Easy Moist Apple Cinnamon Scones with Maple Glaze

Easy Moist Apple Cinnamon Scones with Maple Glaze

Why You Should Give This Recipe a Try

Moist, buttery cones bursting with chunks of apple and warm autumn spices make Easy Moist Apple Cinnamon Scones with Maple Glaze the perfect accompaniment for your morning cup of coffee or afternoon tea. Gone are the days of really heavy, dry scones that you have to force down with a cup of tea. These flaky scones are super moist and flavorful thanks to heavy cream, small pieces of really cold butter, and a hearty helping of heavy cream. Best of all, homemade scones are a great way to make use of all the fresh apples available at this time of year. So put on your apron and go bake yourself up a batch of delicious scones!

​Some of the best features of this recipe:

Chunks of frozen butter produce tons of flaky layers.

Crisp, juicy apples studded all throughout each scone.

Two topping options – either sprinkling of cinnamon sugar or a light glaze of maple syrup and powdered sugar.

​As always, this recipe is easy to make with no complicated techniques or fancy equipment. All of the ingredients are readily available in any grocery store. 

NOTE: This recipe was updated on 10-11-2024

Recipe Ingredients

Apple Cinnamon Scones:

2 cups all purpose flour

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground cloves

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/4 tsp allspice

1/2 cup butter very cold

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup light brown sugar

1 large egg

1/2 cup heavy cream + a few tablespoons for the topping

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 1/2 – 2 cups chopped apple (about 2 apples)

Maple Glaze: (Optional)

​3 tbsp butter

1/3 cup maple syrup

1 cup powdered sugar

Cinnamon Sugar Topping: (Optional)

3 tbsp granulated sugar

1/2 tsp cinnamon

Helpful Tools

Sharp knife (1 paring knife, 1 large knife)

Food processor (or pastry cutter and box grater)

​Small bowl

Large mixing bowl

Measuring cups

Measuring spoons

Wooden spoon

Pastry brush

Bench scraper

​Parchment paper

Mixing bowl for glaze, if using

Small container for cinnamon sugar, if using

Large spoon

Ingredient Notes

The best apples to use in this recipe are those that won’t fall apart when baking and that don’t add a lot of liquid to the batter. My preference is to mix Granny Smith apples with Gala apples (one of each), mixing tart apples and sweet apples. You can use one and one Gala apple (my option). You can also use just one kind of apple. 

Make sure you are using very cold ingredients. I place my butter in the freezer for about 20 minutes before beginning.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Peel and core the apples. Cut them into small cubes. Place in a small bowl and set aside.

2. Place the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, ground cloves, nutmeg, and allspice in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse 4-5 times to mix.

3. Cut the butter into tablespoon pieces and quarter them. Try to handle the butter as little as possible as you don’t want it to melt.

4. Add the butter to the flour mixture and pulse about 10 times. You want to preserve some pieces of butter – something a little less than the size of a pea – so don’t overdo it.

5. Set the flour mixture aside.

6. Put the granulated sugar, brown sugar, egg, heavy cream, and vanilla into a  large bowl and mix until combined.

7. Stir the flour mixture into the sugar mixture with a wooden spoon. The dough will be very sticky.

8. Add the apples and stir. It will become too difficult to combine with the spoon, so you can use your hands.

9. Lightly flour a work surface.

10. Turn out the dough onto the work surface. Lightly flour your hands and finish mixing the dough. Pat it into a discuss about 8 inches in diameter.

11. Using a large knife or a bench scraper, cut the dough into 8 even triangles.

12. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

13. Place the scones on the prepared baking sheet leaving an inch of two between each. A bench scraper or a sharp spatula can help move them from the counter to the tray.

14. Put the tray with the scones in the fridge for 30 minutes, or into the freezer for 15 minutes. 

16. Prepare the glaze – if using. Melt 3 tbsp of butter and add it to the powdered sugar and maple syrup. Mix until smooth. If it is too thin, add a little more powdered sugar. 

17. If using cinnamon sugar instead of the glaze, mix the sugar and cinnamon together in a small dish.

18. As you near the end of the chill time, preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

19. Brush the tops of the scones with a bit of heavy cream.

20. If you are not using the maple glaze, lightly sprinkle the surface with the cinnamon sugar.

21. Bake until golden brown, about 20-23 minutes.

22. Remove the scones to cool on a wire rack. 

23. Set up a baking tray lined with parchment paper under the wire rack if you are using the glaze.

24. Using a large spoon to drizzle the maple glaze over each scone.

Check out the printable recipe card below for easy step-by step directions!

Storage

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days. Place the container in the fridge to keep the scones up to 5 days. Warm the leftover scones in the microwave for a few seconds.

Freeze baked scones in an airtight container for up to 2 months. 

Tips & Tricks

Cold! Use cold butter, heavy cream, and an egg. It is important to preserve some pieces of butter if you want a tender scones!

Make sure you don’t skip the chill time! It will help the ensure a flaky scone and can cut down on spread while baking.

If you want perfectly triangular scones, use a bit less apple. Something between 1 cup and 1 1/4 cups works well. I prefer mine with the apple chunks, but the edges are definitely not neat.

FAQs

How can I mix the butter into the flour mixture without a food processor?

You can cut the butter into the flour by using two forks or a pastry cutter. Again, you want to leave small pieces of butter throughout the dough.

​Can I make the dough ahead of time?

​You can make the dough 24 hours in advance. I would recommend forming them into triangles and storing the unbaked scones, covered in plastic wrap, in the fridge.

Looking for more apple recipes after your success with Easy Moist Apple Cinnamon Scones with Maple Glaze? 

Give these a try:

Best Apple Coffee Cake with Cinnamon Crumb Topping

Puff Pastry Tarts with Homemade Apple Pie Filling