The Ultimate Fall Treat: Irresistible Apple Cinnamon Scones Recipe
There’s an undeniable magic in the air when autumn arrives. The crispness of the morning, the vibrant tapestry of changing leaves, and the comforting aroma of spices filling the kitchen – it all signals a shift towards cozy baking. While I admit a certain sadness to bid farewell to the carefree days of summer, October truly is one of my most cherished months of the year. It’s a season of transition, where the light, fresh produce of summer gracefully gives way to the hearty bounty of fall harvests. And nothing embodies this seasonal shift quite like a batch of warm, fragrant Apple Cinnamon Scones.
These aren’t just any scones; they are a celebration of fall in every single bite. Each scone is generously packed with tender chunks of crisp apples, enriched with the subtle sweetness and moisture of applesauce, and generously spiced with warm, inviting cinnamon. They are truly the quintessential autumn breakfast, brunch treat, or afternoon pick-me-up. Imagine waking up to the smell of these baking, or enjoying one with a steaming cup of coffee or tea on a cool afternoon. Pure bliss!
Embracing the Apple Harvest: A Journey into Fall Baking
A few weeks ago, I found myself at my favorite roadside stand, captivated by the sight of freshly picked Gala apples. I simply couldn’t resist buying a whole box, and we’ve been enjoying them in countless ways ever since. My boys, with their endless appetites, have been munching on several a day. I also made a big batch of homemade slow cooker spiced applesauce, which is fantastic on its own or as a secret ingredient in other recipes. Beyond the fresh fruit, the apples have inspired a flurry of baking projects, including a classic apple crisp and a decadent mile-high apple pie. The versatility of apples during this season is simply unparalleled.
One particular morning last week, a sudden craving for scones struck. The kind of craving that demands immediate attention. With the abundance of fresh apples and homemade applesauce at hand, inspiration hit, and within just 30 minutes, these incredible Apple Cinnamon Scones were born. The beauty of scones is their relatively quick preparation time, allowing you to indulge in a freshly baked treat without an all-day commitment. This recipe, adapted from the trusted experts at King Arthur Flour, truly delivers on that promise of speed and deliciousness.
Why These Apple Cinnamon Scones Stand Out
What makes these Apple Cinnamon Scones so special? It’s the delightful combination of textures and flavors that truly sets them apart. They are absolutely bursting with a rich, authentic apple flavor, thanks to a dual-apple approach. We incorporate both crisp, finely diced fresh apples, which provide a lovely textural contrast and bright fruity notes, and a generous half-cup of unsweetened applesauce. The applesauce not only deepens the apple flavor but also adds a fantastic amount of moisture, ensuring the scones are tender and never dry. A spoonful of warm ground cinnamon ties all these elements together, infusing the scones with that quintessential fall spice aroma and taste.
Another fantastic aspect of this recipe is the flexibility it offers for finishing touches. You can certainly bake the scones and serve them just as they are – they’ll be delicious! However, if you’re like me and love a little extra something, you have a couple of irresistible options. Before popping them into the oven, you can sprinkle the tops with a mixture of cinnamon-sugar for a sweet, caramelized crust. Alternatively, after baking, you can drizzle the warm scones with a simple, yet utterly delectable, cinnamon glaze. Or, for the ultimate indulgence, you can follow my lead and do both! A sprinkle of cinnamon-sugar before baking, followed by a sweet cinnamon glaze once they’ve cooled slightly, creates an unparalleled flavor and texture experience.
Mastering the Art of Scone Making: Tips for Success
Baking scones might seem intimidating to some, but with a few key techniques, you can achieve perfect results every time. These Apple Cinnamon Scones are no exception. Here are some essential tips to ensure your scones turn out flaky, tender, and incredibly flavorful:
Cold Butter is Key
Just like with pie crusts and biscuits, using very cold butter is crucial for light, flaky scones. The cold butter creates steam pockets as it melts in the oven, which helps the dough rise and separate into layers. Cut your butter into small cubes and, if your kitchen is warm, you can even pop the cubed butter back into the freezer for a few minutes before incorporating it into the dry ingredients.
Don’t Overmix the Dough
Overmixing is the enemy of tender scones. Once you combine the wet and dry ingredients, mix just until they come together into a “shaggy” dough. A few streaks of flour are perfectly fine. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, leading to tough, chewy scones rather than light and tender ones. Gentle handling is key here.
The Importance of Chilling
Chilling the shaped scone wedges in the freezer for 30 minutes before baking serves a couple of important purposes. Firstly, it ensures the butter stays very cold, maximizing the flakiness. Secondly, it helps the scones hold their shape better during baking, preventing them from spreading out too much and maintaining that lovely tall structure.
baking tip:The Difference Between Biscuits and Scones
While often used interchangeably or confused, biscuits and scones, though similar in preparation and enjoyment, possess distinct characteristics. Both are quick breads made with flour, fat, and a leavening agent, and both are known for their delightful crumbly texture. However, the nuances lie in their ingredients and resulting texture.
Scones are typically richer, often incorporating eggs and/or heavy cream, which contribute to their distinctive taste and texture. Due to this higher liquid content, scones tend to be denser and can have a more cake-like consistency. They are commonly associated with sweetness and often feature fruits, nuts, or glazes, making them a popular choice for breakfast, afternoon tea, or dessert.
Biscuits, on the other hand, are renowned for being soft, fluffy, and incredibly flaky. They typically rely on milk or buttermilk as their primary liquid and often use a higher proportion of butter to flour compared to some scone recipes. This combination, along with specific folding techniques, helps create those desirable airy layers. While biscuits can be sweet (like shortcake biscuits), they are most famously known for their savory applications, often served alongside gravies, fried chicken, or used in breakfast sandwiches.
Understanding these subtle differences allows you to appreciate each baked good for its unique qualities and to choose the perfect recipe for your craving. Both are comforting and delicious, but they offer distinct culinary experiences.
Customizing Your Scones: Toppings and Glazes
One of the joys of baking is the ability to customize. These Apple Cinnamon Scones offer wonderful opportunities for personalization with their toppings. As mentioned, a simple sprinkle of cinnamon sugar before baking creates a beautifully caramelized, crunchy top layer that adds another dimension of flavor and texture. The sugar melts slightly and crisps up, providing a satisfying contrast to the tender scone interior. For an even more decadent finish, or if you prefer a smoother sweetness, the cinnamon glaze is an absolute must. Made with powdered sugar, a touch of cinnamon, and a splash of milk or cream, it drizzles beautifully over the warm scones, setting into a delicate, sweet coating. You can adjust the consistency of the glaze by adding more or less milk/cream until it reaches your desired thickness. Don’t be shy – try both for a truly unforgettable scone experience!
Serving Suggestions for Your Homemade Scones
These Apple Cinnamon Scones are incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in various ways throughout the day. They are, of course, a perfect companion to your morning coffee or tea, making any breakfast feel like a special occasion. For a more elaborate brunch, serve them alongside fresh fruit, yogurt, or even a savory egg dish to balance the sweetness. In the afternoon, they make an excellent snack with a hot cup of apple cider or a glass of milk. If you’re feeling extra indulgent, a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream can elevate a warm scone into a delightful dessert. While best served fresh on the day they are baked, any leftover scones can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for several days and gently reheated for a quick treat.
Apple Cinnamon Scones
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Ingredients
For the Scones:
- 2 ¾ cup all-purpose flour (330 grams)
- ⅓ cup packed light or dark brown sugar (70 grams)
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup unsalted butter , cold and cubed (1 stick, 113 grams)
- ¾ cup small dice fresh apple , peeled (85 grams)
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce (120 grams)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Topping:
- 1 large egg + 1 tablespoon water ,for egg wash
- 3 tablespoons coarse or sparkling sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Icing:
- 1 cup powdered sugar , sifted (113 grams)
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1-2 tablespoons milk or cream
Instructions
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Combine the flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and cinnamon in a bowl. Add the cold, cubed butter and cut into the dry ingredients with a pastry blender or fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the diced fresh apples.
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In a separate bowl, whisk together the applesauce, eggs, and vanilla extract until well combined. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix gently with a spoon or your hands until a shaggy dough forms. Be careful not to overmix.
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Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured, clean surface. Gently knead with your hands just a few times, enough to bring the dough together into a cohesive ball.
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Divide the dough in half. Shape each half into a round disk, approximately 1 to 2 inches thick. Using a sharp knife or a bench scraper, cut each disk into 6 wedges, similar to how you would cut a pie.
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Carefully transfer the scone wedges to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving a little space between each scone.
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Place the baking sheet with the scones into the freezer and chill for at least 30 minutes. While the scones are chilling, preheat your oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
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In a small bowl, whisk together the large egg and 1 tablespoon of water to create an egg wash. Lightly brush the tops of the chilled scones with the egg wash. In another small bowl, combine the coarse or sparkling sugar with the ground cinnamon, then sprinkle this mixture generously over the tops of the scones.
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Bake the scones in the preheated oven for approximately 15 to 20 minutes, or until their tops are golden brown and a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
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While the scones are baking or cooling, prepare the icing. In a medium bowl, combine the sifted powdered sugar, ¼ teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and 1 tablespoon of milk or cream. Whisk until smooth. If the icing is too thick, add more milk or cream a teaspoon at a time until you reach your desired drizzling consistency. Drizzle the icing over warm or cooled scones. Allow the icing to set for about 15 minutes before serving.
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These Apple Cinnamon Scones are truly best enjoyed on the day they are baked, when their texture is at its peak. However, if you have any leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For best results, gently warm them in a microwave or oven before serving.
Notes
There’s nothing quite like the comforting embrace of fall, and these Apple Cinnamon Scones are the perfect way to welcome the season into your kitchen and your heart. Their tender crumb, sweet apple chunks, and fragrant cinnamon spice create a truly unforgettable baking experience. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting your culinary journey, this recipe offers a straightforward path to creating a beloved autumnal treat that will surely become a staple in your household. So grab your apron, gather your apples, and get ready to fill your home with the delightful aroma of homemade Apple Cinnamon Scones. Happy baking!