The Ultimate Comfort Recipe
Hey friends! If you’re anything like me, a warm scone straight out of the oven is one of life’s simple pleasures. You know the kind – slightly crumbly on the outside, soft and buttery on the inside, and perfect for pairing with a cup of tea or coffee. Now, imagine enjoying that delightful treat, but without worrying about gluten.
Yes, that’s right – I’m about to share my absolute favorite gluten-free butter scones recipe with you!
So grab your apron, a cup of tea, and let’s dive into this heavenly, gluten-free baking adventure!
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Classic Gluten-Free Butter Scones
Scones are one of those timeless treats. They’re perfect for breakfast, tea time, or even a special occasion. What makes these butter scones so special (aside from the fact they’re gluten-free) is their simplicity. No need to overcomplicate things – just a few basic ingredients that come together beautifully for a rich, buttery bite that feels like a warm hug.
Now, we all know that gluten-free baking can be a little tricky, right? Sometimes things end up too dry, too dense, or not quite right. But don’t worry! With this recipe, I’ve carefully tested each step to make sure the result is nothing short of perfect. Let’s break it down, step by step, and see how we’re going to make these scones shine.
The IngredientsBefore we dive into the baking process, let’s talk ingredients. I’m all about keeping it simple, but the right ingredients make all the difference. Here’s what you’ll need for this recipe:
- Gluten-free all-purpose flour: This is the base for your scones. I like to use a high-quality gluten-free flour blend that already has xanthan gum or guar gum in it (this helps with the texture). If you’re feeling adventurous, you could make your own blend, but store-bought is perfectly fine too.
- Baking powder: This little hero helps give the scones that perfect rise. Don’t skip it – you want light and fluffy scones, not dense rocks!
- Salt: Just a pinch. You won’t really taste the salt, but it helps bring out the flavors.
- Cold unsalted butter: Ah, butter – the key to the rich, flaky texture we all crave in a good scone. I recommend using cold butter and cutting it into cubes before adding it to the flour mixture. This helps create those little pockets of buttery goodness inside the scone.
- Eggs: Eggs help bind everything together, giving your scones that beautiful, tender texture.
- Milk: Any milk you prefer will work here – dairy or non-dairy. I like to use whole milk for richness, but oat or almond milk work well too.
- Sugar: Just a little sugar adds a touch of sweetness without overpowering the classic flavor of the scone.
Pretty simple, right? I love a recipe that doesn’t require a ton of weird ingredients that I’ll never use again. With these pantry staples, you're already halfway there!
Ingredients
- 2 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
- 2 tbsp sugar (optional)
Instructions
Mixing It All Together
Now, let’s talk about the fun part – putting everything together. You’re going to start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). This ensures that when you pop those scones in, they’ll immediately start puffing up and turning golden brown.
First, grab a large bowl and whisk together your gluten-free flour, baking powder, and salt. It’s important to do this step because it ensures everything is evenly distributed. You don’t want to bite into your scone and find a chunk of baking powder (trust me, it’s not fun).
Next, we’re going to cut the cold butter into the flour mixture. Use a pastry cutter or two knives to work the butter in. The goal here is to create a crumbly texture – think of small, pea-sized clumps of butter mixed into the flour. This will give your scones that signature flakiness. It’s a bit like making pie crust, except much more rewarding because scones are so much easier (and faster!).
Once the butter is incorporated, make a little well in the center of your dry ingredients and add the eggs and milk. Use a spoon or your hands to gently bring everything together. You want to mix it just enough to form a dough – overworking it will make the scones tough, and nobody wants that.
Shaping the Scones
This is where you can get a little creative. Take your dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Gently pat it into a circle, about 1-inch thick. You can use a knife or a dough cutter to slice the dough into 8 wedges, like a pizza, or you can use a round cookie cutter for more traditional scone shapes.
I love the rustic look of hand-cut wedges, but feel free to do whatever suits your style. Just make sure to space them a little apart on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. This allows the scones to rise up and not crowd each other.
If you want a little extra golden color on top, brush the tops with a bit of milk or an egg wash before baking. This step isn’t strictly necessary, but it adds a lovely glossy finish and makes them look even more inviting!
Baking Time
Pop those scones into the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until they’re golden brown on top. You’ll start to smell the buttery goodness filling your kitchen, and that’s when you know they’re nearly ready. Keep an eye on them – ovens vary, and you don’t want them to overbake.
Once they’re out of the oven, let them cool for a few minutes before serving. If you can resist the temptation to eat them right away (good luck!), you can serve them with your favorite toppings. Clotted cream, jam, or even a drizzle of honey – whatever makes your heart happy!
Equipment You’ll Need
For this recipe, the right tools make all the difference! Here’s a quick rundown of the equipment I recommend: You can purchase them here on the recipe page if need be. Click on the links.
- Large mixing bowl: To combine all your dry ingredients.
- Pastry cutter or two knives: To cut the cold butter into the flour mixture and get that perfect, crumbly texture.
- Rolling pin (optional): If you like to roll out your dough before cutting it into shapes, this is handy.
- Baking sheet: For placing your scones before popping them into the oven.
- Parchment paper: To line your baking sheet and prevent sticking.
- Pastry brush: For brushing on the milk or egg wash for that golden, shiny finish.
Pro Tips for Perfect Scones
- Don’t overmix the dough: The more you handle the dough, the denser your scones will be. Gently combine the ingredients until they come together.
- Use cold butter: Cold butter is key to achieving the perfect flaky texture. If the butter warms up too much, you won’t get those beautiful pockets of fluffiness.
- Chill the dough: If you have a few extra minutes, popping the dough into the fridge for about 10-15 minutes before baking helps the scones keep their shape.
Notes
Oven vs. Breadmaker: Which Is Better for Scones?
Ah, the great debate – should you bake these scones in a breadmaker or the oven? While breadmakers are fantastic for making bread dough and other baked goods, when it comes to scones, the oven is your best bet. Scones require quick, high heat to puff up and get that beautiful golden top and flaky texture. A breadmaker, on the other hand, tends to create a more uniform, less flaky texture, and it doesn’t provide the intense, direct heat that scones need.
If you already have a breadmaker and are wondering whether it could be of use, I'd suggest using it only for mixing the dough if you’re looking for convenience. But for shaping and baking the scones, the oven is where the magic happens.
Nutrition Information
Yield 8 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 230-250Total Fat 15gCarbohydrates 24-26gFiber 1gSugar 6gProtein 4g
Enjoy!
There you have it – your very own batch of warm, gluten-free butter scones! I absolutely love making these when I’m in need of a comforting treat, and I bet you will too. Whether you’re enjoying them on a lazy Sunday morning or serving them for afternoon tea, these scones are guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
I hope you had as much fun making these as I did sharing the recipe with you. Enjoy, and don’t forget to pair these with a nice cup of tea!
