Picture yourself on a crisp morning, with the warm aroma of chai spices wafting through the air.
These chai scones are a delightful blend of simplicity and comfort, perfect for breakfast or a cozy afternoon treat.
Easy to make, they transform with each step, as the buttery dough absorbs the fragrant spices and bakes to golden perfection.
Ready to experience this comforting treat? Let’s bring these delightful scones to life!
Kitchen Tools Required
- 1 Mixing bowl
- 1 Whisk
- 1 Rolling pin
- 1 Baking sheet
- 1 Pastry cutter or knife
- 1 Cooling rack
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1/2 cup chai tea, brewed and cooled
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cook & Prep Time
To efficiently manage your time while preparing and baking Chai Scones, follow this timeline:
- Read the Recipe (5 minutes):
- Before starting, take a few minutes to thoroughly read through the entire recipe to understand the steps and gather all necessary ingredients and equipment.
- Preheat & Prep (5 minutes):
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix Dry Ingredients (5 minutes):
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and cloves.
- Prepare Wet Ingredients (5 minutes):
- Brew the chai tea and allow it to cool if not already done.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the brewed chai tea, heavy cream, egg, and vanilla extract.
- Combine Ingredients (5 minutes):
- Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients and cut it in using a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring gently until just combined.
- Knead and Shape Dough (5 minutes):
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently until it comes together.
- Roll the dough into a 1-inch thick circle and cut into 8 wedges with a pastry cutter or knife.
- Bake (20 minutes):
- Place the scones on the prepared baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, until golden brown.
- Rest and Cool (10 minutes):
- Remove the scones from the oven and let them rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes.
- Transfer the scones to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Adjust as needed based on your pace and any additional garnishes you might want to add.
Recipe Instructions
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and cloves.
Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients and cut in using a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
In a separate bowl, mix together the chai tea, heavy cream, egg, and vanilla extract until combined.
Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring gently until just combined.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently until it comes together.
Roll the dough into a 1-inch thick circle and cut into 8 wedges with a pastry cutter or knife.
Place the scones on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 18-20 minutes, until golden brown.
Remove the scones from the oven and let them rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
Serving Tips
- Whipped Cream and Jam: Pair with a dollop of whipped cream and your favorite jam for a traditional British tea experience.
- Honey Butter: Spread some honey butter on warm scones for a sweet and creamy touch.
- Fresh Fruit: Serve alongside fresh berries or sliced fruits to add a revitalizing contrast.
- Mascarpone Cheese: Enjoy with a smear of mascarpone cheese for a rich, creamy complement.
- Chai Tea Latte: Pair with a chai tea latte to enhance the spiced flavors and enjoy a cozy breakfast or snack.
Storage
To store chai scones, let them cool completely.
Then, place them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Alternatively, you can freeze them for longer storage.
Freezing
To freeze chai scones, individually wrap them in plastic wrap and place in an airtight container.
Freeze for up to three months.
Thaw at room temperature before reheating.
Reheating
To reheat chai scones, place them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes.
This retains their texture.
Avoid microwaving, as it may make them soggy.
Final Thoughts
Chai scones are a delightful twist on the traditional British breakfast pastry.
The combination of spices like cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and cloves gives these scones a warm, aromatic flavor that pairs perfectly with a cup of tea or coffee.
With a prep time of just 15 minutes and a cook time of 20 minutes, these scones are a quick and easy treat to whip up for breakfast or brunch.
Be sure to keep the butter cold and avoid overworking the dough to achieve that perfect tender and flaky texture.
Enjoy them fresh out of the oven, perhaps with a sprinkle of sugar or a drizzle of glaze on top for an extra touch of sweetness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Use Self-Rising Flour Instead of All-Purpose Flour?
You can use self-rising flour, but adjust by omitting the baking powder and salt. This substitution will affect the texture, so handle the dough carefully to maintain tenderness and guarantee the butter stays cold for flakiness.
What Can I Substitute for Heavy Cream in the Recipe?
You can substitute heavy cream with an equal amount of whole milk or a combination of 1/4 cup milk and 2 tablespoons melted butter. This maintains the scones’ texture, providing precise balance and artistic presentation.
How Can I Make These Scones Gluten-Free?
To make these scones gluten-free, substitute 2 cups of all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Confirm it’s a blend that includes xanthan gum for structure. Mix precisely and maintain an artistic presentation.
Can I Add Nuts or Dried Fruits to the Scone Dough?
You can definitely add nuts or dried fruits to the dough. Use 1/2 cup of your choice and fold them in gently after mixing the wet and dry ingredients. This adds delightful texture and flavor complexity.
Is There a Vegan Version of This Chai Scone Recipe?
You can make a vegan version by replacing butter with vegan margarine, chai tea with almond milk, and using a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 2.5 tablespoons water) instead of a regular egg for binding.
Chai Scones
Equipment
- 1 Mixing bowl
- 1 Whisk
- 1 Rolling Pin
- 1 Baking sheet
- 1 Pastry cutter or knife
- 1 Cooling rack
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter cold and cubed
- 1/2 cup chai tea brewed and cooled
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and cloves.
- Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients and cut in using a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the chai tea, heavy cream, egg, and vanilla extract until combined.
- Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring gently until just combined.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently until it comes together.
- Roll the dough into a 1-inch thick circle and cut into 8 wedges with a pastry cutter or knife.
- Place the scones on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 18-20 minutes, until golden brown.
- Remove the scones from the oven and let them rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
Notes
