Simple, Buttery Fruit Scones Recipe for a Sweet Breakfast Treat

Warm, buttery fruit scones have been a delightful companion to my afternoon tea adventures.

Memories of my grandmother’s kitchen flood back with each crumbly bite.

Tender pastries packed with sweet berries create pure comfort on lazy weekend mornings.

British baking traditions shine through these simple yet elegant treats.

Gentle mixing and careful folding ensure a light, delicate texture that melts in you mouth.

Quick preparation means you can enjoy fresh scones in under an hour.

Let’s bake something that will make your taste buds dance with joy.

Why Delia Smith Fruit Scones Are A Tea-Time Favorite

• Craft Quickly: These fruit scones come together with minimal ingredients and simple steps, perfect for bakers of all skill levels.
• Crowd-Pleaser: Packed with sweet dried fruits, these scones delight both kids and adults, making them ideal for family gatherings or afternoon tea.
• Versatile Treat: Enjoy warm straight from the oven or save for later – these scones work brilliantly as a breakfast, snack, or dessert companion.
• Budget-Friendly Baking: Using basic pantry staples, this recipe offers a delicious homemade treat without breaking the bank, allowing anyone to enjoy fresh-baked goodness.

What You’ll Need For Delia Smith Fruit Scones

• Plain Flour: The foundation for the scones, providing structure and texture.
• Baking Powder: Helps the scones rise and become light and fluffy.

• Butter: Adds rich flavor and creates a tender, crumbly texture in the scones.
• Sugar: Provides a subtle sweetness to balance the overall taste.

• Egg, Milk: Bind the ingredients together and add moisture to create a soft dough.
• Dried Fruit: Adds natural sweetness and interesting texture to the scones.

How To Bake Delia Smith Fruit Scones

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Get your oven warming to 220°C (or 425°F) and lightly grease two baking trays with butter or cooking spray.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, combine flour and baking powder, creating a smooth, even base for your scones.

Step 3: Create Crumbly Texture

Gently work cold butter into the flour mixture using your fingertips until it looks like rough breadcrumbs. This technique helps create those signature flaky layers.

Step 4: Add Sweet Touches

• Raisins
• Cranberries
• Currants
• Chopped apricots

Step 5: Prepare Liquid Mixture

Crack an egg into a measuring jug and whisk. Top up with milk until you reach 150ml of liquid.

Step 6: Form Scone Dough

Pour the liquid into dry ingredients and mix until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms. Don’t overmix to keep scones tender.

Step 7: Shape Scones

Transfer dough onto a lightly floured surface. Gently knead and roll to 1cm thickness. Use a round cutter to shape perfect circles.

Step 8: Prepare for Baking

Arrange scone rounds on prepared trays. Brush tops with extra milk for a beautiful golden finish.

Step 9: Bake to Perfection

Pop trays into the preheated oven and bake 10-12 minutes until scones rise and turn a gorgeous golden brown.

Step 10: Cool and Enjoy

Transfer scones to a wire rack. Let cool slightly and serve warm with butter, jam, or clotted cream.

Pro Tips For Fruit Scones That Rise Right

• Prevent Tough Scones: Gently mix the dough and avoid overworking to keep scones light and tender.
• Choose Fresh Fruit: Use high-quality dried fruits like currants, sultanas, or chopped apricots for maximum flavor.
• Perfect Milk Ratio: Measure egg and milk carefully to achieve the right dough consistency without making it too wet or dry.
• Get Golden Tops: Brush scones with milk before baking to create a beautiful, golden-brown surface that looks appetizing.
• Serve Fresh and Warm: Enjoy scones on the day they're baked for the best texture and taste, ideally served with clotted cream and jam.

Ways To Mix Up Fruit Scones

• Gluten-Free Scones: Replace wheat flour with gluten-free flour blend and add xanthan gum for better texture.
• Vegan Berry Scones: Swap egg and milk with almond milk, use coconut oil instead of butter, and add fresh berries for moisture.
• Savory Herb Scones: Remove sugar and dried fruit, add grated cheese, chopped herbs like rosemary or thyme, and ground black pepper for a savory version.
• Low-Sugar Option: Use stevia or monk fruit sweetener instead of sugar, reduce amount of dried fruit, and incorporate grated apple for natural sweetness.

What To Serve With Delia Smith Fruit Scones

• Pair with Clotted Cream: Spread rich, thick Cornish clotted cream on warm scones for a classic British indulgence that melts perfectly into the tender crumb.
• Match with Earl Grey Tea: Brew a fragrant cup of Earl Grey tea with bergamot notes that complement the sweet dried fruit and buttery texture of the scones.
• Enhance with Berry Jam: Top scones with homemade strawberry or raspberry jam for a burst of fruity sweetness that highlights the dried fruit inside the pastry.
• Serve with Butter and Honey: Drizzle local honey over softened butter for a simple yet luxurious topping that adds golden sweetness to the freshly baked scones.

How To Store Delia Smith Fruit Scones

• Store scones in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Wrap each scone individually in plastic wrap to maintain moisture and prevent drying out.
• Place cooled scones in a freezer-safe bag or container. Seal tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Label with the date to track freshness.
• Remove scones from freezer and let sit at room temperature for 1-2 hours. Alternatively, microwave for 20-30 seconds on low power to gently warm.
• Warm scones in a preheated oven at 160C for 5-7 minutes. Brush with a little milk before reheating to restore softness and prevent cracking.

FAQs About Delia Smith Fruit Scones

• What are the key ingredients for fruit scones?

The key ingredients are flour, baking powder, butter, sugar, dried fruit, egg, and milk. These create a soft, delicious scone with a light texture and sweet fruit flavor.

• Can I use fresh fruit instead of dried fruit?

Fresh fruit can make scones soggy, so it’s best to stick with dried fruit like raisins, currants, or cranberries. Dried fruit helps maintain the scone’s texture and prevents excess moisture.

• How do I know when the scones are perfectly baked?

Look for a golden-brown top and risen appearance. When they’re lightly golden and have risen about 1-2 cm, they’re ready to come out of the oven. The edges should look set and slightly crisp.

Fruit Scones Recipe

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4.6 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 25-27 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Delightful “Fruit Scones” bring British countryside charm to your breakfast table, offering a perfect balance of sweet berries and buttery pastry. Crumbly, golden edges and a tender center invite you to savor each delectable bite of this classic British treat.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 225 grams (8 ounces) self-raising flour
• 1 large egg
• 50 grams (2 ounces) butter

Fruit and Sweeteners:

• 50 grams (2 ounces) mixed dried fruit
• 25 grams (1 ounce) caster sugar

Leavening Agents:

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

Liquid:

• Milk (to make up 150 milliliters with egg)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven by heating to 220°C and lightly grease two baking trays with butter or cooking spray.
2. In a large mixing bowl, sift together flour and baking powder to ensure smooth, lump-free texture.
3. Incorporate cold butter into the dry ingredients using fingertips, gently crumbling until the mixture resembles coarse sandy texture.
4. Sprinkle sugar and dried fruit into the crumbly mixture, distributing evenly throughout.
5. Crack an egg into a measuring jug and whisk, then supplement with milk to reach 150ml total liquid volume.
6. Pour liquid ingredients into dry mixture, stirring gently with a wooden spoon until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms.
7. Transfer dough onto a lightly floured surface, and gently knead for just a few seconds to bring together.
8. Using a rolling pin, flatten dough to approximately 1cm thickness, maintaining an even surface.
9. Select a 5cm round cutter and press firmly into dough, creating clean-edged scone shapes.
10. Arrange cut scones onto prepared baking trays, leaving small gaps between each piece.
11. Delicately brush scone tops with additional milk to promote golden browning.
12. Bake in preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, watching for risen, golden-brown appearance.
13. Remove from oven and transfer immediately to a wire cooling rack to prevent soggy bottoms.
14. Serve warm or at room temperature on the same day for optimal freshness and texture.

Notes

• Flour Temperature Matters: Let your flour sit at room temperature before starting to ensure even mixing and better texture.
• Gentle Mixing Technique: Mix ingredients minimally to keep scones tender and prevent developing tough gluten.
• Fruit Selection Flexibility: Swap dried fruits based on preference – try cranberries, sultanas, or chopped apricots for variety.
• Cold Butter Advantage: Use chilled butter and work quickly when rubbing into flour to create flakier, lighter scones.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: British

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 166 kcal
• Sugar: 7 g
• Sodium: 210 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 37 mg