If you have a soft spot for warm, fluffy treats that are both hearty and indulgent, you will absolutely adore this Vegan Scones Recipe. These scones are a perfect blend of tender crumb and light flakiness, all made without any animal products. Whether you’re cozying up with a cup of tea or serving guests at brunch, these scones bring a delightful homemade touch that’s simply irresistible. They’re easy to make, packed with comforting flavors, and just what you need to brighten any morning or afternoon.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Creating the perfect scones is all about balancing simple, essential ingredients that work together to create amazing texture and flavor. Each component plays a special role, whether it’s the buttery richness, a touch of sweetness, or the fluffiness from proper leavening.
- Vegan buttermilk: Adds tang and moisture, critical for tenderizing the dough.
- Vegan Greek-style yogurt (or vegan sour cream/coconut yogurt): Provides creaminess and a subtle tang that enhances flavor.
- Vanilla extract: Brings a warm aromatic note that complements the sweet and buttery elements.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation of structure, allowing the scones to rise just right.
- Baking powder: The leavening agent that gives these scones their fluffy lift.
- Sea salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
- Vegan butter (cold and cubed): Essential for that flaky, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Granulated sugar: Adds just the right amount of sweetness without overpowering.
- Non-dairy milk: Used for brushing to create a beautiful golden glaze.
- Maple syrup: Adds a delicate sweetness and helps the scones brown perfectly.
How to Make Vegan Scones Recipe
Step 1: Chill Your Wet Ingredients
Start by whisking together the vegan buttermilk, vegan Greek-style yogurt, and vanilla extract in a jug or medium bowl. The secret to tender scones lies in keeping these wet components ice cold, so pop the mix into the freezer for 10 minutes until frosty. This chilled mixture will work beautifully when combined with the flour and butter, ensuring your scones have that perfect crumb.
Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients and Rub in Butter
While your wet mix chills, sift the flour, baking powder, and sea salt into a large bowl. Add the cold, cubed vegan butter right on top and use your fingertips to rub it into the flour until you get a lovely crumbly texture. This process creates those delightful buttery pockets inside the scones. Stir in the granulated sugar evenly for a subtle, sweet finish in every bite.
Step 3: Make the Dough
Create a well in the center of your dry ingredients and pour in the ice-cold wet mix. Gently combine everything with a spatula until the dough just comes together—it should be sticky and tacky, not dry. This stage is crucial to keeping the scones light and fluffy, so take care not to overwork the dough.
Step 4: Fold and Shape the Dough
Lightly flour your work surface and turn the sticky dough out. Use a pastry scraper to shape it into a rectangle, then fold it over itself three times, pressing down gently after each fold. This folding technique builds layers without the fuss of rolling, creating tender, flaky scones with little effort. Finally, press the dough to about 1 ½ inches thick for perfect rises.
Step 5: Cut Out Your Scones
Dust a 2.5-inch cookie cutter with flour and press it straight down into the dough—avoid twisting to keep the edges sharp. Carefully lift each cut scone and place it on a parchment-lined baking tray, spacing them 1-2 centimeters apart. Gather any scraps, fold gently, and repeat until all the dough is used up.
Step 6: Chill Before Baking
Pop your whole tray of scones into the fridge for 30 minutes to chill. This step helps the butter firm up again and lets the dough relax, giving you beautifully risen, tender scones after baking.
Step 7: Preheat and Prepare for Baking
Preheat your oven to 200°C/390°F for fan-forced, or 220°C/430°F for conventional ovens. Meanwhile, mix the non-dairy milk and maple syrup to create an eggwash alternative—this will give your scones a gorgeous shiny, golden finish.
Step 8: Bake to Perfection
Brush the tops of your chilled scones gently with the maple milk glaze, avoiding sides for optimal crispness. Bake them in the center of the oven for 14-15 minutes until beautifully risen and golden on top. The aroma alone will fill your kitchen with inviting warmth!
How to Serve Vegan Scones Recipe
Garnishes
These scones shine best with classic garnishes like a generous spread of vegan butter or a dollop of fruit jam. Fresh berries or a smear of vegan clotted cream can take your serving experience to a whole new level—inviting your taste buds to dance with delight in every bite.
Side Dishes
Pair your scones with a steamy cup of herbal tea or freshly brewed coffee for a cozy, comforting break. If you want to make your snack a light meal, a fresh fruit salad or a bowl of warming plant-based soup complements the scones beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For entertaining, slice scones in half and layer them with vegan cream cheese and cucumber slices or mashed avocado for a savory twist. You could even try sweet fillings like lemon curd or coconut cream with toasted coconut flakes for a tropical surprise. The possibilities for elevating this Vegan Scones Recipe are endless!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
These scones are best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers, store them in a sealed ziplock bag or airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate them for up to 5 days to keep them moist and fresh.
Freezing
You can freeze your scone dough before baking to save time on busy mornings. After shaping and chilling the scones, arrange them side by side (not stacked) on a tray, freeze, then transfer to an airtight container with parchment in between to prevent sticking. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the bake time when ready.
Reheating
Reheat your scones in a preheated oven at 160°C/320°F for about 5 minutes. This refreshes their warmth and texture beautifully, reviving the crispy tops and soft centers just like freshly baked.
FAQs
Can I use other types of plant-based yogurt in this Vegan Scones Recipe?
Absolutely! Vegan sour cream, coconut yogurt, or any plant-based yogurt that has a creamy consistency works well. Just make sure it isn’t too runny to keep the scone dough firm enough.
What if I don’t have vegan butter on hand?
While vegan butter is ideal for that flaky texture, you can substitute with solid coconut oil, but be mindful it may add a slight coconut flavor. Avoid using oils that are liquid at room temperature, as they won’t create the same flakiness.
Why is chilling the dough important in this recipe?
Chilling helps the fat solidify and relaxes the gluten in the flour, which prevents tough scones and promotes flaky, tender results. Skipping this step can cause the scones to spread and lose their proper texture.
Can I add mix-ins like dried fruit or nuts?
Yes! Feel free to fold in raisins, dried cranberries, chopped nuts, or even dark vegan chocolate chips before shaping the dough. Add about 100 grams of mix-ins, but be careful not to overwork the dough when incorporating them.
How do I make vegan buttermilk for this recipe?
Simply mix one tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice with one cup of your preferred non-dairy milk and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. This homemade vegan buttermilk is perfect for tenderizing your scones.
Final Thoughts
This Vegan Scones Recipe is a wonderful treat that brings together simplicity, comfort, and deliciousness in every bite. Once you try baking these at home, they’ll quickly become your go-to for brunch or an afternoon snack. Don’t hesitate—grab your ingredients, get cozy in the kitchen, and make a batch you and your loved ones will cherish!
Print
Vegan Scones Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Delicious vegan scones that are tender and flaky, made with vegan buttermilk and plant-based ingredients. Perfect for a comforting breakfast or afternoon tea, these scones are easy to prepare and bake to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 batch vegan buttermilk
- 100 g vegan Greek-style yogurt (or vegan sour cream/coconut yogurt)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon non-dairy milk
- 1 ½ teaspoons maple syrup
Dry Ingredients
- 480 g all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- 60 g granulated sugar
Fat
- 100 g vegan butter (block-style, cold and cubed)
Instructions
- Chill wet ingredients: In a jug or medium bowl, whisk together the vegan buttermilk, vegan Greek-style yogurt, and vanilla extract. Place the mixture in the freezer for 10 minutes until it is very cold.
- Make the dough: Sift the flour, baking powder, and sea salt into a large mixing bowl. Add the cold cubed vegan butter. Use your fingertips to rub the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the granulated sugar.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the ice-cold vegan buttermilk mixture. Use a spatula to gently bring the dough together, forming a sticky and tacky dough.
- Shape the dough: Lightly flour your work surface and turn out the dough. Use a pastry scraper to form the dough into a rectangle. Fold one side of the rectangle over the other, press down, and repeat this folding process three times, pressing the dough to approximately 1½ inches thick.
- Cut out the scones: Lightly dust a 2.5-inch cookie cutter with flour. Cut shapes by pressing straight down without twisting, then carefully lift out the scones. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet about 1-2 cm apart. Gather and refold any remaining dough and repeat until all scones are cut.
- Chill the dough: Refrigerate the shaped scones for 30 minutes to firm up before baking.
- Preheat oven: Set fan-forced oven to 200°C (390°F) or conventional oven to 220°C (430°F).
- Prepare eggwash: Mix non-dairy milk and maple syrup together. Brush this mixture lightly over the tops of the chilled scones.
- Bake: Bake the scones in the center of the preheated oven for 14-15 minutes until they have risen nicely and are golden on top.
- Storage & serving: Best enjoyed fresh, but can be stored at room temperature in a sealed container for 1-2 days or refrigerated for up to 5 days. Reheat in a preheated oven at 160°C (320°F) for 5 minutes before serving.
- Freezing instructions: After shaping, chill scones for 30-60 minutes, then freeze on a tray lined with parchment paper without stacking. Transfer to an airtight container or ziplock bag for storage. Bake from frozen, adding a few minutes more to the baking time as needed.
Notes
- Use cold vegan butter and keep it cubed to achieve flaky layers.
- Do not twist the cookie cutter when cutting out scones to ensure they rise evenly.
- Refrigerating the dough before baking helps scones retain their shape and develop a tender texture.
- Non-dairy milk and maple syrup eggwash adds a shiny glaze without animal ingredients.
- Freezing scones before baking preserves freshness and allows for easy baking on demand.
