You don't need to be serving high tea to enjoy these gluten free English scones. They bake up so tall and light and can be served any time of day with jam, clotted cream, butter, or just plain!
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I made it home from my trip to Disney World and am finally getting back into the swing of things! My daughter and I went and, aside from the heat, we had the BEST time!! I will be writing some posts about my dining experiences while there. Disney is THE place to be for food allergies, so if you haven't been you should really think of taking a trip there. Click here and at no additional cost to you, let a Disney travel agent help you plan your magical dream vacation.
On to the scones! For so long, I've wanted to try English style scones. They always look so good and so HIGH! They're like twice the height of a biscuit. So when I first made these scones, I really thought they looked super dry. Boy was I wrong! The scones were as light and airy as I could ever imagine, and I loved them instantly!! They weren't overly sweet either, like some American style scones can be. My gluten free biscuits are still the bomb, but these gluten free English scones definitely give them a run for their money!
How Do You Make Gluten Free English Scones?
Making these gluten free English scones is very similar to making biscuits, although I noticed the difference in that the butter is soft and room temperature instead of very cold.
- Begin with flour, sugar, and baking powder whisked together in a large bowl.
- Add softened butter and, using a fork or your fingers, rub the butter into flour mixture until the texture of fine breadcrumbs.
- Whisk eggs in separate bowl and combine with flour/butter mixture completely, but gently.
- Using a wooden spoon (or your hand), add half the milk and keep turning the mixture gently until a very soft, wet dough is formed. You may not need all of the milk (I used about ¾ of it).
- Sprinkle work surface with gluten free flour and dump dough out onto flour. Knead gently a few times until dough comes together and is no longer sticky. Don't overwork dough.
- Roll or pat dough into a one-inch thick round. With a small round biscuit cutter (I used the 2-inch size from this set {affiliate link}), press down and pull straight up (do NOT twist cutter).
- Place scones on parchment or Silpat-lined baking sheet about 2 inches apart.
- Add one egg to any remaining milk and whisk to combine. Brush mixture on top of each scone.
- Let scones rest to allow the baking powder to begin activating. You can do this while preheating your oven to 425 degrees.
- Bake scones for about 10-15 minutes (10 for smaller 2-inch scones, 15 or more for larger scones).
What Can English Scones Be Served With?
I would highly suggest trying clotted cream on your scones, and strawberry jam served on top. Clotted cream is similar to mascarpone cheese in texture, but it has its own unique flavor. It's cream that's been slowly heated over an extended period of time. The cream rises to the top and "clots." These "clots" are skimmed off the top and served with scones, berries, and desserts. It is DIVINE!!
Clotted cream is not that easy to find here in the states. Plus, if you do find it, it's outrageously expensive! Lucky for us, though, I've made it myself and it's as easy as can be to make. Check out the recipe here and you'll be on your way to making the best creamy spread to put on your scones in no time!
You don't have to be English to try these gluten free English scones, and you don't need to serve them at high tea. Eat them for breakfast or a light dessert or whenever you want, but just EAT them cuz you'll be hooked😋
Gluten Free English Scones
Ingredients
- 3 ½ cups (490 g) Kim's gluten free flour blend (or any flour blend of your choice with xanthan gum added)
- 5 ⅔ tbsp (80 g) softened butter
- ¼ cup plus 2 tbsp (80 g) granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 5 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 ½ cup (approx 250 ml) whole milk
- 1 egg beaten with any leftover milk
Instructions
- In large bowl, measure flour and add sugar and baking powder. Whisk to combine.
- Add butter and using either fork or hand, "rub" into flour mixture until mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Whisk 3 eggs in separate bowl and add to flour/butter mixture, stirring to combine (I used my hand for this process).
- Pour half the milk into the dough and using a wooden spoon (or your hand), gently mix dough, turning and moving from the bottom to make sure all flour is incorporated. You may need more milk to form a wet, sticky dough. (I used about ¾ of the milk, but it will depend on your climate).
- Sprinkle work surface with flour and dump dough out onto surface. Knead gently and briefly until a smooth dough forms. Pat dough into 1-inch thick round. Cut dough with biscuit (round) cutter about 2 inches in diameter (or larger if you prefer). Place scones on parchment-lined baking sheet 2 inches apart. Add 1 egg to any leftover milk and whisk to combine. Brush egg/milk mixture onto tops of scones. Let scones sit on baking sheet while you preheat the oven to 425° (this will allow the baking powder to begin activating).
- Bake scones for about 10 minutes for 2-inch scones, 15-20 minutes for larger size. Don't over bake. They will double or even triple in height and be very lightly browned.
- Serve with jam, clotted cream, butter, or simply plain. Enjoy!!
Cisca Hill says
Fantastic my hubby absolutely loved them. Many thanks for this recipe.
Kim says
That's awesome! It's my pleasure 😍
Seroya says
Hello
Thank you so much for this wonderful tasting GF Scone recipe!
When I saw your recipe, I tried it immediately and vóla😍 it came out fantastic👏
Keep up the good effort to advance gluten free Baking
Kim says
Awe, thank you so much!! I LOVE these scones and crave them constantly (especially with the clotted cream) 😋
Lois Schurek says
Forgot to rate this recipe!! Sorry!!!
Lois Schurek says
Love, Love, Loved this recipe. Most GF baking is best fresh, however, this recipe is excellent! Even better the next day!!! Thank you for sharing your work.
FATMA says
Hi Kim,
Thanks for this delicious recipe. My scones are too dense, i do not know which steps i made a mistake. How can i make them more fluffier.
Best wishes.
Kim says
It's possible you didn't add enough liquid.
Kim says
It's possible you didn't add enough liquid. Depending on the flour blend you used, you may need more or less and I'm guessing you will need more. You want the dough to be somewhat sticky when you first mix it because gluten free flours are notorious for sucking up liquid much more than regular (wheat) flour.
Deb Allen says
Can these be made in the traditional triangular shape?
Bethany says
Hi, just wondering how long these keep in the fridge after baking?
Thanks!
Jessica says
I am currently working on a mother daughter tea and a few of the girls are gluten free including myself. I stumbled on your site recently and thought I would give these a try since they looked wonderful and they did not disappoint. I can’t wait to have the girls try them. Thank you so much for sharing!! Can’t wait to try your other recipes!
Sarah Dowling says
I had made scones long before I found out I was celiac. For the past 7 years I’ve trying to recreate my favourite scone recipe and they just weren’t the same. I made your recipe this morning following it to a t even weighing my ingredients. The scones turned out perfect!! The dough actually formed like a full on gluten dough and kneaded nicely. The finished product was delicious and the inside of the scone was so similar to my gluten scone recipe I was used too. Thank you I’ll make these again and again.
Kim says
This is wonderful to hear!!! I haven't ever had a "proper" English scone from England and was nervous about whether these would be anything like it or not. I appreciate your kind words and your feedback 🥰
Jenn says
Does anyone know if these can be made with a dairy free milk like coconut milk or does it conflict the taste and ruin the texture?
Teresa Stoik says
Do you bake them at 425 or 450....it says both temperatures on different spots.
Thanks
Kim says
Oh, no! It's supposed to be 425 degrees F and I corrected it in the post. Thanks for catching that 😍
Claire says
Could you make the batter the night before and let it sit in the fridge?
Kim says
You certainly could, Claire 🙂
Ingvild Gråberg says
Hi Kim
Since milk powder is almost impossible to get hold of here in Norway, I tried to make scones with the bread flour blend. Unfortunately it didn’t come out very well. In your experience, what are the main differences between the two blends? Also regarding the taste of the final product.
Best regards, Ingvild
Kim says
Hi, Ingvild! My bread flour blend is meant to be used with things that you want more of a stretch and a tougher texture to, such as pizzas, rolls, anything that uses yeast, etc. My all purpose blend is more of a light, softer textured flour blend that works great in things like cookies, cakes, scones, biscuits, etc.
Are you able to get your hands on any other kind of milk powder in your country? Coconut, soy, or rice powdered milk are a few that come to mind for alternatives to regular powdered milk. I use soy milk powder when I want to make cookies for my daughter, who is vegan.
Ingvild Gråberg says
Thank you! Powdered rice milk is available here. Great tip 🙂 Best, Ingvild
Emerson merritt says
Can I add chocolate chips?
Kim says
Sure!
Jodie Simpson says
I made these for my friend is am and put partially thawed blueberries in the dough. I ate 1/2 on its own and 1/2 with raspberry jam. So good even plain. Thanks for the great tips on keeping them moister. I’d enclose a photo but I took them to Phyllis who was thrilled.
amelia says
Can I use the milk leftover from clotted cream recipe in this recipe?
Kim says
That's a great idea, Amelia! I wish I had thought of it 🙂
Happy Easter to you!
Leah says
Does it matter if it’s salted or unsalted butter?
Kim says
I personally like to use salted butter when baking, but it's really a matter of personal preference. The only time I use unsalted butter is in my gluten free croissants because they require a specific type of butter.
Leah W says
Hi! Question, which of your flour blends do you use for this recipe? Is it the regular or the bread? Thanks!
Kim says
The regular 😃
Linda Wilkins says
Sounds delicious! In order to make it dairy free could I substitute milk with almond or hemp milk and ghee or oil for the butter?
Kim says
Hi, Linda! I think you could substitute both, although if you're going to sub the butter with oil, I would stick with something like coconut oil that's solid at room temp. Otherwise, it may not blend in appropriately.
Let me know how it works 🙂
Suzanne says
My husband and boys are going to LOVE these! Thanks for the idea!!
Kim says
You're very welcome 🙂
Jean | Delightful Repast says
Kim, those look beautiful! I've been making scones all my life, and I can tell you how to save that last egg, which as you know, goes to waste for the most part! Just beat your 3 eggs together with 1 cup of the milk. Remove a tablespoon or so of the mixture to use later for brushing the tops. Then mix that into the dough, adding more plain milk as needed. That way, no milk or egg is wasted.
Kim says
Genius idea, Jean! Thanks so much for that 🙂
Pamela says
Kim- I’ve made these several times. Very good. Even made your clotted cream.
You inspired me to give a Tea Party.
These will be on the menu.
Can I ask, what one of your bread recipes would make the better Tea Sandwich.? I want soft bread for your typical egg and cucumber tea sandwich. To go along with these perfect scones!
You have so many breads to choose from.
BTW… I had never even heard of clotted cream. But made it. Yummy!
Kim says
Isn't it insanely good?!?! I could eat clotted cream by the spoonfuls haha!
I would suggest my gf sandwich bread recipe or gf sourdough sandwich bread recipe.