Apple Cider Scones
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you make a purchase using these links. As an Amazon Associate, and a King Arthur Baking affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
My husband likes fresh apple cider for his morning juice, and I use it in many of my baked recipes, such as these Apple Cider Scones, which not only have fresh cider, but also large chunks of apples. So yummy!
(Post modified with new photos on 10/1/23.)
I love autumn and everything that goes with it, including the availability of fresh apple cider! My dad enjoys harvesting apples and pears to make fresh cider. It’s one of the things I look forward to every September.
With fresh apple cider, you get the fresh juice of apples, which I think, is much stronger than the cider you buy in the store. If you have a chance to buy fresh cider, please give it a try! I highly recommend it! See my Favorite Apple Cider Recipes Here.
More Apple Cider Recipes to Enjoy
- Baked Apple Cider Donuts
- Apple Cider Pancakes
- Apple Cider Fritters
- Sourdough Cider Donuts and Fritters
Ingredients for Apple Cider Scones
(See the full recipe at the bottom of this post.)
- all-purpose flour
- granulated sugar
- baking powder
- ground cinnamon
- baking soda
- salt
- butter
- apples, sliced
- heavy whipping cream
- apple cider (freshly harvested, if possible)
- large egg
- decorating or turbinado sugar (for topping)
- ground cinnamon (optional)
Instructions for Making This Recipe
Begin by gathering all your ingredients so that you have everything close at hand on the counter or table. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Peel, core, and slice the apple into small tidbits.
Feel free to use your favorite baking apple in this recipe. I have used Gala and Honey Crisp, but Jonagold, Golden Delicious, or even Granny Smith would work well.
Prepare the Dough
In a medium bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, ground cinnamon, baking soda, and salt.
This is a great recipe to prepare with your kids or grandchildren. Let them measure, dump, stir, and work with them as you go. Great teaching moments!
Cut in butter with a blending fork (or your hands) until the mixture becomes crumbly.
Create a hole in the center of the mixture, and add the heavy whipping cream, apple cider, and large egg. Mix together with a fork until it forms a ball.
Place dough on a lightly floured surface and add the prepared apple tidbits. Fold the dough 4-5 times until the apples are incorporated. Pat the dough into a 9-inch circle.
Using a knife or bench scraper, slice the dough into 8 triangles. Place each piece on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. You could also use a scone pan, if desired, although I really like the rustic appearance of these scones.
Brush scones with heavy whipping cream and then sprinkle with the sparkling decorating sugar, turbinado, or demerara sugar. If desired, you may refrain from adding any sugar topping and simply brush the scones with cream.
Sometimes I like to add 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon to the sugar mixture for an additional “fall flavor.”
What is the Difference between Sparkling, Turbinado, and Demerara Sugar?
I have used various sugars to top these scones, and prefer sparkling decorating sugar for looks and presentation. Turbinado and demerara sugars are both lightly processed and retain a dark golden brown color. Demerara sugar has more of a molasses flavor than turbinado, which has more of a light caramel flavor. Use whichever you prefer!
Bake in preheated oven for 15-17 minutes until golden brown. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving.
You may also place the scones in freezer bags and freeze for up to 3-5 weeks. Then simply refresh them by placing them in a 350 degree oven for 7-10 minutes to warm.
Serve scones with your favorite tea or coffee. They are wonderful with a little honey butter or apple butter.
See more Scone Recipes Here. Browse Tea Party Ideas Here. View Breakfast or Brunch Ideas Here.
Apple Cider Scones
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup butter
- 1 cup apple peeled, cored, and sliced into tidbits
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream plus more for topping
- 1/2 cup apple cider
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup sparkling decorating sugar for topping
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon optional
Instructions
- Begin by gathering all your ingredients so that you have everything close at hand on the counter or table. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Peel, core, and slice the apple into small tidbit pieces.
Prepare the Dough
- In a medium bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, ground cinnamon, baking soda, and salt.
- Cut in butter with a blending fork (or your hands) until the mixture becomes crumbly.
- Create a hole in the center of the mixture, and add the heavy whipping cream, apple cider, and large egg. Mix together with a fork until it forms a ball.
- Place dough on a lightly floured surface and fold in the apple pieces. Knead 4-5 times until the apples are incorporated. Pat the dough into a 9-inch circle.
- Using a knife or bench scraper, slice the dough into 8 triangles. Place each piece on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. You could also use a scone pan, if desired.
- Brush scones with heavy whipping cream and then sprinkle with sparkling decorating sugar. (If desired, you may add ground cinnamon to the sugar before sprinkling.)
- Bake in preheated oven for 15-17 minutes until golden brown. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving.
- Serve scones with your favorite tea or coffee. They are wonderful with a little honey butter or apple butter. Makes 8 scones.
Notes
Nutrition