Scones: quick recipe without yeast

Homemade bread and a Vokshus bread bag on the worktop

Scones are for the day you didn't plan to bake. With no yeast and no rising, they are on the table in half an hour. The rule is simple: the butter must be cold, and the dough should hardly be kneaded.

Short answer: Rub 75 g cold butter into 400 g plain flour with 4 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt and 2 tbsp sugar. Stir in 250 ml milk, shape 8 scones and bake at 225 °C for 12 to 15 minutes.

Ingredients for 8 scones

  • 400 g plain flour
  • 4 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 75 g cold butter
  • 250 ml milk

How to bake scones

  1. 1
    Rub in the butter

    Mix the dry ingredients. Dice the butter and rub it in with your fingertips, until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs.

  2. 2
    Stir in the milk

    Pour in the milk and stir quickly with a fork. Stop as soon as the dough holds together. Too much work gives heavy scones.

  3. 3
    Shape

    Pat the dough into a round, about 3 cm thick, on a tray lined with baking paper. Cut it into 8 triangles.

  4. 4
    Bake

    Brush with a little milk and bake at 225 °C for 12 to 15 minutes, until golden. Serve them warm.

Storage

Scones are best on the day. The rest can be frozen once cold, and they keep well for 2 months. Warm them for a few minutes in the oven and they taste almost freshly baked. There is more on freezing small bakes in freezing buns, pastries and rolls.

Frequently asked questions

Why did the scones turn out flat?
The butter may have been too warm, or the baking powder old. Check the date on the packet.
Can I add raisins or cheese?
Yes. Fold in 100 ml raisins or grated cheese at the end.
Can I make the dough ahead?
You can mix the dry ingredients and butter the night before, and keep the mixture in the fridge. Stir in the milk just before baking.

For your baking

Bivoks™ bread bag299 NOK

Holds a large loaf or a batch of small bakes, and can go in both fridge and freezer.

See the bread bag →