Cinnamon Chip Scones
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Buttery, flaky, and tender scones that are full of sweet cinnamon flavor. The sweet crunch on top is the best part!
Forget everything you think you know about scones. Right now. All of it. Just throw it out the window.
If you’re one of those people who thinks scones are too hard, too bland, and too dry, I’m going to change your mind quickly about all of that.
Up until I started making American scones myself, I would totally agree with all of those descriptions.
It wasn’t until I saw a recipe for Meyer lemon-raspberry scones from Brown Eyed Baker that I realized scones could be full of flavor, oh-so-moist, and best of all sweet, and that’s how this recipe for cinnamon scones was born.
BRITISH SCONES VS AMERICAN SCONES
I actually did a little research and found that scones, in the British sense, are pretty bland. Those Brits load them up with butter or jam and that solves all of the problems.
Here in America? That just doesn’t fly.
Nope, we need to have all those goodies inside the scone, because who the heck wants those extra steps when butter and sugar and cinnamon are involved?
If you want to spread some goodness, you might as well just eat plain bread… And what’s the fun in that?
INGREDIENTS
For these cinnamon crunch scones, we have a bunch of very simple, very familiar ingredients.
You’ll need flour, both white and brown sugars, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, frozen butter, buttermilk, an egg, and cinnamon chips.
Now, a note about the cinnamon baking chips: they can be very difficult to find.
I usually find them at Walmart or Target in the fall/winter, and you can sometimes find them on Amazon. If you can’t find them at all, you can omit and still be left with delicious cinnamon scones! But if you can find them, let’s continue with them.
HOW TO MAKE CINNAMON SCONES
Let’s go over a couple things to make sure we’re on the same scone page and you get these easy cinnamon chip scones done perfectly.
USE FROZEN BUTTER FOR FLUFFINESS
First of all, you’ll want to use frozen butter, for the same reasons you want to use frozen butter when you make pie crust: when the frozen butter melts in the oven, it creates pockets of steam that keep the scones light and airy on the inside.
I freeze my butter for at least 30 minutes. You’ll want to grate the butter into your dry ingredients quickly with a cheese grater.
Once your butter is in, you’re going to cut it in with a pastry blender. If you don’t have a pastry blender, get one. It will change your baking life!
In the meantime, use a fork or two knives. Cut it in until it resembles coarse crumbs.
Then, it’s time for your liquids: one egg and a half a cup of buttermilk.
BUTTERMILK MAKES SCONES EXTRA MOIST
The buttermilk makes these scones so moist and it’s imperative to this recipe. If you don’t have buttermilk, make your own!
See my post about how to make your own buttermilk.
Once the liquids are in, mix as little as possible. You don’t want to overwork the gluten in your dough, otherwise your scones will end up dense and tough. That’s a sco-no (oh boy).
When your dry ingredients have just moistened, carefully stir in your cinnamon chips. I actually like to use my hands for this step so I can be sure I’m being delicate with everything.
SHAPE THE SCONE DOUGH
When your chips are fully mixed, you’ll dump everything out onto a silicone baking mat or parchment paper and form it all into a uniform disc about 8″ in diameter.
I use my bench scraper to use as a guide since it is 8″ long and what I use to cut my dough into the individual triangles.
If you don’t have something like this, use the sharpest knife you own, being careful not to tear your mat or the parchment sitting under your dough.
Once your disc is cut, sprinkle generously with a mix of cinnamon and sugar. This is where your crunchy top comes in– the high heat of the oven melts the sugar crystals and puts this beautiful, crispy layer of sweet and spicy right on top of your scone.
Once you sink your teeth through this crunchy layer, the inside will melt.in.your.mouth! It’s buttery, light, and tender, and every bite is full of luscious little cinnamon chips.
These scones are reminiscent of muffins, but a little more dense. They go perfectly with a cup of coffee, and are best served fresh from the oven.
If you’re having guests over for breakfast or brunch, this cinnamon scone recipe goes from ingredients in your pantry to the table in under 40 minutes.
That’s enough time to shake the sleepies out, spend 20 minutes sniffing the amazing aroma billowing from the kitchen, and prepare your palate for the scone that will change all opinions you thought you had about scones forever… Just remember to pop your butter in the freezer the night before!
Most importantly, don’t invite too many brunch guests over, because you’re going to find them very hard to share!
Love scones? Try more of my scone recipes: apple scones or orange poppy seed scones.
Cinnamon Chip Scones
Ingredients
- 2 and ¼ cups (270g) all-purpose flour be sure to measure properly
- ¼ cup + 1 Tablespoon (63g) granulated sugar divided
- ¼ cup (50g) firmly packed light or dark brown sugar
- 2 and ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon divided
- 6 Tablespoons (85g) unsalted butter frozen
- ½ cup (120mL) buttermilk
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup (120g) mini cinnamon chips1
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400ºF (204ºC). Line a large baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, ¼ cup (50g) of the granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and 1 teaspoon of the ground cinnamon.
- Quickly grate the frozen butter into the flour mixture.
- Using a pastry blender, a fork, or two knives, blend the butter into the flour until it resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and the egg. Pour this mixture evenly over the flour/butter mixture and blend together with a spatula until everything is just moist. Gently fold in the mini cinnamon chips, using your hands if necessary.
- With your hands, form the dough into a ball and transfer it to the prepared baking sheet. Press ball into an 8" disc and cut into 8 equal triangles with a sharp knife or bench scraper2. Sprinkle with a mix of remaining granulated sugar and ground cinnamon.
- Bake scones for 22-24 minutes or until edges start to brown. Remove from oven and allow to cool on baking sheet for a few minutes. Scones are best served immediately, but will stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days. Scones may be frozen up to 3 months. Defrost at room temperature and warm to preference before enjoying.
Notes
- Mini cinnamon chips: these can be really difficult to find, even during fall/winter seasons. I usually find them at Walmart or Target in the fall/winter, and you can sometimes find them on Amazon. If you can’t find them at all, you can omit and still be left with delicious cinnamon scones!
- Bench scraper: a bench scraper is my favorite way to cut scone dough.
Nutrition Disclosure
All nutritional values are approximate and provided to the reader as a courtesy. Changing ingredients and/or quantities will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.
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Oh man, you’re leaving me feeling so conflicted, because I looooove love love cinnamon and want to make them immediately, but I don’t like sweet scones. I like the bland, dry, crumbly ones — probably because I like them as a breakfast treat, and loathe all things sweet in the morning. These remind me of the cinnamon toast crunch of cereals, which also always made me sad because I wanted to love it (cinnamon!) but in reality couldn’t stand it (waaaaaaay too much sugar!).
Julie, I know what you mean. Breakfast for me should not be sweet (I think that comes from my childhood not being allowed the sweet cereals), but these really do just change all of that for me. Dunked in my coffee usually helps the situation! Or… Having this for second breakfast 🙂
I love scones of all kinds! My mother and grandmother are from England, so I grew up having cream teas with scones (plain) smothered in lemon curd and clotted cream…
But I also love flavored scones and I adore cinnamon chips! These are an entirely underused product and I thank you for this recipe!
This will definitely be made regularly here!
I’m so glad you appreciate my use of cinnamon chips! Sometimes, I have a hard time finding them, so I stock up when I see them (usually Christmas time). I think plain scones with lemon curd sound divine. I would like to try a lemon poppyseed scone and maybe some lemon curd slathered on top would be the perfect combination!
I love scones! Being an Aussie ours are the British version, but my favourites are those made by my Danish Mum 🙂 Hers are far from bland though – the key is really good quality salted butter. Despite my loyalty to Mum’s amazing scones, I don’t mind straying every now and again. These look like the perfect brunch treat. Might have to use mini choc chips in mine though because we can’t get cinnamon chips over here! Thanks for the great recipe Lynn, and the rocking photos too!
Can’t get cinnamon chips?! OH NOOOO! Can I send you some as a thank you for being my blog friend?? Hahaha.
Those look gorgeous! I love the lighting in your kitchen. Scones are one of my favorite things to eat for breakfast. Cannot wait to try these!
Thanks, Michele! I’ll let you in on a little secret though… The lighting in our kitchen is kind of terrible. I’ve started taking my photos in the living room with my photo board on the coffee table next to our sliding glass door. Much better! So thank you for noticing the beautiful light! 🙂
what is the calorie count on this recipe?
You can plug the recipe into any calorie calculator to find out! I don’t do this because then I’d have to do it for everyone who asks 🙂
Thanks for this recipe! One clarification: do you separate (pull apart) the scones before baking them? Or keep the round pie shape, with the cut pieces, together? Does that make sense?
I understand exactly what you’re asking, and no, do not pull them apart. Keep them together and bake in a sliced disc!
Where do I find these cinnamon chips? No stores in my area carry them. Not even during the holidays?
I’m sorry to hear that, Betty! Our local grocery store usually has them at the holidays, but I can find them on Amazon if our store is out. You can also try stores like Walmart and Target who tend to carry some of the more unique products.
None at Walmart or Target. Found them on Amazon! Yay!
I like scones with my tea for breakfast. I usually get them at the bakery near my office and I like their cinnamon ones. I decided to look for a cinnamon scone recipe to make them myself and came upon this recipe. I ordered the cinnamon chips on Amazon. I made these last night and they are absolutely delicious! I’ll definitely be making these again.
SO glad you liked them, Lynn!