Funfetti Scones Recipe {Birthday Cake!}

Homemade Funfetti scones are full of rainbow sprinkles, white chocolate chips, and vanilla. They are the perfect birthday cake scones and can be made into mini scones to share with a crowd. Top with some vanilla glaze and extra sprinkles and you are ready for a party! 

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

Everyone always asks me “What is the secret to making a good scone?” and starting with the following steps is the answer: 

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
• Granulated sugar
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Vanilla extract
• Chilled butter, cut into small pieces
• Half-and-half, plus 1 tablespoon
• White chocolate chips (optional) 
• Rainbow sprinkles

How to Make Funfetti Scones

Grab your cup of coffee or tea ready and get these easy Funfetti scones into the oven and soon you will be enjoying a colorful treat!

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.

We are going to mix our dry ingredients first. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Add your colored sprinkles and white chocolate chips (optional) and stir.

Now, in the flour mixture, we are going to cut in the cold 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 stir.

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 (for large scones), and for smaller scones, cut each wedge into thirds (a total of 12 mini wedges) and transfer dough triangles onto a parchment-lined baking tray 2- inches apart. I can usually fit all on a large baking sheet.

With a pastry brush, brush the top of each scone with 1 Tablespoon half-and-half, and sprinkle each top with 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 a wire rack.

Serve plain or topped with a vanilla glaze with extra sprinkles on top! 

Vanilla Glaze Topping

1 cup confectioner sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 Tablespoon milk.

Combine all ingredients until a smooth consistency. If the mixture is too runny, add more powdered sugar 1 tablespoon at a time.

Storing Funfetti Sprinkle Scones

If you have any leftovers, store scones 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.

Other scone recipes you should try: Bisquick Scones, lemon scones, lemon lavender scones, raspberry white chocolate chip scones, fresh strawberry scones, carrot cake scones

What Does Adding Egg Do To Scones?

Adding an egg to scones helps to bind ingredients together. Some seem to think that it adds a 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.