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    Home » Snack recipes

    Gingerbread scones

    November 20, 2023 by Caroline's Cooking

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    Gingerbread scones have a delicious balance of warm spice and molasses flavors in scone form. They're easy to make and delicious as a tea time snack (or any excuse).

    These gingerbread scones are moist and have a delicious spice flavor to them. They are easy to make and perfect as a snack, with coffee or whenever you choose.

    Jump to Recipe
    side view of a gingerbread scone with whole spices to side and more scones behind.

    This post may contain affiliate links, where we earn from qualifying purchases. See more details in the policy page.

    I'm a big fan of the warm spice of gingerbread flavors (try my gingerbread madeleines and gingerbread waffles if you are in the same boat). And scones are also the go-to baked good I grew up with.

    So, you'd think I might have put the two things together sooner. Somehow, it took me having a not-so-good gingerbread scone at a local bakery to kick me in to making some myself. And I'm so glad I did as these are delicious.

    torn gingerbread scone sitting on top of other scones with spices in front.

    The one I had at the bakery looked such a great color and shape, but when I bit into it, it was dry and pretty tasteless. Something that had so much potential was sadly lacking.

    Now whether it was just a little too old or the recipe was off, I don't know. But these were things I was determined not to have happen in my own. I'm glad to say these have been tested and shared by various friends and family and they consistently get great reviews. Plus, they're easy to make, so a great choice all round.

    bowls of flour, spices, sugar, butter, milk and molasses.

    What are gingerbread flavors?

    Gingerbread flavors can vary, but most include at least ginger and molasses to give both that bit of a sharp spice and the signature brown coloring. Beyond that, the spices can vary, but many common additions include nutmeg, allspice, cloves and/or cinnamon.

    Here I have gone with ginger, allspice and cinnamon, but you can vary the spices a little, as you prefer or have. I have gone relatively light on the molasses but that, too, you can vary. If you prefer a stronger molasses flavor, feel free to add a bit more. For me, I prefer more of the spice to come through.

    cutting round of gingerbread scone dough into triangles.

    Tips for making scones

    Scones come together pretty quickly as there is not a whole lot to them, but a couple tips to help them turn out well:

    • Mix the spices and raising agent into the flour before adding liquid - this helps them be well distributed.
    • Use cold butter - your hands (or pastry cutter) will help soften it and you want to leave the odd small lump to help get those layers. This works best when you start with cold butter.
    • Don't overwork the dough - the easiest way to get heavy scones is to work the dough more than you need to. You only want everything just mixed for the best texture.

    These scones are sweet without being overly so, which is my preference for scones, and more typical of British-style ones. They're nicely soft and moist but without being overly buttery.

    gingerbread scones on cooling rack.

    You don't have to glaze them by any means, but it both makes them that little more festive and gives a nice little extra sweetness, without making it all too sweet. I added a maple drizzle here, but you could add a touch of spice to the glaze, if you like, or keep it plain.

    Can you make scones ahead?

    Scones generally taste their best on the day they are baked, but you can freeze un-baked scones and cook them from frozen. Just freeze them, separated on a baking sheet and transfer to a container once frozen. Then bake from frozen, adding a couple extra minutes onto the cook time until they have risen and are gently golden.

    If you have extra cooked scones, you can store them at room temperature for a day, they just won't be quite as good. They are a little better gently re-heated - a short burst, covered, in the microwave works well (though best before you add the frosting, if possible, or on a plate as it can run with the heat).

    These gingerbread scones disappeared in no time in our house and I can understand why. Gently spiced, soft and flavorful, you'll not want to limit these to being just a festive treat.

    overhead view of gingerbread scones on rack at an angle.

    If you like scones, try these:

    • Apple bacon cornmeal scones
    • Carrot cake scones
    • classic British scones
    • Roast pear and fig scones
    • Raspberry scones

    You'll also find more snack recipes, both sweet and savory, in the archives.

    Tools to make these scones (affiliate links)

    I'd recommend using a Silicone Baking Mat on top of a Half Baking Sheet to make these.

    See more of my favorite cooking tools and ingredients in the Caroline's Cooking Amazon store. 

    gingerbread scones on rack with spices between scones.
    Print Recipe
    5 from 3 votes

    Gingerbread scones

    All your favorite gingerbread flavors in a scone. Moist, flavorful and delicious.
    Prep Time15 minutes mins
    Cook Time12 minutes mins
    Total Time27 minutes mins
    Course: Snack
    Cuisine: American, British
    Servings: 8 approx
    Calories: 253kcal
    Author: Caroline's Cooking
    SaveSaved!

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups all purpose flour plain flour
    • 1 tablespoon baking powder
    • ½ tablespoon ground ginger
    • ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • ½ teaspoon ground allspice or cloves
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 3 tablespoon brown sugar
    • ½ cup milk
    • 1 egg
    • 2 tablespoon molasses
    • 4 tablespoon butter cold, in small cubes

    For the frosting (optional)

    • ½ cup confectioners sugar icing sugar
    • ½ tablespoon maple syrup
    • ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ½ tablespoon milk or cream
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 400F/200C. Line a baking sheet.
    • Measure out the flour, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, allspice/cloves, salt and sugar into a large bowl and whisk them together so everything is well distributed.
    • In a smaller bowl or measuring jug, add the milk, egg and molasses and whisk them together so that everything is well mixed.
    • Add the small cubes of butter to the flour mixture and either rub them in by hand or use a pastry cutter. You are looking to have a coarse crumb-like texture (so still some smaller lumps of butter in there).
    • Add the milk-egg mixture to the flour and butter mixture and mix everything until combined, but try not to overmix. It can be good to use a knife or spatula so you don't warm or press the mixture too much.
    • Turn out the dough onto a floured work surface and flatten it into a round disk. Cut the mixture into 8 roughly even triangles then transfer to your lined baking sheet. If you like, you can brush with a little milk before baking but they will be fine either way.
    • Bake for approx 12-15 mins, depending on your oven - keep an eye on them towards the end. You want to take them out as they are just starting to brown so they don't burn but have a slight crispness to them and are cooked through. Let the scones cool a minute then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
    • If adding frosting, sift the confectioner's sugar then add the maple syrup, vanilla and milk and mix well until smooth. If needed, add a little more milk if it seems too thick, though I think it dries better if slightly thicker.
    • Once the scones are around room temperature, drizzle the frosting over the scones (or you can spread on if you prefer).

    Video

    Notes

    You probably won't need all of the frosting, but it's better to have slightly too much than too little!
    I have also made a variation on these replacing the brown sugar with dates - you simply blend up around 2oz/58g of medjool dates with the milk and molasses. It adds a lovely slightly different flavor (and is a little healthier too).

    Nutrition

    Calories: 253kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 38mg | Sodium: 213mg | Potassium: 311mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 235IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 115mg | Iron: 2mg

    This post was first shared in December 2015 and has been updated, primarily with new photos and added video.

    Remember to pin for later!

    These gingerbread scones have a delicious balance of warm spice and molasses flavors in scone form. They're easy to make and make a tasty tea time snack (or any excuse).
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    1. Dana

      May 30, 2021 at 6:34 pm

      5 stars
      These are amazing!!! I have made them so many times.

      Reply
      • Caroline's Cooking

        May 30, 2021 at 7:49 pm

        So glad to hear you enjoyed!

        Reply
    2. Caroline's Cooking

      January 02, 2016 at 5:36 pm

      Thanks, Joy, I am beginning to think dates work in almost any baking!

      Reply
    3. Mollie

      January 02, 2016 at 10:42 am

      I love scones, and I love Gingerbread! Enough said, except these look gorgeous! Thanks for bringing this to Fiesta Friday and have a very happy New Year! I’ll be pinning to our FF board just in case no one else has yet! 🙂

      Reply
      • Caroline's Cooking

        January 02, 2016 at 8:03 pm

        Thanks Mollie, they are very tasty so hope you enjoy them!Happy New Year to you too.

        Reply
    4. Suzanne

      January 01, 2016 at 8:02 pm

      5 stars
      What a gorgeous scone, I love the gingerbread spicing, they look just perfect. Thank you for bringing them to the party, Happy Fiesta Friday and Happy New Year,

      Reply
      • Caroline's Cooking

        January 02, 2016 at 7:59 pm

        Thanks Suzanne, Happy New Year to you too!

        Reply
    5. Judi Graber

      January 01, 2016 at 5:12 pm

      I agree gingerbread should be a year-round flavor in all kinds of desserts and not just Christmas. Thumbs up for some delicious looking scones. Happy Fiesta Friday and Happy New Year Caroline 🙂

      Reply
      • Caroline's Cooking

        January 02, 2016 at 5:42 pm

        Thanks, Judi. We can make out of season gingerbread together! Happy New Year and FF to you too.

        Reply
    6. Ginger

      January 01, 2016 at 1:34 pm

      They look utterly timely - haven't had any gingerbread for, well, days! It sounds such a lovely alternative or even addition to regular scones! Thank you so much for bringing them along to Fiesta Friday, Caroline!
      Ginger

      Reply
      • Caroline's Cooking

        January 02, 2016 at 5:39 pm

        Thanks Ginger, I will definitely be making them 'out of season', the flavors are great.

        Reply
    7. Christie

      December 30, 2015 at 7:03 pm

      #EatAlltheGingerbread! Seriously. I love gingerbread and plan on making my own personal batch of these this weekend!

      Reply
      • Caroline's Cooking

        January 02, 2016 at 5:37 pm

        Thanks Christie, I hope you like them!

        Reply
    8. Analida's Ethnic Spoon

      December 29, 2015 at 7:24 pm

      5 stars
      I'll take a dozen of these please! Scones are one of my favorite breakfast foods!

      Reply
      • Caroline's Cooking

        December 29, 2015 at 8:32 pm

        Thanks, Analida - I do love scones too and these ones are tasty

        Reply
    9. Denise Wright

      December 29, 2015 at 4:55 pm

      I love scones! It the perfect thing to eat with tea or coffee in the morning or even in the afternoon. Gingerbread sounds wonderful!

      Reply
      • Caroline's Cooking

        December 29, 2015 at 8:30 pm

        Thanks Denise, we've been enjoying these the last couple afternoons - they went fast!

        Reply

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