bite.
Most of the scone recipes here won’t need much more than a bit of butter or cream for moisture. But if you’re wanting to set out a full display for afternoon tea or brunch, here are a few toppings to get you started:
- Butter – A must. Make sure it’s softened so it spreads easily.
- Clotted Cream – This extra thick cream is made by heating whole cream cow’s milk and then leaving cooling it slowly in shallow pans. (You can find it in some grocery stores in America. Just ask the dairy manager at your local store)
- Lemon curd – One of my favorites, this tart and tangy spread is made with eggs, butter, sugar, and lemon juice. It’s a great way to add a burst of flavor to your scones.
- Jams and Jellies – Sweet and available in just about any fruity flavor, you can’t go wrong with a selection of jams and jellies.
- Honey – Drizzle a little on top for a bit of moisture and a touch of sweetness without preservatives
- Nutella – It’s not a traditional topping, but you can’t go wrong with a little Nutella on your scones.
The Ultimate List of Scrumptious Scone Flavors and Recipes
Ready to dig in and find your favorite scone recipes? We've got you covered with this ultimate list of scone flavors. To make it even easier, we've broken it down into the following sections:
- Traditional Scone Flavors
- Popular Scone Flavors
- Sweet scone flavors
- Savory Scone Flavors
- Scone flavors for Spring
- Summer scone Flavors
- Scone Flavors for Fall and Winter
Don't forget, there's often overlap between sections, so make sure you check out the whole list before you head off to your favorites.
Traditional Scone Flavors
Yes, it's fun to get experimental with our party menus, but always remember to have at least one classic recipe on your table. Including a traditional scone recipe is the perfect place to start.
Plus, once you master the basic scone, you'll be far more prepared to add your own sweet or savory flavorings. Yum!
Classic English Scones
If you're looking to master the traditional scone, look no further than these classic English Scones. These light, fluffy, and soft scones are delicious served warm OR cold with clotted cream and jam. They can also act as a base for your favorite flavor additions.
Easy Date Scones
Not only is this date scone recipe great tasting, plus moist and fluffy...but they are truly soooo easy! (As is evidenced by all the positive reviews in the comments section!)
Vegan Edinburgh Fruit Scones
Vegan Edinburgh fruit scones are an updated take on a centuries-old Scottish bake from the lovely city of Edinburgh. These rustic scones are soft, crumbly, and sweetened with delicious currants, making them perfect for a cup of tea or coffee.
Air Fryer Scones
With the help of an Air Fryer, you can make the perfect scones every time! Whether you make class scones with a lovely golden-brown crust, or add your favorite mix-ins, the Air Fryer will change the way you look at scones forever.
Popular scone flavors
You're probably familiar with certain scone flavors more than others. Fruity flavors in particular tend to be favorites. Here are some of the most popular flavors you'll find in coffee houses and bakeries:
Starbucks Blueberry Scones Recipe with Lemon Icing
Looking for a delicious and healthier alternative to Starbucks' Blueberry Scones? Look no further than these delicious Copycat Starbucks Blueberry Scones! Made with less sugar and fresh blueberries, these scones are a perfect breakfast or snack option!
Starbucks Petite Vanilla Bean Scones Recipe
Starbucks Petite Vanilla Bean Scones are just like the ones you love from the coffee chain, but even better because you can make them yourself! These scones are fluffy, tender, and topped with a delicious glaze. They're perfect for breakfast or a snack, and can easily be customized with your favorite flavors.
Orange Scones
These copycat Panera orange scones are simple to make and perfect for Easter, Mother's day, or any special occasion! They're light, flaky, and full of fresh orange flavor. The orange vanilla butter icing is out of this world and makes these scones irresistible!
Starbucks Blueberry Scone Recipe
If you love Starbucks blueberry scones, but don't love the price tag, then this recipe is for you! These copycat scones are easy to make and just as delicious as the real thing. Plus, they're perfect for a quick breakfast or snack.
Lemon Scones
There's nothing like the taste of fresh lemon scones! These scones are flavored with delicious lemon sugar, making them the perfect sweet treat for any occasion.
Sweet Scone Flavors
Sweet scone flavors are the most popular for parties and other special occasions because the flavors and colors can be made to match any party theme or color.
For example, blueberry scones would be perfect at a baby shower with a blue color scheme. And strawberry scones would work well at an Easter brunch when pastels like pink and yellow are popular.
Lemon and poppy seed scones
Lemon poppy seed scones are the perfect treat for afternoon tea. Serve them with lemon curd and clotted cream for a delicious, and easy treat.
Easy White Chocolate Raspberry Scones
A touch of white chocolate takes these scones up a notch, making them the perfect addition to a special occasion that is sure to impress your guests.
Lemon Blueberry (or Huckleberry) Scones with Cream Cheese Glaze
Lemon Blueberry Scones with a lemony cream cheese glaze are over-the-top delicious. The scones are perfectly moist with a crumbly texture, and the addition of juicy blueberries and a tart glaze takes them to the next level.
Strawberry White Chocolate Scones
These amazing Strawberry White Chocolate Scones are loaded with fresh strawberries and white chocolate chips, making them an impressive treat for any occasion.
Cinnamon Banana Scones
Cinnamon banana scones with cinnamon cream cheese glaze is a unique twist that is loaded with flavor. Sweet, soft and tender with a tangy glaze on top - this is one recipe that is sure to leave your guests talking.
Cinnamon Crunch Scones
These small batch, wholegrain Cinnamon Crunch Scones are buttery, tender, and bursting with cinnamon flavor. The cinnamon crumb crunch topping takes it even more over the top for a sweet treat that is sure to be the star at your next brunch or luncheon.
Earl Grey Scones Recipe
Scones and tea are naturals together, so why not bake your tea right in? Earl Grey, with its distinctive flavour, adds a delicate but delicious note to this scone recipe. And, because Earl Grey is always best with lemon, a tea-infused, lemony glaze completes the treat.
Honey Scones - Gluten Free, Eggless
These honey scones are a simple and delicious treat that pairs well with all your other brunch and afternoon tea treats. Made with gluten free flour, and sweetened only with honey, they have a subtle flavor that isn't too over-powering or cloying.
Chocolate Chip Scones
Sweet and fluffy chocolate chip scones with a vanilla glaze scones are perfect for a crowd. Tender and flaky with a hint of semi-sweet chocolate spiked throughout, this scone recipe will be your go-to for everything from brunch to baby showers.
Savory Scone Flavors
Including a savory scone flavor at your celebration is a great way to mix things up and provide something for everyone. Savory pastries can be served alongside your favorite brunch dishes like bacon and eggs, or they can be the main event at your tea party with a side of fruit salad and mimosas.
Cheese and Onion Scones
Cheese and onion scones are the perfect snack or side dish for any meal. These light and fluffy scones are packed with flavor and make a great addition to any meal.
Sourdough Discard Blueberry Scones with Fresh Thyme
These light and fluffy scones are packed with juicy blueberries and have crispy crumbly edges. The combination of sourdough discard and fresh thyme adds a pleasant savory flavor that will delight your taste buds.
Cheesy Vegan Savoury Pumpkin Scones
These savory pumpkin scones are the perfect vegan alternative to a traditional afternoon tea scone. They're packed full of delicious flavors like pumpkin, sage, and thyme, and are cheesy and fluffy thanks to nutritional yeast and dijon mustard.
Cheddar & Chives Scones
These cheddar and chive scones are savory and delicious, with a perfect blend of oniony chives and salty cheddar cheese. The end result is a savory combination that is perfect for any time of day.
Scone Flavors for Spring
Springtime brings with it a time for renewal, growth, and new beginnings. And with that comes lighter, more adventurous flavors - like floral elements and fresh berries.
These next few recipes are full of fresh flavors that are sure to get you in the mood for spring.
Lavender White Chocolate Scones
These delicious lavender white chocolate scones make the perfect afternoon snack. The delicate flavor of lavender pairs perfectly with the sweetness of white chocolate, making for a scone that's sure to please.
Lavender Lemon Scones with Honey Butter
Bring spring indoors with these fluffy, crumbly lavender lemon scones. Topped with creamy, sweet honey butter, they are the perfect compliment to your cup of tea or coffee.
Raspberry Almond Scones with Coffee Glaze
Made with fresh raspberries, almond meal, Raspberry Almond coffee, and almond paste, then drizzled with a delicious coffee glaze, these scones are packed with flavor.
Summer Scone Flavors
When it comes to summer treats, it's all about fruity flavors that taste like sunshine on a plate.
Whether you're craving tropical combinations like coconut and lime, bright citrus flavors like lemon, or summer fruits and berries, these next few scone recipes are the perfect choice for summer celebrations.
Strawberry Scones
Strawberry scones are simple to make and use ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen. The best part is that these scones are loaded with fresh strawberries, and topped with delicious coarse sugar, making them an amazing dessert or sweet treat!
Coconut Lime Scones
Bring the tropics to your kitchen with this delicious recipe for Coconut Lime Scones! These scones are moist, fluffy, and topped with a tart and sweet lime glaze. The perfect breakfast or snack for summer gatherings.
Berry Lemon Scones
These berry lemon scones are a bright and citrusy take on the classic treat that pairs perfectly with coffee, tea, hot chocolate, or mimosas for a fun and festive afternoon snack.
Coconut Scones Recipe
Looking for a delicious breakfast scone that's packed with summer flavor? You're going to love these easy coconut scones! They're buttery and flaky, with a perfect amount of sweetness and creaminess from the coconut.
Fresh Cherry Scones
These Fresh Cherry Scones are the perfect way to start your day! They're light, fluffy, and full of sweet cherry flavor. A dusting of sugar on top adds a pretty sparkle that is sure to stand out on your tea tray.
Fresh Strawberry Buttermilk Scones
Fresh strawberry scones with buttermilk and lime zest are a fabulously sweet and tart treat that are pretty enough for any brunch or tea party.
Toasted Coconut and Lime Scones
Lime and coconut come together in sweet scones with crunchy graham cracker topping. This recipe includes lime zest in the dough, as well as the glaze, for an intense flavor that is truly irresistible.
Blueberry Lemon Scones
These Blueberry Lemon Scones are soft, fluffy, and packed with fruity flavor. They make a delicious addition to any occasion - from Mother's Day brunch, to afternoon tea, or even holiday gatherings.
Scone Flavors for Fall
As the weather cools down, it's time to start baking some delicious scones with warmer flavors - including nuts, warm spices, and seasonal fruits. Here are four of our favorite fall and winter scone recipes
Easy Pumpkin Scones Recipe
These sweet and fluffy pumpkin scones are full of fall flavor. The addition of a simple icing makes them an irresistible addition to your next gathering.
Light and Flakey Brown Butter Pecan Scones with Vanilla Drizzle
These Brown Butter Pecan Scones with Vanilla Drizzle are the perfect breakfast or brunch treat! Thanks to the browned butter, they're full of nutty flavor with a sweet vanilla icing that takes them completely over the top.
The BEST Maple Blueberry Scones
Maple Blueberry Scones are sweetened with maple syrup for a light, fluffy scone that is still perfectly moist. Topped with a delicious glaze, you'll definitely be coming back for more.
Seckel Pear & Pistachio Scones
These delicious Seckel Pear & Pistachio Scones make the perfect brunch option for a fall or winter gathering! They're flavorful, yet easy to make, and are sure to please both sweet and savory eaters alike.
As a hostess, it’s always a good idea to have a variety of foods to share with your guests. That could be a whole buffet full of different scone flavors, or a classic scone with plenty of toppings. Either way, it’s important to make sure you satisfy all of your guests’ needs and desires.
With these 35+ scrumptious scone flavors, there’s sure to be something for everyone on your guest list – from the keto dieter to the sweet fiend.
If you need help deciding which one might be best suited for your event, think about what other foods will be served and try to complement them. For example, if you’re having a light brunch, then something like the raspberry scone would be a great option. If you’re looking for an afternoon tea snack in the wintertime, then the walnut oat scone would be delicious.
Or you can go ahead and try them all – we’re pretty sure you won’t be disappointed!
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