Chai Scones Recipe

A cup of chai tea is known for its comforting and aromatic qualities. The combination of spices, tea, and milk creates a beverage that is enjoyed worldwide. Imagine making a delicious baked treat with the flavors of your favorite chai tea latte into scones.

This is an easy scone recipe and the smell of the chai spice blend is so amazing you will have a hard time waiting for these to come out of the oven! They are one of our favorite flavors from this holiday season. 

Tools For Baking

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

Other Scone Recipes to Try: Maple Walnut, Cinnamon Scones, Snickerdoodle Scones, Earl Grey Tea Scones, Gingerbread Scones

The Perfect Chai Spice Scones Recipe

The assortment of spices that make up chai flavors are warm and earthy and create one of our favorite scones. I will be sure to make these more often, especially during the fall season.

For best results, I would use the spice mixture below, as tea bags from Trader Joe's Chai tea or Bigelow's Vanilla Chai may have too much spice flavor. They make for a great hot cup of tea but could be a little bit strong when used in baking. By all means, experiment and see which version you like better! 

Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Sugar
• Baking powder
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground cardamom
• Ground cloves
• Ground ginger
• Vanilla extract
• Salt
• Cold butter, cut into small cubes
• Half and half

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, spices, and salt. Add cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or two knives in scissor fashion to cut into the dry ingredients until the flour mixture resembles coarse bread crumbs.

3. Pour in wet ingredients, half and half, and vanilla extract and gently mix until just combined (do not over-mix). The dough should be soft but not sticky – if it is too sticky add more flour (1/4 cup at a time) as needed until it comes together easily.

4. Transfer dough onto a lightly floured work surface and knead gently for about 30 seconds until everything comes together. Pat into an 8-inch circle that is about 1 inch thick. Cut into 8 wedges using a knife or bench scraper and place on the parchment-lined cookie sheet. 

5. Brush tops of the scones with half and half and a dusting of sugar. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown on top. 

6. Let cool on a wire rack.

Creative Chai Scones Additions

• Chocolate Chips
• Dried Fruits
• Nuts
• Espresso Powder

What Can I Serve With Chai Scones

The Right Tea

When it comes to teatime, nothing pairs better with a warm scone than a hot cup of black tea. Chai scones are no exception! Teas such as Assam, Darjeeling, or Masala Chai provide the perfect accompaniment to your freshly baked treat. These teas will perfectly complement the subtle spices and sweetness of your flaky scones.

Spreads and Toppings

Some various spreads and toppings complement the flavor profile of chai scones and would be fun to try.

• Clotted cream or yogurt
• Honey 
• Maple Syrup
• Espresso Glaze
• Nut butters

How Do I Store My Scones

Chai scones are delicious the day they are baked and can be enjoyed for a few days or longer with proper storage. Keep baked scones on a plate covered with plastic wrap for up to 3 days. If you want to store them in the freezer, add them to an airtight container or freezer bag and place them in the freezer for up to 3 months. Bring frozen scones to room temperature or heat in the microwave for 20 seconds and enjoy!