Blueberry Scones

These blueberry scones are crisp on the outside, moist and buttery in the middle, and bursting with juicy berries. Perfect for breakfast or brunch!

Blueberry scones

The best scones are buttery, flaky, and moist inside. They’re crisp and crumbly around the edges, perfect for pairing with a cup of coffee or tea.

Scones can get a bad rap for being bland or dry (my husband Jack swore he didn’t like them for years), but when they’re prepared well, they shouldn’t be either of those things.

I’m sharing my favorite blueberry scones recipe below. It’s easy to make with 10 basic ingredients, and it yields tender, flavorful, bakery-worthy scones every time.

If you’re on the fence about scones, I think it’ll win you over. Even Jack will tell you that these blueberry scones are delicious for breakfast or brunch!

And tip: They’re not just good with blueberries. Find ideas for other mix-ins later on in this post!

How to make scones - working grated butter into flour mixture

How to Make Scones

This blueberry scones recipe starts with 10 basic ingredients:

Blueberry Scones Ingredients

  • All-purpose flourSpoon and level it to avoid packing too much into your measuring cup.
  • Cane sugar – For sweetness. I also sprinkle coarse sugar on top of the scones to create a crisp, golden brown crust.
  • Baking powder and an egg – To help the scones puff up as they bake.
  • Frozen butter – Yes, frozen! It won’t melt until you get the scones in the oven, which makes them tender and flaky. You’ll grate it on the large holes of a box grater before adding it to the scone dough.
  • Buttermilk – For moisture, richness, and a slightly tangy flavor. See alternatives in the callout below.
  • Blueberries – Fresh and frozen berries both work well here. Other add-ins are fair game too. Find my favorites under “Scone Flavor Variations” later on in this post.
  • Vanilla extract – For warm depth of flavor.
  • And sea salt – To make all the flavors pop!

Find the complete recipe with measurements below.

Buttermilk Alternatives

I love using buttermilk in these blueberry scones. It adds rich, tangy flavor in addition to moisture, and its acidity helps the scones rise.

But if you don’t keep it on hand, that’s ok! Here are a few alternatives:

  • Heavy cream
  • Full-fat coconut milk
  • A scant 1/2 cup milk mixed with 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice. Set the mixture aside for 5 minutes to thicken before adding it to the dough.

Tossing blueberries with butter and flour mixture

Preparing the Dough

To make these blueberry scones, start by whisking together the dry ingredients—the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

Next, grate the frozen butter on the large holes of a box grater. Use your hands to work the butter shreds into the flour until the mixture looks like a coarse meal. You want some of the butter to stay in larger pieces. When they melt in the oven, they’ll give the scones a flaky texture.

Add the blueberries to the flour mixture and toss to distribute.

Adding wet ingredients to scone dough

Then, add the wet ingredients. Whisk together the buttermilk, egg, and vanilla in a medium bowl, and pour them over the flour mixture.

Mixing scone dough with spatula in mixing bowl

Use a spatula to mix until a shaggy dough forms. Then, switch to your hands and work in any remaining dry flour.

The dough should be soft, but not sticky. If it feels sticky, work in a little more flour. If it feels dry, work in a bit more buttermilk.

How to make scones - Forming dough into disk

Shaping the Scones

Form the dough into a ball and transfer it to a lightly floured surface.

Flatten it into a 7- to 8-inch disk about 1 inch thick.

Use a sharp knife to cut the dough into 8 equal wedges.

Slicing blueberry scones

Baking the Scones

Freeze the scones while you preheat the oven. Place them on a large plate or baking sheet and freeze for 15 minutes to chill the butter. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400°F.

Then, bake the scones. Remove them from the freezer, brush with buttermilk, and sprinkle with coarse sugar.

Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake until golden brown, 18 to 27 minutes.

Transfer to a wire rack to cool, or enjoy warm with butter, jam, honey, or lemon curd. These blueberry scones are also delicious plain!

Blueberry scones on baking sheet

Blueberry Scone Recipe Tips

  • Use grated frozen butter. Like a good pie crust, the best scones are flaky. They get this delicious texture when small pieces of butter in the dough melt in the oven, creating air pockets. If the butter melts before the scones go into the oven, while you’re working with the dough, these pockets won’t form. For perfect flaky scones, I use the same trick I did to make the flaky biscuits in my blueberry cobbler recipe: frozen grated butter. It’s very cold, and the small shreds don’t require much handling, so they won’t melt until they’re in the oven.
  • Freeze the scones before baking. It cools down the butter after you’ve worked it into the dough. Remember, cold butter=light and flaky scones.
  •  Work in more liquid or flour if necessary. If your scone dough feels too sticky or dry, don’t hesitate to add more flour or liquid, respectively. The exact ratio you’ll need can vary based on factors like the humidity in your kitchen, whether you’re using buttermilk or cream, etc. Just add a little at a time until you have a soft, workable dough.

Blueberry scones with glaze

Scone Flavor Variations

I love the juicy blueberries in these scones, but lots of other add-ins would work in this recipe! Feel free to use it as template to make any flavor of scone.

Here are a few of my favorite variations:

  • Lemon blueberry – Whisk 1 tablespoon lemon zest into the wet ingredients. Drizzle the scones with my easy lemon glaze.
  • Chocolate chip – Add a pinch of nutmeg to the dry ingredients. Replace the berries with 1/2 cup chocolate chips.
  • Currant or raisin – Add a pinch of cinnamon to the dry ingredients. Replace the berries with 1/2 cup dried currants or raisins.
  • Cranberry orange – Whisk 1 tablespoon orange zest into the wet ingredients. Replace the berries with 1/2 cup chopped dried cranberries.

Let me know what variations you try!

How to Freeze Scones

Once baked, scones keep well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.

You can also freeze them. Seal baked scones in an airtight container or bag, and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let thaw at room temperature, or quickly defrost in the microwave.

Another option is to freeze the scones before baking. Freeze them for 1 hour on a plate or baking sheet. Then, store them in an airtight container or bag in the freezer for up to 3 months. Bake them straight from frozen, adding a minute or two to the baking time if needed.

With scone dough in the freezer, you can treat yourself to a freshly baked scone anytime you like!

Scones recipe

More Favorite Baking Recipes

If you love this recipe, try one of these easy baked goods next:

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Blueberry Scones

rate this recipe:
4.84 from 108 votes
Prep Time: 40 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Serves 8
Buttery, flaky, and crisp around the edges, these easy scones are a delicious treat for breakfast or brunch. Feel free to experiment with different add-ins and flavors. Find my favorites in the blog post above!

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
  • ¼ cup cane sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, 1 stick, frozen
  • 1½ cups blueberries
  • ½ cup cold buttermilk, plus more for brushing*
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Coarse sugar, for sprinkling, optional

Instructions

  • Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
  • On the large holes of a box grater, grate the frozen butter. Add to the flour mixture and toss to coat. Use your hands to work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles a coarse meal. Add the blueberries and toss to incorporate.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, egg, and vanilla, if using. Pour over the flour mixture and use a spatula to mix until a shaggy dough forms. Knead with your hands to incorporate any remaining dry flour. The dough should feel soft but not sticky. If it’s sticky, work in a bit more flour. If it’s dry, drizzle in a little more buttermilk. Form the dough into a ball.
  • Transfer the dough ball to a lightly floured surface and form it into a 7- to 8-inch disk about 1 inch thick. Slice into 8 equal wedges and transfer to the prepared baking sheet.
  • Freeze the scones for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400°F.
  • Remove the scones from the freezer and brush with buttermilk. Sprinkle with coarse sugar, if using. Bake for 18 to 27 minutes, or until golden brown on top.
  • Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Notes

*If you don't keep buttermilk on hand, substitute heavy cream or full-fat coconut milk. Another simple substitute is a scant 1/2 cup milk mixed with 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice. Set the mixture aside for 5 minutes to thicken before adding to the dough.

 

188 comments

4.84 from 108 votes (30 ratings without comment)

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  1. Cyndi Vincent
    05.05.2024

    Scones have become my go to breakfast treat! I made the recipe and added lemon zest/juice. So delicious and perfect crumble.

    • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
      05.10.2024

      Hi Cyndi, so glad you loved them!

  2. Lisa Strehlau
    05.05.2024

    5 stars
    Amazing! I made these yesterday and they are delicious! My husband kept making yum noises while eating them haha

    • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
      05.10.2024

      Hi Lisa, ha! So glad you both loved the scones.

  3. 5 stars
    I made these today. I will send an email & tag on Instagram. They’re so delicious. I did whole wheat flour, added Cinammon and lemon zest. I squeezed fresh lemon on the dough before baking along with sugar on top.
    Thank you for sharing this recipe!

    • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
      05.10.2024

      Hi Kristen, I’m so glad you loved them! That variation sounds delicious!

  4. Hilary Kenny
    05.04.2024

    5 stars
    Delicious! I sprinkled tops with vanilla sugar (Pocket full of starlight from beautiful briny sea). So good. My blueberries kept exploding when I was shaping the scones so maybe next time I’ll freeze them first. We loved them!!

  5. Lisa LeCoump
    05.04.2024

    5 stars
    Love this recipe! Perfect for spring. And the detailed photos made it really easy.

  6. Will P
    05.04.2024

    5 stars
    I made these today and they were delicious! I added lemon zest to the dough and lemon juice to the frosting and it paired perfectly with the blueberries. The entire family loved these 🙂

  7. Christine Hawley
    05.04.2024

    So Yummy! I made it vegan this morning with Myokos butter and JustEgg. Also choose the lemon blueberry option. Dreamy!

  8. Liana from inlianaskitchen%20Instagram
    05.03.2024

    5 stars
    I love the photos featured in this recipe because it helped make the steps extra clear and I came out with the most beautifully shaped scones!

    • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
      05.03.2024

      Hi Liana, I’m so glad they were helpful!

  9. Lisa S
    05.02.2024

    Hi just wondering if you’ve ever tried to make these as mini-scones? I’m needing a small bite item and these sound delicious!

    • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
      05.03.2024

      Hi Lisa, we never have, but I think it would work! I’d divide the dough in half and form it into two 1-inch-thick disks, then cut those disks into 6 wedges each. Start checking them after 12 minutes in the oven. I think they’ll take about 15 to 17. I hope you enjoy!

      • Lisa S
        05.05.2024

        5 stars
        That worked perfectly! Everyone enjoyed them – I got a lot of complements. The only problem was there weren’t any leftover to take home 🙂

        • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
          05.10.2024

          Great! So glad everyone enjoyed the mini scones.

  10. Jess
    05.02.2024

    these look so delicious! i’ve never been much of a scone girl but this recipe inspired me to try making them. thank you so much for that!

    • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
      05.02.2024

      Hi Jess, I hope you love them!

  11. T
    05.02.2024

    5 stars
    I’ve already had to make these twice in two weeks because my family is obsessed – I added in an unflavored vegetarian protein powder to make them more suitable for breakfast and used the Trader Joe’s vegan whipping cream to suit the dairy sensitivities and they are a HUGE winner!

    • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
      05.02.2024

      Hi T, so amazing to hear! I’m glad your family loves the recipe.

  12. Daphnée
    04.23.2024

    5 stars
    I made it tonight and the scones were DELICIOUS!!! I made them blueberry lemon, with a lemon icing and it was heavens. 10/10 will make again.

  13. Colleen
    04.21.2024

    5 stars
    Made these this morning and they are delicious. I also made your lemon curd which again, incredibly delicious. Thanks for the recipes

  14. Diane Perris
    04.15.2024

    5 stars
    Just made these tonight and they came out exactly as described, super tender and bursting with blueberries. Loved the crunchy edges. Personally I prefer scones with a bit more heft but that is not a criticism, just personal preference.
    I will say, though, and again this is just my opinion, that I am not a fan of the “grate the frozen butter” instruction that’s been showing up a lot in baking recipes. It makes a huge mess of your box grater, it’s awkward to do, t he butter sticks to the grater, and the shreds end up in a big clump in the bowl anyway. From now on I’m just going to treat this instruction like a pastry recipe: cut very cold butter into small pieces and work it into the dry ingredients. I ended up doing that with half of the butter in this recipe because I got annoyed with the grating, and they still came out just fine. Also I’d go with one cup of blueberries vs. 1 1/2. But even with all that I”m still very happy with them.

  15. Georgina
    04.15.2024

    Recipe sounds lovely. BUT PLEASE would you give the ingredients in metric as well. Can’t be doing with all the conversions

    • Diane
      04.15.2024

      Hey Georgina, maybe this will help. I don’t know what kind of AP you use but I use King Arthur and 1 cup is 120 gr. so 2 is 240. 50 gr. of sugar, 113 gr. of butter, 120 gr. of blueberries. If you can convert grams to mls. the buttermilk is 100 gr.

  16. Crystal Cason
    04.15.2024

    Can you replace the all purpose flour with almond flour?

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      04.20.2024

      Hi Crystal, no, it’s not a 1:1 swap.

  17. Marie
    04.14.2024

    Curious if you can use dried blueberries in this recipe?

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      04.20.2024

      Hi Marie, yep, I think they would be great.

  18. Lon
    04.03.2022

    The blueberry scones turned out excellent. It was my first time making any baked goods. My wife couldn’t believe how well they turned out as well as the remarkable flavor.

    EXCELLENT RECIPE AND INSTRUCTIONS!!!

    Thank You, Lon

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      04.05.2022

      I’m so glad you enjoyed them!

  19. Rachel
    03.26.2022

    4 stars
    I just made tried this recipe this morning (3/26/22) and loved it! Although my dough was falling apart, first time to work on dough, tried so hard to combine them together.
    So here’s my observations: need help to work on dough, taste is just perfecr, not too sweet; scones came out a little dry.

    Can I use frozen blueberries? I used fresh one and they were a little tart but that’s fine with me.

    I took picture of the product but no place to post here.

    Thank you!

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      03.27.2022

      Hi Rachel, I’m glad you enjoyed them. If the dough is too crumbly to work with, you could try adding a little bit of cold water. I haven’t tried these with frozen blueberries, but I think that should be fine.

  20. Soula
    02.13.2022

    5 stars
    These are delicious!! I make them often! Is it possible to get the calories per scone?

    • Joseph Anthony Brown
      03.07.2023

      Look up the calories of the individual ingredients and add them up. That is your most accurate determination.

A food blog with fresh, zesty recipes.
Photograph of Jeanine Donofrio and Jack Mathews in their kitchen

Hello, we're Jeanine and Jack.

We love to eat, travel, cook, and eat some more! We create & photograph vegetarian recipes from our home in Chicago, while our shiba pups eat the kale stems that fall on the kitchen floor.