Indulge in Homemade Bliss: Flaky Caramel Apple Scones with Buttery Glaze
There’s an undeniable magic that happens when crisp, sweet-tart apples meet a rich, buttery caramel glaze, especially when nestled within a perfectly flaky scone. Caramel Apple Scones are not just a treat; they are an experience – a warm, comforting hug in baked form. These tender, golden-brown scones, generously studded with vibrant chunks of apple, are elevated to extraordinary heights with a luscious, homemade caramel drizzle. It’s perfectly acceptable, even encouraged, to fall completely head over heels for these irresistible baked goods. In fact, I’ve cherished a deep affection for them for as long as I can remember.
As the leaves begin to turn and a crispness fills the air, our thoughts often drift to comforting fall flavors. And what captures the essence of autumn better than the delightful combination of fresh apples and rich caramel? This recipe for homemade Caramel Apple Scones brings together the best of seasonal produce with the cozy indulgence of baking from scratch. Imagine waking up to the aroma of these freshly baked treats, their warmth filling your kitchen, promising a delightful start to any day. They’re ideal for a leisurely breakfast, a decadent brunch, or a comforting afternoon tea.
My Unapologetic Apple Baking Obsession
You might recall that I recently shared another fantastic apple recipe not too long ago. There’s a simple, yet irresistible, explanation for this: I often buy apples with the best intentions of eating them fresh, envisioning them as my healthy snacks. These are what I affectionately call my “good intention apples.” However, as soon as they enter my kitchen, my baking brain kicks in. Suddenly, my fresh eating plans go right out the window, replaced by an urgent desire to transform them into delicious baked goods. For me, apples are truly a delightful gateway drug to all things baked and wonderful!
I probably should be a little embarrassed to admit this, but several years ago, long before I even considered starting a food blog, I kept a running list on my phone of all the things I desperately wanted to eat. I’m a habitual list-maker, you see. This particular list, my very first, was almost exclusively dedicated to different types of scones I wanted to create and devour. If you’ve ever peeked at my “Let’s Get Sconed” Pinterest board, you’ll quickly realize that I harbor a slight, okay, maybe not-so-slight, obsession with scones.
This detailed scone list, meticulously curated on my phone, should have been a clear indicator of my future culinary path. I mean, it’s probably not normal to categorize scone flavor combinations, but here we are! Anyway, right at the very top of my ultimate scone crush list were these very caramel apple scones. Since that day they were added to the list, I have baked these scones countless times, and my love for them only grows with each batch. They consistently deliver that perfect blend of sweet and tangy, tender and flaky, making them an enduring favorite.
The Irresistible Allure of Caramel Apple Scones
How can anyone resist fluffy, tender scones, generously studded with juicy chunks of sweet-tart apple, all crowned with a luscious, buttery homemade caramel glaze? It’s a symphony of textures and flavors. The scone itself boasts a delightful crumb, yielding just enough to reveal pockets of soft, baked apple. But oh, that caramel glaze! My gosh, it’s truly a masterpiece on its own. It’s so rich, so smooth, and so perfectly balanced with a hint of salt that I could (and definitely have) eaten it straight with a spoon. It transforms an already delicious scone into an extraordinary indulgence.
While I believe that most scones pair beautifully with a warm cup of tea, a Caramel Apple Scone alongside a steaming cuppa is simply true love, forever. It’s a pairing that transcends trends, always remaining exquisitely delicious and feeling wonderfully indulgent. The warmth of the tea complements the cozy flavors of the apple and caramel, creating a moment of pure bliss. This combination offers a delightful escape, a small luxury that makes any day feel special.
A Note About Choosing Apples for Perfect Caramel Apple Scones
In many of my other apple recipes, such as my mini apple tarts, apple upside down gingerbread, and the apple bacon cheese muffins I just posted the other week, you’ll find that I wholeheartedly recommend Gala apples. They are wonderfully sweet and hold their shape beautifully. However, for these specific Caramel Apple Scones, I’m going to make a different recommendation: opt for a Jonathan or a Granny Smith apple, and I’ll tell you precisely why.
To truly achieve that characteristic sweet-but-tart caramel apple flavor that makes this treat so special, a more tart apple works wonders. The acidity in a Jonathan or Granny Smith apple provides a crucial counterpoint to the richness and sweetness of the brown sugar in the scone and, especially, the luscious caramel glaze. This balance enhances the overall flavor combination, preventing the scones from being overly sweet and instead creating a complex, satisfying taste. The tartness cuts through the richness, leaving a bright, clean finish that makes you crave another bite.
Of course, if you’re simply using up the apples you happen to have on hand, please feel free to use whatever baking apples you prefer. Many varieties will work. But if you’re making a special trip to the grocery store specifically to create these phenomenal scones, I highly recommend you pick up Jonathan or Granny Smith apples for the best possible flavor experience. Their firm texture also ensures they don’t turn to mush during baking, maintaining delightful apple chunks within your flaky scones.
Tips for Baking the Best Flaky Scones
Creating perfect, tender, and flaky scones isn’t difficult, but a few key techniques can make all the difference. Remember these tips for the best Caramel Apple Scones:
- Keep Ingredients Cold: This is paramount for flaky scones. Ensure your butter is very cold, straight from the fridge, and cut into small pieces. Some even chill their flour and mixing bowl! Cold butter creates steam as it bakes, resulting in those lovely, flaky layers.
- Don’t Overmix: Mix the scone dough just until the wet and dry ingredients are combined and a cohesive dough forms. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, leading to tough scones instead of tender ones. A light hand is your best friend here.
- Work Quickly: The less you handle the dough, the better. Your hands warm up the butter, which we want to avoid. Work efficiently to mix, shape, and cut the scones.
- Buttermilk is Key: Buttermilk adds a slight tang and helps create a tender crumb due to its acidity reacting with the baking powder. If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make a substitute by adding a tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to regular milk and letting it sit for 5-10 minutes.
- Slight Separation Before Baking: As indicated in the recipe, separating the wedges slightly before baking helps them achieve a crispier edge while still retaining their soft interior.
Serving Suggestions and Storage
While a cup of hot tea is my personal favorite companion for these Caramel Apple Scones, they are incredibly versatile. Enjoy them warm for breakfast, as a delightful addition to a weekend brunch spread, or as a decadent dessert after dinner. They also make a fantastic afternoon snack, especially when you need a little pick-me-up. For an extra treat, consider serving them with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
These Caramel Apple Scones are undeniably at their absolute best on the day they are made. The scones are most tender, and the homemade caramel glaze is at its most lustrous and gooey. However, they will keep beautifully for 2-3 days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. Do note that over time, the caramel glaze will naturally harden slightly and lose some of its initial shine, but the flavor will remain just as delicious. If you wish to warm them gently before serving on subsequent days, a few seconds in the microwave can revive their tender texture.
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Ready to bring the comforting flavors of autumn into your kitchen? This Caramel Apple Scone recipe is surprisingly simple to make and yields incredibly rewarding results. Gather your ingredients, follow these straightforward steps, and prepare to fall in love with your new favorite fall treat. Happy baking!
Caramel Apple Scones
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Ingredients
For the scones
- 2 cups flour (all purpose unbleached)
- 1 Tablespoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar (packed)
- 6 Tablespoons butter (cold)
- 1 cup apple (finely chopped)
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the caramel glaze
- 1 cup light brown sugar (packed)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and prepare a baking sheet with a nonstick silicone baking mat or parchment paper.
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In a medium sized mixing bowl, add the flour, baking powder, salt, and brown sugar. Stir to combine. Cut the cold butter into small pieces and add the to the flour mixture. Using a pastry blender or your fingers, cut the butter into the flour mixture until the mixture is coarse and crumbly with no pieces of butter left larger than pea sized.
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Add to this mixture the chopped apple, buttermilk, egg and vanilla. Stir until the liquids are completely incorporated and the mixture begins to come together into a dough.
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Lightly sprinkle flour onto the counter and turn the dough out, kneading it lightly a couple times. Shape the dough into a 9 inch round and place on the baking sheet. Using a sharp knife, cut the dough into 8 wedges. Separate the scones slightly.
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Bake at 400 degrees for 18-22 minutes or until the scones are golden brown on top. Remove to a wire rack to cool and place the lined baking tray under the cooling rack. (This will catch the caramel drips later.)
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To prepare the caramel glaze, heat the sugar, butter, and milk in a small saucepan until the mixture comes to a boil. Boil for one minute and then remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla. Allow the glaze to sit for a few minutes to cool and thicken up.
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Once the scones have cooled and the glaze is cool enough that it won’t burn you, drizzle the glaze over the tops of the scones.