Scones are among my favorite types of snacks for various reasons. They’re easy to make, a batch can be baked in a hurry, and they make great company along with a steeping cup of tea.
In fact, scones were one of the first recipes I played around with when I just started baking years ago, and until today they remain a snack that I often bake when I’m hungry for something sweet.
Today, we’re making caramel apple scones to celebrate one of our favorite seasonal fruits. But the best part is, apples are available year-round and they make an excellent storage fruit through the winter – so these delicious baked goods can be enjoyed any time!
These sweet treats are firm but moist. They are filled with chunks of chopped 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. Most importantly, make sure to flour your knife or cookie cutter before cutting so the dough doesn’t stick to it.
Once baked, allow them to cool slightly before drizzling the sweet, sticky caramel over them. You can make your own caramel at home (and even your own caramel candies in the same batch) if you prefer, but I find it more convenient and simply easier to use store bought caramel.
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 delectable caramel drizzled on top.
Are you drooling already? Head straight to the recipe and bake a batch today!
The Recipe
| Servings | Prep Time |
| 8 scones | 15 minutes |
| Cook Time |
| 25 minutes |
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Firm, moist caramel apple scones filled with chopped apple chunks and a lovely hint of cinnamon. The perfect breakfast, snack, or teatime indulgence!
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- 2 cups all purpose flour plus more for sprinkling
- 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup cold butter
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup peeled and chopped green apple (Granny Smith)
- 1/2 cup store bought caramel for drizzling (or homemade caramel sauce)
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk the all-purpose flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt together.
- Grate the cold butter with a box grater and scatter it over the flour mixture. Use a pastry cutter or two knives to cut the butter into the flour mixture until you get a crumbly mixture that resembles coarse sand.
- In a small bowl, whisk the heavy cream, egg, brown sugar, and vanilla extract together. Combine with the dry ingredients and stir together until a firm dough domes together. Gently fold in the chopped apple pieces until they are evenly distributed.
- Using floured hands, form the dough into a ball and transfer it to a floured surface. Flatten the dough into a 2-inch-thick disc and cut it into 8 even wedges (like you would slice a pizza). You can also cut out the dough into small circles if you prefer.
- Place the wedges at least 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 20 to 25 minutes until they are firm.
- Drizzle caramel over the scones just before serving.
Adapted from Sally’s Baking Addiction
Nutritional Information*
Cooking By the Numbers…
Step 1 –Prepare the Mise en Place
Get your ingredients ready.
Measure out the ingredients: all-purpose flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, salt, cold butter, heavy cream, egg, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and caramel.
Peel, core, and chop the apples into small pieces.
Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2 – Prepare the Dough
Whisk the flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl to combine.
Grate the cold butter with a box grater and scatter it over the flour mixture.
Use a pastry cutter if you have one, or two knives like I did, to cut the butter into the flour mixture until you get a crumbly mixture that looks like coarse sand.
Combine the heavy cream, egg, brown sugar, and vanilla extract in a small bowl and whisk well. Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients.
Mix them together with a spoon until you get a firm but malleable dough that’s thoroughly combined.
Gently fold in the chopped apple pieces with a wooden spoon, large rubber spatula, or your hands, until they are well distributed.
Step 3 – Cut the Dough into Wedges
Use floured hands to form a ball with the dough, and transfer it to a floured surface.
Flatten the dough slightly into a 2-inch thick disc and 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, or even a floured glass. Either way, make sure to flour the knife or the cookie cutter before cutting.
Step 4 – Bake
Place the wedges at least 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet, and place on the middle rack of the oven. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until firm.
Step 5- Drizzle the Caramel
Drizzle the caramel over the scones just before serving.
If your caramel sauce is too firm, heat it up 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 liquid enough to drizzle with a spoon for this.
I used a spoon to drizzle the caramel sauce, but a spouted glass measuring cup works well too.
Serve and Tuck In!
These sweet treats are incredibly easy to make and serve.
If you have unexpected guests, they make a beautiful treat that is quick to whip up and still looks impressive, particularly with the tasty caramel drizzled over the top. You can even double up on the flavor by serving them with homemade apple butter!
A big fan of cinnamon-flavored treats? Give our ooey-gooey brioche cinnamon roll recipe a try. Though if you’re in the mood for something more apple-tasty (and for hotter weather), you’ll love our baked apple smoothie, for breakfast or anytime.
What other types of scones do you like? We love our spiced pumpkin, grapefruit oat, and fresh blackberry versions. Let us know what your favorites are in the comments below!
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Photos by Felicia Lim, © Ask the Experts, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. See our TOS for more details.
*Nutritional information derived from a database of known generic and branded foods and ingredients and was not compiled by a registered dietitian or submitted for lab testing. It should be viewed as an approximation.
About Felicia Lim
Felicia Lim is a Singaporean who moved to Argentina for love. Based in Buenos Aires, also known as “the Paris of South America,” she fills her days with freelance writing, recipe development, and food photography – three passions that give her endless joy. When she isn’t typing away at her computer, cooking in the kitchen, or shooting in her balcony-studio, you can probably find her curled up on the couch, lost in the pages of a good book.
