Easy Apple Cinnamon Scones Recipe

This apple scones recipe is exactly what you need for fall mornings! These buttery scones are full of soft apple chunks and cinnamon and taste just like a warm apple pie. Enjoy warm scones right out of the oven or save for an afternoon snack! 

Apple Scone Recipe

Apples are the perfect fruit for fall and if you love the smell of apples and warm spices, or freshly baked apple pie, then this is the recipe for you. Fall is the time for cozy sweaters and cozy treats too and these delicious scones go so well with morning coffee or tea and are a great snack to bring along for a hike or leaf-peeping trips! Full of apple flavor and buttery scone dough These received rave reviews from all of our taste testers! 

If this is your first time making scones don't be nervous. Check out my Master Scone Recipe to get started. It has helpful tips for making any scone recipe. Scones are really easy to make and I will walk you through them step by step so you will have a nice, fluffy, and tender scone, one that will rival any coffee shop!

Tools for baking

Before we start to make our homemade scones, it is a great idea to prep our work area with the ingredients and items we will be using. Here are my go-to baking tools I use for every batch of perfect scones.

• Pastry blender we mention this item with every single recipe because it is THE item that will ensure a fluffy outcome for your scones. You can use 2 knives or your hands, but a pastry blender or pastry cutter is best.
• Parchment paper a baking sheet lined with parchment paper is not only great for non-stick baking, but it is also awesome for easy cleanup! No pan scrubbing is needed!
• Mixing bowl should be a large mixing bowl if you want to make this a one-bowl recipe! I mix and knead the scone dough right in the bowl before turning it out onto a floured surface. 

Secret to Making Good Scones

First, let's go over THREE VERY IMPORTANT THINGS you MUST DO to ensure a perfect flaky scone:

1. Preheat your oven to 425 degrees for at least 20 minutes before baking. A hot oven will help your scones rise tall instead of being flat.
2. Make sure you're using COLD butter. It does not matter if you use cold unsalted butter or salted butter, but it MUST BE COLD. As the butter melts it will allow for air to create flaky scones
3. Minimal handling of the dough. The more you knead the scone dough, the tougher it becomes and you will end up with a flat, hard scone.

Scone ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Brown sugar
• Granulated sugar
• Baking powder
• Corn starch
• Cinnamon
• Salt
• Vanilla bean paste (optional) 
• Vanilla extract
• Chilled butter, cut into small pieces
• Half-and-half, plus 1 tablespoon
• Fresh apples

How to Make Apple Cinnamon Scones Recipe

Grab your cup of coffee or tea and get this tender apple cinnamon scone ready and into the oven. Soon you will be enjoying nice warm and tender scones!

As I mentioned above in the Baking tips section, it is important to preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Be sure to do this at least 20 minutes before you intend to bake. This is great timing while preparing the cooked apples. 

After setting the oven to preheat, it is time to prepare the apples so they can cool a little bit before adding to the scone dough. 

​Steps for Cooked Apples

1. Peel apples and chop apples into bite-sized pieces. You can use granny smith apples for tart apple flavor or a sweet apple, like Macintosh. Whatever your taste preference is. 

2. In a frying pan over medium heat, add 2 Tablespoons of butter and allow it to melt. 

3. Once butter is melted, add 1 teaspoon of brown sugar, 2 Tablespoons of granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, and 1 teaspoon of cornstarch. Stir to combine.

4. Add chunks of apple to the warm butter mixture and stir well, to coat the apples. 

5. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the apples are soft and tender, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat to cool. 

Scone Prep

We are going to mix our dry ingredients first. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. 

Now, in the flour mixture, we are going to cut in the cold cubed butter with a pastry blender or two knives until it resembles coarse crumbs. You should see lumps of butter and that is exactly what you want.

Next, we are going to add our wet ingredients. With a rubber spatula, stir in 2/3 cup half-and-half until just moistened. If you only have heavy cream That is ok too. Add in your vanilla extract, and vanilla bean paste (optional) and gently stir.

Before kneading the dough, gently fold in the cooked apples. 

On a lightly floured surface, knead dough gently 5 to 10 times and pat it into a 1-inch thick round disc shape.

With a sharp knife or bench scraper, cut into 8 wedges and transfer dough triangle shape onto a prepared baking sheet 2- inches apart. I can usually fit all eight on a large baking sheet.

With a pastry brush, brush tops of individual scones with 1 Tablespoon half-and-half, and sprinkle each top with cinnamon sugar for a little extra sweetness.

Place scones in the oven on the middle rack.

Bake until golden brown, which is about 12 to 15 minutes.

Cool on wire rack.

Serve warm scone with your cup of hot tea or coffee!

If you have any leftover scones, store them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months, or you can keep them on the counter at room temperature loosely covered with a sheet of plastic wrap.

Ingredient substitutions to make vegan apple scones

Flour– you can easily make these scones gluten-free by substituting the all-purpose flour with a one-for-one gluten-free flour. You can use Bob's Red Mill or my favorite King Arthur brand, which you can find in most grocery stores.

Butter– I like baking with Nature Balance vegan sticks. Place in the freezer to ensure it is super cold because this tends to be a little softer than regular butter. Cut into small cubes before cutting into flour mixture. 

Half and Half- You can use any soy milk, oat milk, or almond milk in place of cream. If you have the coffee-creamer version, that is even better. 

Other scone easy recipes you should try: Lemon blueberry scones, Best cranberry scones, fresh peach scones, fresh strawberry scones, cinnamon chip scones, carrot cake scones

Apple Pie Scones

The combination of sweet apples and warm cinnamon make this special treat full of flaky layers the perfect way to enjoy as a quick breakfast or served at afternoon tea. For double the flavor, this would taste great with a nice hot apple cider too! The only thing this crazy good baked goods recipe is missing is the pie crust! 

Top FAQ

What Does Adding Egg Do To Scones?

Adding an egg to scones helps to bind ingredients together. Some seem to think that it adds richness to the flavor, however, I found I have the best results when I don't add an egg. That's why our buttery scones are full of layers and super flaky. 

What is the Best Temp For Baking Scones? 

Setting the oven at 425 degrees I have found to be the best temperature for baking our easy scones recipe. As mentioned in our baking tips sections, it is important to bake your scones in a preheated, hot oven.

This helps to release steam from the butter when baking creating layers of tender scone.  

Treat yourself and others to this delicious baked apple treat! Scones make a lovely addition to any breakfast or brunch table.