Apple Cinnamon Scones
Packed with chunks of crisp apples, applesauce, and lots of cinnamon these scones are perfect for fall!
It’s true, I was sad to see summer go. But it’s also true that October is one of my favorite months of the year. The leaves are changing, the cold hasn’t quite set in yet, and fresh summer produce transitions to the bounty of fall.
A few weeks ago I bought a box of gala apples from my favorite roadside stand, and we’re still enjoying them. My boys are each eating several a day, I made a big batch of applesauce, and I’ve been baking yummy things like apple crisp and pie.
One morning last week I had a hankering for scones, and 30 minutes later these scones were born.
The recipe for the scones is adapted from King Arthur Flour and they’re absolutely bursting with apple flavor. There’s both chunks of fresh apples and applesauce baked in, along with a spoonful of cinnamon.
You can bake the scones and serve them as is, or you can either sprinkle a little cinnamon-sugar on top before popping them into the oven, or top the baked scones with a simple cinnamon glaze. Or, you can be like me and do both!
baking tip:What's the difference between biscuits and scones
While scones and biscuits have many similarities and the line between the two is somewhat blurred, there are a few differences I have noticed.
Scones are typically richer, often made with eggs and/or heavy cream. And because of the extra liquid in the dough, scones can be denser and more cake-like, while biscuits are known for being soft and flaky. Both can be either sweet or savory, though biscuits are most known for being savory while scones are sweet.
Apple Cinnamon Scones
Ingredients
For the Scones:
- 2 ¾ cup all-purpose flour (330 grams)
- 1/3 cup packed light or dark brown sugar (70 grams)
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter , cold and cubed (1 stick, 113 grams)
- 3/4 cup small dice fresh apple , peeled (85 grams)
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce (120 grams)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Topping:
- 1 large egg + 1 tablespoon water ,for egg wash
- 3 tablespoons coarse or sparkling sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Icing:
- 1 cup powdered sugar , sifted (113 grams)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1-2 tablespoons milk or cream
Instructions
- Combine the flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and cinnamon in a bowl. Add the butter and cut into the dry ingredients with a pastry blender or fork. Add the diced apples.
- In a separate bowl combine the applesauce, eggs, and vanilla extract. Add to the dry ingredients and mix to make a shaggy dough.
- Dump out onto a clean surface and knead with your hands gently to bring the dough into a ball.
- Divide the dough in 2 and shape each into a disk about 1-2 inches tall. Cut each disk into 6 wedges.
- Transfer wedges to a sheet pan lined with parchment paper.
- Chill in the freezer for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
- Brush with egg wash. Combine coarse sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle over the top.
- Bake until tops begin to turn golden brown, about 15-20 minutes.
- To make the icing, combine the powdered sugar, cinnamon and milk until smooth. Drizzle over warm or cool scones. Let sit 15 minutes for icing to set, then serve.
- Scones are best served the day they are baked, but can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for several days.
Notes
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#EatSeasonal October
Seasonal produce is so great right now! Some of my blogging friends and I are taking on the challenge to eat seasonally. Check out what’s in season this month and join us, won’t you?
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We’re apple scone twins today! I think that means we need to trade. Right?!?! Love the idea of adding applesauce, to get apple flavor in every bite. I definitely want to try that out. Beautiful photos, friend!
I’m always sad to see summer go but fall is my favorite season for so many reasons. These scones look so so perfect for the season and I love those big chunks of apples!
I share the same bittersweet feelings, but am absolutely comforted by cozy scones like this! How gorgeously lofty!
Love that you can whip these up in 30 minutes!!
I don’t know that I have ever stopped and wondered what the difference was between a biscuit and a scone, but now that you explain it, it makes perfect sense. These look so good, especially with the glaze! Yum!
The icing on these make them extra inviting–yum! I appreciate your notes about the difference between scones and biscuits. They are sort of interchangeable but the more fat and sugar in scones makes sense.
How fun to just pick up a box of apples on the side of the road! We are apple monsters in this house! Thank you for explaining the difference between scones and biscuits! I never could quite figure it out! LOL!
I have some apples sitting in my fridge right now – perfect idea for breakfast today!
I have made your wonderful apple and cinnamon scones several times absolutely fabulous.Thank u for lovely recipe. Second time making added sultanas used half wholemeal flour and half white also added chia and linseed. ??? looking forward to more of your recipes subscribed today ?? Noreen Curtin