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.
Recipe: $1.58 | Per Serving: $0.20 | Servings: 8
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 This Recipe Works
- Minimal ingredients are needed. Unlike other scone recipes that require more ingredients to make, this recipe is basic and only needs 4 ingredients!
- 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!
For specific ingredients and measurements, please see the recipe card below.
🧾 Substitutions
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.
🥣 Recipe Add-Ins
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.
🔪 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!
🍴 Recipe 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.
⏲️ Make Ahead Instructions
Freezing Dough- If you wish to make the dough in advance, you may. I recommend making the dough and cutting it into wedges before freezing raw on a baking sheet.
Long-Term Storage- Once solid, you can transfer to an airtight container for up to 3 months. You can bake your scones from frozen.
👩🏻🍳 Storage
Room Temperature Storage- Store any uneaten scones in an airtight container at room temperature. The fridge will cause the scones to dry out, so room temp is best.
Reheating Tip- Note that you can reheat them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds for a second chance at that warm-from-oven taste.
💭 Recipe 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 Delicious Biscuit Recipes
If you tried these 4 ingredient scones, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and share your feedback in the 📝 comments section below. I would truly appreciate it!
📖 Recipe
4 Ingredient Scones
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups self rising flour ($0.65)
- 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar ($0.04)
- 6 Tablespoons cold salted butter ($0.72)
- ¾ cup plus 2 tablespoons milk ($0.17)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 450 degrees F.
- Measure your flour and sugar into a large mixing bowl.
- Whisk together to combine.
- Cut in the cold cubed salted butter.
- Mix together until the butter it looks like fine crumbs.
- Add in the milk.
- Mix together until the dough comes together.
- Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and divide into 2 equal sized portions.
- Pat each disc into a circle that's roughly ¼- ½ inch thick. Divide into 4 equal sized wedges.
- Place the scones onto an ungreased baking sheet.
- Bake in the oven for about 15 minutes or until golden.
- Let cool, split in half, and top with fresh jam or butter as desired.
- Serve and enjoy!
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