Soft, fluffy, and perfectly golden, these High Rise Scones have a light, airy crumb that makes them ideal for breakfast or a delightful afternoon tea. The recipe is quick, easy, and yields a batch of beautifully risen scones that will have everyone reaching for seconds.
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
¾ cup heavy cream
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon milk (for brushing)
Optional: ½ cup dried fruit or chocolate chips
(Tip: You'll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
Cut the cold butter into the dry ingredients using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized butter pieces.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, egg, and vanilla extract.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture and stir gently until just combined. If adding dried fruit or chocolate chips, fold them in now.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead it a few times to bring it together.
Pat the dough into a round disk, about 1-inch thick. Using a sharp knife, cut the dough into 8 wedges.
Transfer the wedges to the prepared baking sheet, spacing them a little apart. Brush the tops with milk.
Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the scones are golden brown and have risen nicely.
Let them cool slightly before serving, or enjoy warm with jam and cream.
Servings and Timing
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 15-18 minutes
Total Time: 25-28 minutes
Servings: 8 scones
Variations
I like to mix things up by adding dried fruit or chocolate chips to the dough. You can also experiment with other flavorings like lemon zest or cinnamon. For a richer flavor, try substituting the vanilla extract with almond extract, or add a sprinkle of coarse sugar on top before baking for a little extra crunch.
Storage/Reheating
These scones are best enjoyed fresh out of the oven, but if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To reheat, simply pop them in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5 minutes, or until warmed through. You can also freeze the scones for up to 1 month. To reheat from frozen, bake them at 350°F (175°C) for 10-12 minutes.
FAQs
How can I make my scones fluffier?
To make your scones extra fluffy, I make sure to handle the dough as little as possible. The less I knead it, the lighter the scones will be. It’s also essential to use cold butter and heavy cream to achieve that perfect rise.
Can I make these scones ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dough ahead of time, shape it into wedges, and freeze them. When you're ready to bake, simply place the frozen scones on a baking sheet and bake them from frozen at 400°F for 20-25 minutes.
What other mix-ins can I add to the scone dough?
Apart from dried fruit or chocolate chips, I love adding nuts like walnuts or pecans. You could also try mixing in some grated cheese for savory scones, or swap the sugar for honey for a different flavor profile.
Why did my scones turn out flat?
Scones can turn out flat if the dough was overworked or the oven wasn’t hot enough. Be sure to handle the dough gently and avoid overmixing. It’s also crucial to preheat the oven fully before baking.
Can I make these scones without heavy cream?
Heavy cream helps give the scones a rich texture and flavor, but if I don’t have any, I’ve successfully replaced it with a mix of half milk and half melted butter as a substitute.
Conclusion
These high-rise scones are an absolute treat that combines the perfect balance of texture and flavor. Whether served for breakfast, as a snack, or during afternoon tea, they’re bound to become a favorite in your baking repertoire. The versatility of this recipe allows for endless variations, making it easy to customize for any occasion. Happy baking!
Recipe:

High Rise Scones
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- Author: Cheryl
- Total Time: 25-28 minutes
- Yield: 8 scones
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Soft, fluffy, and perfectly golden, these high-rise scones have a light, airy crumb that makes them ideal for breakfast or a delightful afternoon tea.
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
¾ cup heavy cream
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon milk (for brushing)
Optional: ½ cup dried fruit or chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Cut the cold butter into the dry ingredients using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized butter pieces.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, egg, and vanilla extract.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture and stir gently until just combined. If adding dried fruit or chocolate chips, fold them in now.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead it a few times to bring it together.
- Pat the dough into a round disk, about 1-inch thick. Using a sharp knife, cut the dough into 8 wedges.
- Transfer the wedges to the prepared baking sheet, spacing them a little apart. Brush the tops with milk.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the scones are golden brown and have risen nicely.
- Let them cool slightly before serving, or enjoy warm with jam and cream.
Notes
For fluffier scones, handle the dough as little as possible and use cold butter and heavy cream.
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To reheat, bake at 300°F for 5 minutes.
You can freeze the scones for up to 1 month. To reheat from frozen, bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes.
Customize your scones with nuts, grated cheese, or swap the sugar for honey for a different flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-18 minutes
- Category: Baked Goods
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 scone
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 40mg