Glazed Cinnamon Bun Scones - A Sweet 30-Minute Breakfast Recipe! (2024)

July 9, 2006 (updated Nov 2, 2022) by Jennifer McHenry //

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Incredibly moist and crumbly, these glazed cinnamon bun scones will be on your counter in 30 minutes. Packed with cinnamon and brown sugar, their buttery goodness is perfect for fall baking.

Glazed Cinnamon Bun Scones - A Sweet 30-Minute Breakfast Recipe! (1)

Easy Homemade Cinnamon Scones

When fall comes around, my love for cinnamon-everything kicks in. As a result, it didn’t take long for these easy cinnamon bun scones to find their way into my head and kitchen. Since I’m all about low-effort and high-reward baking, turning your kitchen upside down isn’t something you have to worry about with this easy scones recipe.

These cinnamon bun scones are a beautifully spiced autumn symphony that comes together in 30 minutes. You can thank simple, pantry-staple ingredients for that. In a nutshell, you only need flour, cinnamon, oats, and brown sugar to make them. For this recipe, less is more!

These scones are moist, irresistibly crumbly, and golden brown. Pecans are totally optional but they do add a nice crunch and nuttiness. The end result is so good you’ll even want to eat the crumbs on your plate.

What You’ll Need

Here’s a quick overview of what you’ll need to make these cinnamon bun scones. Scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of this post for exact ingredient amounts.

For the Scones

  • Pecans – I prefer toasted, unsalted pecans. If you can’t find them, buy unsalted pecans and toast them yourself. If you need a refresher, see my note in the tips section below for how to toast nuts.
  • Light brown sugar – You can use just light brown sugar or a mix of light and dark brown sugar leftovers.
  • Ground cinnamon – If you’re feeling creative, you can even add 1/2 teaspoon of allspice. It’ll make the scones taste even more like fall.
  • All-purpose flour – Measure accurately by using a digital scale or the spoon and sweep method.
  • Old-fashioned rolled oats – These add a great texture and bite. You can use quick oats instead, but the consistency will be much denser.
  • Granulated sugar
  • Baking powder
  • Salt
  • Unsalted butter – If you choose to go down the salted butter road, make sure to leave out the rest of the salt in the recipe. Learn more: Unsalted vs Salted Butter in Baking
  • Milk – I recommend using whole milk or 2% milk.
  • Egg
  • Vanilla extract

For the Glaze

  • Confectioners’ sugar – Also called powdered sugar. Don’t use any granulated sugars because they don’t dissolve smoothly or have a desirable consistency for glazes.
  • Milk – Whole or low-fat options work. Water is great too because it doesn’t affect flavor and lets you reach the same consistency.

How to Make Cinnamon Bun Scones

Fuss-free and in the oven within 20 minutes? Yes, these scones are the real deal. Here’s how to make them:

To Make the Scones

  • Prepare the pans. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Set them aside. Preheat the oven to 425°F.
  • Make the cinnamon sugar. Combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, and pecans in a small bowl. Set it aside.
  • Whisk the dry ingredients. In a large bowl, mix the flour, oats, baking powder, and salt. Add the butter and quickly rub it into the dry ingredients. Don’t knead it because we don’t want to develop gluten. Another way to do this is to grate the butter into the dry ingredients and then incorporate it slightly. The dough should be loose and resemble a coarse, crumbly sand.
  • Mix the wet ingredients. In a separate bowl, combine the milk, egg, and vanilla extract. Add it to the dry ingredients and use a wooden or silicone spatula to mix the dough until it’s just combined.
  • Add the cinnamon sugar. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar over the dough, and use your spatula to gently fold it into the dough. Make sure not to over-mix it. If the dough is beginning to get too warm, place it into the refrigerator for 30 minutes and then continue mixing.
  • Shape. Use a cookie scoop or a measuring cup to scoop 1/4 cup of dough at a time and place it on the prepared baking trays. Leave about 2 inches of space between them.
  • Bake. Place one pan at a time into the oven for 11 to 13 minutes or until golden brown.
  • Cool. Remove them from the oven and let them cool for 5-10 minutes before glazing. The scones will absorb all the glaze if you add it right after baking.

To Make the Glaze

  • Mix the ingredients. Sift the confectioners’ sugar to remove any clumps. Then add the milk and mix until you get a smooth mixture.
  • Drizzle. Use a spoon or piping bag to drizzle glaze over the cooled scones to taste. Enjoy!
Glazed Cinnamon Bun Scones - A Sweet 30-Minute Breakfast Recipe! (3)

What’s The Secret To Making Good Scones?

More like secrets. Here are my top tips for making the best cinnamon buns scones (and great scones in general):

  • Use an oven thermometer. If the butter in the scones melts before any of the baking reactions actually occur, then say goodbye to crumbly, moist scones. They’ll turn out rubbery and dense. To make sure your oven is properly heated, use an oven thermometer before putting the trays in the oven.
  • Use a scale. Using a scale to weigh the ingredients is much more accurate than measuring cups. If you have a kitchen scale, now’s the time to use it. You’ll get perfect scones every time.
  • Toast the pecans. While this isn’t a requirement, you’ll get a great flavor addition from toasting the pecans. They also stay nice and crunchy. To toast them, spread the pecans in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake at 350°F for 10-15 minutes or until toasted and fragrant. You can also do this in a skillet on the stovetop over low heat. Stir them frequently, cooking for 3-5 minutes.
  • Use a scoop for portioning. Using a cookie scoop or measuring cup helps keep the scones more or less the same size so the baking times are even.
  • Use cold everything. Milk, eggs, and especially the butter need to be cold.
  • Grate the butter. If you want to make extra sure your butter stays cold, freeze it and then grate it into the recipe. This will reduce the amount of mixing, meaning it actually stays cold.
  • Refrigerate. If your oven isn’t done preheating by the time your scones are ready, place the pans into the refrigerator. This will keep them nice and cold up until the minute you’re ready to bake.

Serving Suggestions

Freshly baked or a couple of days after, these scones are great with all your favorite hot and cold drinks.

In the mornings, they’re perfect with coffee or tea for a quick breakfast. As an afternoon snack, try them with frappuccinos. For something a little different, give them a try while sipping on Thai milk tea. For chilly nights at home, hot chocolate and floral tea infusions are amazing, too.

How to Store Homemade Scones

Line an airtight container with napkins or paper towels and then place the cooled scones inside. The napkins will absorb any moisture and keep your scones from becoming too chewy. At room temperature, they’ll last for up to 3 days.

You can also keep them in the refrigerator for up to a week. I recommend letting them come to room temperature or warming them before eating.

Can I Freeze These?

Yes! Baked or unbaked, these cinnamon bun scones freeze extremely well.

  • Unbaked: Place your unbaked scones into the freezer on a parchment-lined tray. Freeze for 4 hours or until completely frozen. Then wrap them with plastic wrap and transfer to a freezer-friendly bag or container. They will freeze for up to 3 weeks.
  • Baked: Fortunately, baked scones last longer. Just wrap them in plastic wrap once cooled and transfer to a freezer-friendly bag or container. They’ll keep for up to 3 months.

More Homemade Scone Recipes

  • Chocolate Chip-Hazelnut Scones
  • Berry and Cream Thumbprint Scones
  • Cinnamon Oat Scones
  • Spiced Oat Scones with Brown Butter Glaze
  • Cinnamon-Apple Scones
Find more breakfast treats in the Recipe Index!

Video Tutorial: Cinnamon Bun Scones

Yield12 scones

Prep Time20 minutes

Cook Time13 minutes

Total Time33 minutes

Irresistibly crumbly and delicately spiced, these Cinnamon Bun Scones are the perfect fuss-free recipe. The glaze on top is simple but adds a touch of sweetness.

Glazed Cinnamon Bun Scones - A Sweet 30-Minute Breakfast Recipe! (4)

Ingredients

For the scones:

  • 1/2 cup (about 60g) toasted chopped pecans
  • 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (99g) old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, cold and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
  • 3/4 cup (177ml) milk
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the glaze:

  • 3/4 cup (82g) confectioners' sugar, sifted
  • 3 to 4 teaspoons milk

Instructions

To make the scones:

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. In a small bowl, combine the pecans, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, combine the flour, oats, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the butter and mix with a pastry blender or a fork until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  4. Combine the milk, egg, and vanilla in a small bowl. Add to the flour mixture and stir just until combined.
  5. Sprinkle the cinnamon mixture over the dough. Gently stir until the batter is just swirled with the cinnamon mixture.
  6. Drop the dough by 1/4-cup portions onto prepared pans. Leave about 2 inches between scones.
  7. Bake 11 to 13 minutes, or until golden brown.
  8. Cool the scones on a wire rack for 5 minutes while you make the glaze.

To make the glaze:

  1. Combine the confectioners' sugar with 3 teaspoons milk. Add more milk if needed to achieve pouring consistency.
  2. Drizzle the glaze over the warm scones.

Notes

*A 1/4-cup scoop works wonderfully!

Recipe slightly adapted fromQuaker.

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Glazed Cinnamon Bun Scones - A Sweet 30-Minute Breakfast Recipe! (2024)

FAQs

Can you eat scones for breakfast? ›

If like me you like spreads, toast and coffee as part of a happy morning routine then making a batch of scones at the beginning if each week is a massive investment in your tummy's happiness for the week ahead.

What is better for scones buttermilk or heavy cream? ›

Heavy Cream or Buttermilk: For the best tasting pastries, stick with a thick liquid such as heavy cream or buttermilk. I usually use heavy cream, but if you want a slightly tangy flavor, use buttermilk.

Why put eggs in scones? ›

Just as in old times, today's scone recipes don't include eggs, but there are some rare recipes that do. Eggs may change the texture of the scone, which should be golden on the outside and airy inside. RELATED VIDEO: Video Player is loading.

What to eat scones with? ›

12 Tasty Ideas for All Butter Cheese Scones
  • Ploughman's Pickle. The tangy flavour of ploughman's pickle makes it the perfect accompaniment for cheese. ...
  • Cold Cuts of Ham. ...
  • Sweet Chilli Sauce. ...
  • Salad. ...
  • Strawberry Jam. ...
  • Tomato Chutney. ...
  • Chunks of Cheese. ...
  • Slices of Apple.

Are scones healthy or unhealthy? ›

They are typically extremely high in calories from the heavy butter and cream. And, although scones with fruit might seem healthier, most are even higher in calories and still high in saturated fat. Steer clear of scones.

How unhealthy is a scone? ›

fattening. A Food Standards Agency (FSA) report has found that the average scone contains 408 calories, with the best – sorry, most fattening – clocking up a remarkable 756 calories and 39.2g of sugar. Add jam and cream to the largest scone tested, and you are talking more than 900 calories.

What is the secret to making good scones? ›

Baking tips for making the perfect scones

The colder the better when it comes to scones, we recommend a chilled bowl and pastry cutter too. Use pastry flour: This will create a noticeably lighter scone. However, self-raising flour works just as well and creates a higher rising scone that holds its shape nicely.

Is it better to make scones with butter or oil? ›

For example, if you substitute oil for butter or margarine, you can significantly reduce the amount of saturated fat in your baked goods. This streamlined recipe for Light Scones uses just 3 tablespoons of canola oil, which contains a fraction of the saturated fat found in butter or margarine.

What is the best flour for scones? ›

We recommend using all-purpose flour. There is some debate as to what flour one should use to go around achieving the perfect scone. This is because within different flours comes different levels of protein. Typically, if there is a higher protein level within a flour, the more dense the scone would come out.

How to make scones rise higher? ›

To ensure taller scones, start with a thicker dough disc and place the scones on a tray with sides, allowing them to slightly touch one another. This arrangement encourages the scones to push against the pan and each other, promoting height.

Should scone dough rest before baking? ›

Recipes for scones sometimes provide a make-ahead option that involves refrigerating the dough overnight so it can simply be shaped and then popped into the oven the next day. But now we've found that resting the dough overnight has another benefit: It makes for more symmetrical and attractive pastries.

What does brushing milk on scones do? ›

Brushing scones with milk or cream before baking yields a golden crust. For deeper color and added shine, brush with egg wash: 1 whole egg mixed with 1 tablespoon water and a pinch of salt.

How do British eat scones? ›

Scoop out clotted cream and jams onto your plate, enough for one scone. Break apart a small bite-sized portion of scone with your hands or if using a knife, cut the scone horizontally. Use a knife to slather on cream and jam onto the broken-off piece of scone. The bite-sized piece of scone should be eaten in 1-2 bites.

What do you drink with scones? ›

Scones are a staple pairing with tea drinking, and for good reason. There's nothing quite like a beautiful, pillowy soft scone with a good cup of tea. Scone flavors are diverse and wonderful; we think there's bound to be a scone and a brew for everyone.

Are scones dessert or breakfast? ›

Whether served as a sweet triangular treat or a savory breakfast upgrade, the beloved baked good is perfect any time of the day — and is surprisingly easy to make. Taking its name from the Stone of Destiny, scones are a classic Scottish quick bread, originally made using oats and baked over a griddle.

Do British people eat scones for breakfast? ›

British scones are traditionally drier, lighter, plain in flavor, and significantly less sugary than American scones and are commonly served for breakfast or with afternoon tea as a bready snack.

When should scones be served? ›

Eat scones after tea sandwiches but before sweets.

You will typically find scones on the second tier plate.

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