If you’re looking for the perfect holiday treat to enjoy with your morning coffee or tea, these Gingerbread Scones are exactly what you need. Soft, tender, and packed with warm spices like ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg, these scones are the ultimate festive breakfast or snack. The addition of molasses gives them a rich, deep flavor, and the touch of glaze on top adds just the right amount of sweetness. They’re not only delicious but also easy to make—perfect for holiday gatherings or a cozy day at home.
What makes these scones so special is the balance of spicy warmth and sweetness. The ginger and cinnamon fill the kitchen with an irresistible aroma as they bake, and the molasses adds a comforting depth of flavor that screams holiday cheer. Topped with a simple glaze, these scones are the perfect combination of flaky, soft, and slightly sweet. Whether you’re hosting a holiday brunch, enjoying a quiet morning, or gifting a homemade treat, these Gingerbread Scones will surely be a hit!
I first made these Gingerbread Scones when I was looking for a holiday treat that wasn’t too heavy but still filled with all the wonderful flavors of the season. After one bite, I was hooked! The combination of spices and molasses made them feel like a perfect holiday indulgence, and the texture of the scones was just right—crispy on the outside, soft and tender on the inside. These scones are now a holiday tradition in our house, and they never last long!
Why These Gingerbread Scones Will Be Your New Favorite Holiday Treat
- Festive and spiced: The perfect balance of ginger, cinnamon, and molasses gives these scones a warm, cozy flavor that’s perfect for the holidays.
- Flaky and tender: These scones have the ideal texture—crispy on the outside, soft and moist on the inside.
- Quick and easy: With just a few simple ingredients, these scones come together in no time and require minimal effort.
- Perfect for any occasion: Whether it’s a holiday breakfast, afternoon tea, or a sweet gift, these scones are a versatile and delightful treat.
How to Make Gingerbread Scones
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- Cut in the butter: Add the cold cubed butter to the flour mixture. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add wet ingredients: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the molasses, milk, egg, and vanilla extract until combined. Pour this mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. If you’re using crystallized ginger, fold it in at this stage.
- Shape the dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Gently knead the dough a few times until it comes together. Pat the dough into a circle about 1-inch thick. Cut the dough into 8 wedges and place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each one.
- Bake the scones: Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the scones are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Make the glaze: While the scones are cooling, make the glaze by whisking together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Glaze the scones: Once the scones have cooled slightly, drizzle the glaze over the top of each scone.
- Serve and enjoy: Serve warm with a cup of coffee or tea, and enjoy the comforting flavors of these festive Gingerbread Scones!
Tips
- For extra flaky scones, make sure to use cold butter and avoid overworking the dough.
- You can make the scone dough ahead of time, freeze it, and bake the scones fresh when needed. Just cut the dough into wedges, freeze them on a baking sheet, and store in a freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.
- If you don’t have molasses, you can substitute with maple syrup or honey, though the flavor will be slightly different.
- If you prefer a thicker glaze, add more powdered sugar to achieve your desired consistency.
Substitutions and Variations
- Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to make these scones gluten-free.
- Dairy-Free: Substitute the butter with a dairy-free butter and use almond milk or oat milk in place of the whole milk for a dairy-free version.
- Spicy Variation: Add a pinch of ground cloves or allspice for a different depth of spice.
- Nuts: Add chopped walnuts or pecans for added texture and flavor.
- Less Sweet: Skip the glaze for a less sweet, more traditional scone.
Make a Healthier Version
- Lower Sugar: Use a sugar substitute like stevia or monk fruit in place of granulated sugar to reduce the sweetness.
- Lower Fat: Use a light butter or coconut oil in place of regular butter to reduce the fat content.
- Whole Wheat: Use whole wheat flour in place of all-purpose flour for a more wholesome, fiber-rich scone.
And there you have it! These Gingerbread Scones are a perfect combination of sweet, spicy, and flaky goodness. Whether you’re serving them for a holiday breakfast, enjoying them with tea, or gifting them to friends and family, these scones are sure to be a hit. Don’t forget to let us know how your scones turn out, and be sure to check out some of our other delicious holiday recipes!
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I make these scones ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the dough ahead of time and freeze it, or store the baked scones in an airtight container for up to 3 days. - Can I use a different sweetener instead of granulated sugar?
Yes, you can substitute with brown sugar, maple syrup, or a sugar substitute of your choice. - How do I store leftover scones?
Store leftover scones in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also freeze them for up to a month. - Can I use all-purpose flour instead of whole wheat flour?
Yes! You can use all-purpose flour if you prefer a lighter texture. - Can I make these scones without the glaze?
Absolutely! The scones are delicious on their own, or you can skip the glaze if you prefer a less sweet version.
Gingerbread Scones
Course: All Word Recipes4
servings30
minutes40
minutes300
kcal0
minutesKeep the screen of your device on
Ingredients
For the scones:
2 cups 2 all-purpose flour
1/3 cup 1/3 granulated sugar
2 tsp 2 baking powder
1/2 tsp 1/2 baking soda
1 1/2 tsp 1 1/2 ground ginger
1 tsp 1 ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp 1/4 ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp 1/4 salt
1/2 cup 1/2 unsalted butter, cold and cut into small cubes
1/4 cup 1/4 molasses
1/4 cup 1/4 whole milk (or heavy cream for extra richness)
1 large 1 egg
1 tsp 1 vanilla extract
1/2 cup 1/2 chopped crystallized ginger (optional, for added texture)
For the glaze (optional):
1/2 cup 1/2 powdered sugar
1 tbsp 1 milk
1/2 tsp 1/2 vanilla extract
Directions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- Cut in the butter: Add the cold cubed butter to the flour mixture. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add wet ingredients: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the molasses, milk, egg, and vanilla extract until combined. Pour this mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. If you’re using crystallized ginger, fold it in at this stage.
- Shape the dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Gently knead the dough a few times until it comes together. Pat the dough into a circle about 1-inch thick. Cut the dough into 8 wedges and place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each one.
- Bake the scones: Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the scones are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Make the glaze: While the scones are cooling, make the glaze by whisking together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Glaze the scones: Once the scones have cooled slightly, drizzle the glaze over the top of each scone.
- Serve and enjoy: Serve warm with a cup of coffee or tea, and enjoy the comforting flavors of these festive Gingerbread Scones!
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