Ingredients
Scale
To make these delicious Spiced Apple Dessert Scones, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup heavy cream (plus extra for brushing)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 medium apple (preferably Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and finely chopped
- ¼ cup brown sugar (for sprinkling on top, optional)
- ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
- A pinch of cinnamon sugar for topping (optional)
Ingredient Highlights for Spiced Apple Dessert Scones
- Flour: All-purpose flour forms the base of these scones, providing structure and texture. It’s essential to use flour that’s properly sifted for the best results.
- Butter: The cold butter is key to creating the flaky texture in these scones. As the butter melts during baking, it creates layers in the dough, making the scones tender and light.
- Spices: Cinnamon and nutmeg are the warm spices that give these scones their cozy, comforting flavor, enhancing the apples and making them perfect for fall or winter baking.
- Apple: A fresh apple adds sweetness, moisture, and texture. The tartness of Granny Smith apples contrasts nicely with the sweetness of the brown sugar and the spices.
- Heavy Cream: Heavy cream helps bind the dough together and provides a richer texture than regular milk, giving the scones a softer crumb.
Instructions
Preparing the Scone Dough:
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. This ensures the spices and leavening agents are evenly distributed throughout the flour.
- Cut in the Butter: Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized pieces of butter. This step is crucial for creating the flaky texture in the scones.
- Add Wet Ingredients: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the egg, heavy cream, and vanilla extract. Pour this mixture into the dry ingredients and gently stir with a spatula or wooden spoon until the dough begins to come together. Be careful not to overmix the dough—this will make the scones tough.
- Incorporate the Apples and Nuts: Gently fold in the finely chopped apple and nuts (if using). Mix until evenly distributed throughout the dough. If the dough feels too sticky, add a little more flour until it is manageable.
- Shape the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Press the dough into a round shape, about 1 inch thick. Use a sharp knife to cut the dough into 8-10 wedges, like a pizza.
Baking the Scones:
- Brush with Cream: Place the scone wedges on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the tops with a little extra heavy cream to help them brown and develop a golden finish during baking. You can also sprinkle the tops with a little brown sugar and cinnamon sugar for an added touch of sweetness and crunch.
- Bake the Scones: Bake in the preheated oven for 18-22 minutes, or until the scones are golden brown and cooked through. You can test the doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of a scone—it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool: Once baked, remove the scones from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack for a few minutes before serving.
Serve and Enjoy:
- Serve: These Spiced Apple Dessert Scones are best enjoyed warm, straight out of the oven. Serve them on their own or with a dollop of clotted cream, jam, or honey for extra indulgence.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8-10
- Calories: 230-250
- Fat: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Protein: 3g