Flaky Buttermilk Scones
Tender, flaky scones with a golden crust — perfect with clotted cream and jam
By RecipesQueen Kitchen • June 10, 2026
These buttermilk scones are impossibly tender and flaky, with layers that pull apart like a biscuit and a golden, buttery crust. Cold butter is essential — the steam from those cold butter pieces creates the flaky layers as the scones bake.
Handle the dough as little as possible; overworking it develops gluten, which makes scones tough.
Serve warm with clotted cream and strawberry jam, or drizzle with a simple lemon glaze.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/3 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp heavy cream for brushing
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- 2
Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut in cold butter until pea-sized crumbs remain.
- 3
Whisk buttermilk, egg, and vanilla. Pour into dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
- 4
Pat into a 3/4-inch thick circle. Cut into 8 wedges.
- 5
Brush tops with heavy cream. Bake 16-18 minutes until golden.
