Vegan Scones Recipe
If you have been searching for the perfect morning treat or an afternoon delight, this Vegan Scones Recipe is going to become your new favorite. These scones are beautifully tender yet flaky and boast a subtle sweetness balanced by a hint of vanilla and just the right touch of vegan butter richness. Crafted with simple, wholesome ingredients like vegan buttermilk and plant-based yogurt, these scones prove that compassion and flavor can go hand in hand. Whether you’re vegan or just love a fantastic baked good, this recipe brings warmth and coziness straight to your kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Vegan Scones Recipe lies in its straightforward but essential ingredients. Each one plays a vital role in the flavor, texture, and appearance of the final scones. From the cold vegan butter creating those gorgeous flaky layers to the vegan buttermilk that adds a lovely tang and tenderness, every component is thoughtfully chosen.
- Vegan buttermilk: This is the liquid base that tenderizes and adds a subtle tang to the scones.
- Vegan Greek-style yogurt: Brings creaminess and moisture for a soft crumb.
- Vanilla extract: Infuses a warm, aromatic sweetness that elevates the flavor.
- All-purpose flour: The structure provider ensuring the scones hold together perfectly.
- Baking powder: Helps the scones rise and get that light, fluffy texture.
- Sea salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor.
- Vegan butter (cold and cubed): Creates layers and a flaky bite we all crave in scones.
- Granulated sugar: Adds just enough sweetness without overpowering the delicate flavors.
- Non-dairy milk: Used for brushing to give the scones a beautiful golden finish.
- Maple syrup: Sweetens the glaze and provides a glossy top crust.
How to Make Vegan Scones Recipe
Step 1: Chill the Wet Ingredients
Begin by combining your vegan buttermilk, vegan yogurt, and vanilla extract in a medium bowl or jug. Give it a good whisk until fully blended, then pop it in the freezer for 10 minutes. This chilling step is crucial because the ice-cold mixture helps the vegan butter stay firm during mixing, which results in that signature flaky texture.
Step 2: Prepare the Dry Ingredients
While your wet ingredients chill, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and sea salt in a large bowl. Add the cubed cold vegan butter and use your fingertips to rub it into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs. This rubbing technique is what creates wonderful layers. Sprinkle in the granulated sugar and give it a gentle stir to combine evenly.
Step 3: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Make a well in the center of your dry mixture and pour in the icy wet ingredients. Using a spatula, mix everything until the dough just comes together. It should look sticky and tacky, but resist overworking to keep those pieces of vegan butter intact — this is the secret to flaky scones.
Step 4: Fold and Shape the Dough
Turn the sticky dough onto a floured surface. Use a pastry scraper to gently form it into a rectangle. Then fold one side over the other and press down firmly. Repeat this folding process two more times. This folding technique builds the layers your mouth will absolutely adore. Finally, press the dough to about 1 ½ inches thick to prepare for cutting.
Step 5: Cut Out the Scones
Lightly flour a 2.5-inch cookie cutter and press it straight down into the dough without twisting, preserving those flaky layers. Place each scone on a parchment-lined baking sheet about 1 to 2 centimeters apart. Gather the scraps, refold, and cut until all the dough is used.
Step 6: Chill the Dough
Transfer the tray with your scones to the fridge for 30 minutes. This resting time firms up the dough to help the scones rise beautifully without spreading.
Step 7: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 200°C/390°F if it’s fan-forced, or 220°C/430°F for a conventional oven to achieve that perfect golden crust.
Step 8: Brush with Glaze
Mix your non-dairy milk and maple syrup together, then gently brush this mixture over the scones’ tops. This step gives a gorgeous shine and a hint of caramelized sweetness after baking.
Step 9: Bake Until Golden
Place the scones in the middle of your oven and bake for 14 to 15 minutes. Keep an eye out for a puffed, golden top — that’s your cue that these beauties are ready.
How to Serve Vegan Scones Recipe
Garnishes
Nothing beats a freshly baked Vegan Scones Recipe with a spread of plant-based butter or your favorite jam. For an indulgent twist, try almond butter or coconut yogurt. A little sprinkle of powdered sugar is a charming finishing touch, especially for a teatime treat.
Side Dishes
Pairing your scones with fresh fruit or a vibrant fruit compote complements their mellow flavor perfectly. Alternatively, a warm cup of chai or herbal tea completes this cozy experience like nothing else.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve your scones as mini sandwiches filled with vegan cream cheese and cucumber slices for an elegant brunch option. Or arrange them with assorted plant-based spreads and fresh berries on a rustic wooden board to impress guests with both taste and presentation.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
These scones are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container or sealed ziplock bag at room temperature for a day or two. If you want to keep them longer, refrigeration for up to 5 days works well without sacrificing too much moisture.
Freezing
A fantastic way to have these scrumptious scones on demand is by freezing the dough before baking. Shape them, chill until firm, then transfer carefully to a bag with parchment paper between each piece. Bake straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to your baking time, and enjoy warm, fresh scones anytime.
Reheating
To revive stored scones, preheat your oven to 160°C/320°F and warm them for about 5 minutes. This method refreshes their texture and flavor far better than a microwave, giving you that just-out-of-the-oven satisfaction all over again.
FAQs
Can I use other types of flour for this Vegan Scones Recipe?
All-purpose flour gives the ideal texture here, but you can try half whole wheat flour for nuttiness. Just be aware this might make the scones a little denser.
What if I don’t have vegan Greek-style yogurt?
You can substitute with vegan sour cream or coconut yogurt; just ensure it’s thick and creamy to keep the dough moist enough.
Can I omit the sugar in this recipe?
While sugar adds balance and helps with browning, you can reduce it slightly if you prefer less sweetness. Just don’t skip it entirely since it contributes to the scones’ tenderness.
Is it necessary to chill the dough and wet ingredients?
Chilling is key to flaky, tender scones. Cold ingredients prevent the vegan butter from melting too soon, which helps create those signature layers.
How long will these vegan scones keep fresh at room temperature?
Stored in an airtight container, they stay fresh for up to two days at room temperature before starting to dry out.
Final Thoughts
If you want to treat yourself or impress friends with a delightful plant-based baked good, this Vegan Scones Recipe is absolutely worth trying. It’s straightforward, delicious, and adaptable, making it a wonderful addition to your recipe collection. Whip up a batch and enjoy that comforting homemade joy that only warm, tender scones can bring.
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Vegan Scones Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
These Vegan Scones are delightfully tender and flaky, made with vegan buttermilk and Greek-style yogurt for a rich, tangy flavor. Perfectly baked to a golden brown, they offer a classic breakfast or tea-time treat that’s entirely plant-based. The dough is carefully chilled and folded for layers, then baked to achieve a light, crumbly texture that’s sure to impress both vegans and non-vegans alike.
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
Fats
- 100 g vegan butter (block-style) (cold and cubed)
Instructions
- Chill wet ingredients: In a jug or medium bowl, whisk together vegan buttermilk, vegan Greek-style yogurt, and vanilla extract. Place this mixture in the freezer for 10 minutes to become ice cold, which helps create flaky layers in the scones.
- Make the dough: Sift together the flour, baking powder, and sea salt into a large bowl. Add the cold, cubed vegan butter and rub it into the flour with your fingertips until the mixture becomes crumbly and resembles coarse breadcrumbs. Stir in the granulated sugar.
- Combine wet and dry: Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the ice-cold buttermilk mixture. Using a spatula, gently mix until the dough just comes together; it will be sticky and tacky, which is perfect for tender scones.
- Shape the dough: Lightly flour your work surface and turn the dough out onto it. Using a pastry scraper, shape the dough into a rectangle. Fold one side over the other, press down to flatten into a rectangle again, and repeat this folding process two more times. This layering technique contributes to the scones’ flakiness. Finally, press the dough to about 1 ½ inches in height.
- Cut out the scones: Dust a 2.5-inch cookie cutter with flour and use it to cut out scones from the dough, pressing down without twisting to ensure proper rise. Place the cut scones on a parchment-lined baking sheet, 1-2 cm apart. Gather and refold the leftover dough to cut out additional scones until all dough is used.
- Chill the dough: Refrigerate the shaped scones on the baking sheet for 30 minutes to firm up, allowing them to bake up light and puffy.
- Preheat oven: Set your oven to 200°C (390°F) for fan-forced or 220°C (430°F) for conventional ovens to ensure perfect baking temperature.
- Prepare the eggwash: Mix the non-dairy milk with maple syrup and lightly brush only the tops of the chilled scones; this gives them a beautiful golden shine after baking.
- Bake: Place the scones in the center of the oven and bake for 14-15 minutes until they have risen and are golden brown on top.
- Storage and serving: Enjoy the scones fresh from the oven for best results. Store leftovers in a sealed ziplock bag or airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days. Reheat in a preheated oven at 160°C (320°F) for 5 minutes to refresh.
- Freezing instructions: To freeze unbaked scones, shape them and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes to firm up. Then transfer them to a ziplock bag or airtight container lined with parchment paper, arranging them side by side without stacking. Bake from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time as needed for perfect results.
Notes
- Use cold, block-style vegan butter to achieve a flaky texture; keep it cubed and chilled until ready to incorporate.
- When cutting out scones, press the cookie cutter straight down without twisting to avoid sealing the edges, which can prevent proper rising.
- For best flakiness, handle the dough gently and avoid overmixing.
- These scones can be customized with your favorite add-ins like dried fruits or vegan chocolate chips if desired.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British