Experience the joy of baking with this easy 4 Ingredient Scones Recipe. Perfect for breakfast or tea, these budget-friendly and beginner-friendly scones are a delightful treat when paired with your favorite jam.
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Scones are one of those easy recipes you can make with minimal effort and this recipe is as simple as it gets. While we have a Big Fluffy Scones Recipe and these Blueberry Cream Cheese Scones available on the blog, this 4 ingredient scones recipe is even simpler!
Made with just a few ingredients, this is a great way to reduce prep and effort while still getting a delicious, tender scone to serve at breakfast, brunch, or afternoon tea time.
Serve them up with some homemade Sugar Free Strawberry Jam or Sugar Free Blueberry Jam for a delicious summery experience.
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💛 Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Minimal ingredients are needed. Unlike other scone recipes that require more ingredients to make, these 4 Ingredient Scones only need 4!
- They're cheap to make. Making your own scones at home is a great way to save money because each scone only costs a few cents to make. This is a lot cheaper than buying them anywhere else!
- They're easy to make. If you've never made scones at home, you may be surprised to find they're easier than you thought. Just measure, stir, pat into a disc, and cut. Perfect for beginner chefs!
🛒 Ingredients
Self rising flour- This is pre-mixed flour with baking powder and salt for convenience. Available in baking aisles and used in various recipes. We use it in Jalapeno Cheddar Beer Bread and Easy 3 Ingredient Biscuits.
Butter- You can use butter or shortening depending on what you have on hand, but I prefer the richer taste that butter gives the dough. Salted butter works best at giving a richer taste!
See the recipe card below for full ingredients and instructions.
🔀 Substitutions & Variations
Butter- Use salted or unsalted butter based on availability. Alternatively, plain or butter-flavored shortening can be substituted. Butter should be cold, shortening at room temperature without melting.
Adding Raisins- If you would like to add in ¼ cup of raisins, you may. I find that it works best when you remove 2 tablespoons of milk, before adding in the raisins as they will release their own moisture as the scones cook.
💰 Budget-Friendly Tips
Swap butter wisely. Butter adds flavor, but you don't need premium European butter. Store brand works perfectly. If you need to stretch butter further, replace up to 2 tablespoons with oil (vegetable or canola) without affecting texture too much.
Use milk instead of cream. Heavy cream can get pricey. Whole milk, or even 2%, will still give soft, delicious scones while keeping costs down.
🥄 Instructions for the 4 Ingredient Scones
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 450 degrees F.
Step 2: Measure your flour and sugar into a large mixing bowl. (Image 1).
Step 3: Whisk together to combine. (Image 2).
Step 4: Cut the cold butter into cubes. (Image 3). Add to flour mixture. (Image 4).
Step 5: Mix together until the butter it looks like fine crumbs. (Image 5).
Step 6: Add in the milk. (Image 6).
Step 7: Mix together until the dough comes together. (Image 7).
Step 8: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and divide into 2 equal sized portions. (Image 8).
Step 9: Pat each disc into a circle that's roughly ¼- ½ inch thick. (Image 9). Divide into 4 equal sized wedges. (Image 10).
Step 10: Place the scones onto an ungreased baking sheet. (Image 11).
Step 11: Bake in the oven for about 15 minutes or until golden. (Image 12).
Let cool, split in half, and top with fresh jam or butter as desired.
Serve and enjoy!
👩🏻🍳 Expert Tips
- It's similar to making biscuits. Making scones is similar to whipping up Baking Powder Biscuits, with similar ingredients but a different process. Instead of rolling, folding, and cutting dough, scones involve gently pressing the dough into a disc.
- Don't knead the dough. Unlike biscuits, scones require minimal handling to maintain their soft, fluffy texture. Avoid kneading or folding the dough too much, as this can result in chewy scones.
- Biscuits and breads demand different care. Treat the dough more gently than a yeast dough, similar to making Homemade White Bread. Aim for soft, fluffy, and airy scones by handling the dough with care.
❄️ Storage, Reheating & Make Ahead
Storage: Store 4 Ingredient Scones in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Avoid the fridge, as it can dry them out. For longer freshness, freeze baked scones in a freezer bag for up to 3 months.
Reheating: Warm in the microwave for 10-15 seconds for a soft texture or in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes to restore crisp edges and that fresh-baked feel.
Make Ahead: Prepare the dough and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking, or freeze unbaked wedges on a baking sheet. Once solid, transfer to a freezer bag and bake straight from frozen, adding 2-3 extra minutes to the bake time.
🥗 Side Dishes or Pairing Ideas
4 Ingredient Scones pair well with many sides and drinks. Enjoy them with fresh fruit, yogurt parfaits, or scrambled eggs for a balanced meal. Sweet scones go great with jam and honey.
- How to Make Strawberry Jam (for Canning)Recipe $9.62 / Half-Pint $1.60
- Instant Pot YogurtRecipe $3.76 / Serving $0.24
- Small Batch Orange MarmaladeRecipe $1.38 / Serving $0.69
- Strawberry Blueberry ParfaitRecipe $2.97 / Serving $1.49
❓ 4 Ingredient Scones FAQs
Keep dough cool: It's important to prevent butter from melting before baking. Chilled dough creates flaky, delicious scones.
Avoid these scone-making blunders:
Using warm ingredients- opt for cold butter, eggs, and cream for flakier results.
Overmixing the dough can lead to toughness.
Chill the dough before baking to maintain texture.
Resist baking scones in advance so they are fresher.
Scones are usually served with jam or butter, but in British households, you may find them served with clotted cream (something we don't find here in America). I recommend trying these scones with my Copycat Texas Roadhouse Butter!
Similar to cinnamon rolls or biscuits, placing scones close together promotes even, higher rising. Heat encourages upward, not outward expansion.
🍽️ More Recipes You'll Love
- Blueberry Cream Cheese SconesRecipe $4.07 / Serving $0.51
- Strawberry Cheesecake Crescent RollsRecipe $3.23 / Serving $0.40
- Jalapeno Cheddar BiscuitsRecipe $3.78 / Serving $0.47
- Easy Easter Bunny BiscuitsRecipe $2.14 / Serving $0.54
🐝 If you tried these 4 ingredient scones, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and share your buzz in the 💬 comments below. I'd truly appreciate it!
📖 Recipe
4 Ingredient Scones
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups self rising flour - ($0.65)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar - ($0.04)
- 6 tablespoons salted butter, cold - ($0.72)
- ¾ cup plus 2 tablespoons milk - ($0.17)
Instructions
- Prep. Preheat oven to 450°F.
- Mix dry ingredients. In a large bowl, whisk together the self-rising flour and granulated sugar.
- Cut in butter. Add the cold butter and cut it into the flour mixture until it resembles fine crumbs.
- Add milk. Pour in the milk and gently mix until the dough just comes together.
- Shape. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and divide into 2 equal portions. Pat each into a circle about ¼ to ½ inch thick and cut each circle into 4 wedges.
- Bake. Place scones on an ungreased baking sheet and bake for about 15 minutes, until golden.
- Serve. Cool slightly, split if desired, and serve with butter or jam.
Notes
- Butter Options. Salted, unsalted butter, or shortening all work.
- Add-Ins. Add up to ¼ cup raisins. Reduce milk by 2 tablespoons if adding.
- Dough Handling. Avoid overworking the dough for tender scones.
- Make Ahead. Shape and freeze unbaked scones up to 3 months. Bake from frozen.
- Storage. Store in an airtight container at room temperature. Reheat briefly if needed.
Nutritional Information
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Sophia Duval says
Thank you, they came out beautiful.