Caramel Apple Scones

But the best part is, popular apple varieties are often available year-round at the grocery store, and they make an excellent storage fruit through the winter – so these delicious baked goods can be enjoyed any time!

I prefer using the Granny Smith variety, because I love its sourness and texture – but this is a fun and forgiving recipe for you to experiment with your own favorites.

These beautiful wedges are firm, yet still moist. They are filled with chunks of diced apples, and a hint of cinnamon brings out the amazing taste of the fruit.

Depending on your preference, you can either cut the dough into wedges like I did – in the same way that you would slice a pizza – or cut it into small circles to make round scones.

I personally like them in wedges for this recipe, because I think they look even prettier when they’re drizzled with caramel.

Once baked, allow them to cool just slightly before drizzling the sweet, sticky caramel over them.

Caramel and apples are a classic combination that’s so delicious in scone form. And sure, the sweet sauce topping is optional, but I think you’ll be missing out if you skip it!

A full batch of these scones can be made in just 40 minutes. And while they are easy to make, they certainly look impressive with the final ingredient drizzled on top.

Are you drooling already? Head straight to the recipe and bake a batch soon!

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Cooking by the Numbers…

Step 1 – Prep

Preheat the oven to 350°F and line one baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.

Measure out your ingredients: all-purpose flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, salt, cold butter, heavy cream, egg, brown sugar, and vanilla extract.

Make sure the butter is cold – firm butter will be easier to grate, and incorporating cold grates into the other ingredients will maintain a flakier, lighter final product.

Using a sharp knife and a cutting board, with or without the help from a coring tool, peel, core, and dice the apples. The pieces should be small enough that it won’t be difficult for chewing.

You can make a homemade caramel sauce by following our instructions for made-from-scratch caramels. However, there are many top-quality products to buy at the store!

Step 2 – Make the Dough

Whisk together the flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl.

Grate the cold butter with the coarse side of a box grater and scatter it over the flour mixture.

When you get to the very end of the butter stick, it may be difficult to grate. Instead, you can chop the remaining butter with a knife, or using your hands to crumble it.

Use a pastry cutter if you have one, or two butter knives like I did, to cut the butter into the flour mixture until you get a crumbly mixture that looks like coarse sand. The butter should be distributed very well throughout the dry mix.

Whisk together the heavy cream, egg, brown sugar, and vanilla extract in a small bowl. Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients.

Mix everything together with a sturdy spoon or your hands until you get a firm but malleable dough that’s thoroughly combined.

Gently fold in the chopped apple pieces with a sturdy spoon or your hands, until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.

Step 3 – Cut the Dough into Wedges

Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface. Use floured hands to form a ball, then flatten it slightly into a 2-inch-thick disc.

With a sharp chef’s knife, cut it into 8 wedges. I like to imagine a pizza, slicing through the dough to form evenly sized triangles.

If you prefer to make round scones, you can also cut out the dough into small circles using a cookie or biscuit cutter. Either way, make sure to flour the knife or the cookie cutter before cutting to prevent sticking.

Step 4 – Bake

Place the wedges at least 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet, and transfer the sheet to the oven.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the scones feel firm to the touch on top and the edges develop a light golden-brown color.

Remove the baking sheet from the oven and transfer the scones to a cooling rack to cool slightly, about five minutes. They taste best when served while still warm, freshly baked!

Step 5 – Drizzle with Caramel and Serve

Drizzle the caramel over the scones just before serving.

If your sauce is too firm, heat it in the microwave for a few seconds and give it a stir before pouring in a thin stream back and forth over the top of your scones. You could also add a bit of hot water and stir until it becomes thin enough to drizzle.

I used a spoon for drizzling, but a liquid measuring cup with a spout works well, too.

What a Sweet Treat!

These fall-themed baked goodies are incredibly easy to make and serve to your family and friends.

If you have unexpected guests, they make a beautiful snack, breakfast, or dessert that is quick to whip up with an impressive presentation, particularly with the tasty caramel drizzled over the top.

You can even double up on the fruity flavor by serving them with homemade apple butter, though they would be equally as tasty with our spiced pastry glaze.