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Side view of a baked cinnamon chip scone on a wire cooling rack with more scones behind it.

Cinnamon Chip Scones {Best Basic Scone Recipe}

Yield: 12 scones
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 3 ½ cups (497 g) all-purpose flour (see note about whole wheat flour)
  • ⅓ cup (71 g) sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup (170 g) cold salted butter cut into tablespoon-size pieces
  • 1 cup (242 g) cold buttermilk
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¾ cup (128 g) cinnamon chips (see note)
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted
  • Granulated sugar for sprinkling

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
  • In a food processor (see note if you don't have one), combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Pulse to combine.
  • Add the butter and pulse until the butter is in pea-size pieces.
  • Add the buttermilk and vanilla and pulse a couple of times until the dough starts to come together. Don't over mix; it’s ok if there are dry, crumbly spots here and there.
  • Remove the blade and add the chips, using your hands to knead them in a bit. Turn the dough out onto a surface dusted with 1-2 tablespoons flour and combine the dough and chips together with your hands, kneading briefly, until it comes together. Don't over work the dough.
  • Lightly press the dough into a long rectangle, about 15 X 3 inches.
  • Cut the dough into 12 to 14 triangular wedges, and place them 1/2-inch apart on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the tops with melted butter and sprinkle with sugar.
  • Bake for 15 minutes until just lightly golden brown and baked through. Let cool on the pan or remove to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Cinnamon Chips: this recipe works best with cinnamon chips that are miniature size (similar to a mini chocolate chip). You can find these at Prepared Pantry or Orson Gygi or Amazon).
Food Processor Alternative: to make this recipe without a food processor, place the dry ingredients in a bowl and cut in the butter with a pastry blender until it forms pea-size pieces, or grate the cold butter on the large holes of a box grater into the dry ingredients. Mix in the buttermilk and vanilla and stir with a rubber spatula. Add the cinnamon chips as indicated in the recipe and proceed with the recipe.