Meta Description: Bake the perfect batch of tender, flaky blueberry almond scones. This easy recipe uses simple ingredients for a delicious, bakery-style treat. Ideal for breakfast or a cozy afternoon snack.
I’ll never forget the first time I attempted to bake a scone. I was in college, desperately missing the comforts of home, and I had this romanticized idea of making a beautiful, rustic pastry. I followed a recipe I found online, using a stick of butter that I’m pretty sure was not cold enough, and with flour scattered everywhere like a mini snowstorm. The result? Dense, hockey-puck-like creations that were a far cry from the light, flaky treats I’d envisioned. I tried to salvage them with jam, but it was no use. They were a culinary failure.
But I’m not one to give up on a good scone. Over the years, I learned the secrets: cold butter, a light touch, and the right combination of ingredients. I became obsessed with creating the perfect scone—a delicate balance of a crisp exterior and a tender, crumbly inside. This recipe for blueberry almond scones is the result of that journey. It combines the juicy sweetness of blueberries with the nutty richness of almonds, all wrapped in a perfectly flaky pastry. It’s a simple recipe, but it delivers incredible results every time. It’s the kind of treat that makes a regular morning feel special, and it’s a million times better than that first failed attempt. So, let’s get baking! You’re going to love this recipe! 😋
The Ultimate Blueberry Almond Scones
This recipe creates scones with a wonderfully crisp exterior and a tender, moist interior. The secret lies in a few simple techniques that ensure a light and fluffy crumb every time. The combination of fresh blueberries and crunchy toasted almonds is a match made in heaven.
✅ Ingredients
For the Scones:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup almond flour or almond meal
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) cold, unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup cold heavy cream or whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
- ½ cup toasted sliced or slivered almonds
For the Almond Glaze:
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
🌟 Step-by-Step Baking Instructions
1. Prepare Your Ingredients and Oven:
First, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This is a crucial step for easy cleanup and preventing the scones from sticking. Make sure your butter is as cold as possible—I like to cut it into cubes and put it back in the freezer for a few minutes while I get everything else ready.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients:
In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, almond flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Whisking ensures that all the leavening agents are evenly distributed, which is key for a good rise.
3. Cut in the Cold Butter:
Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry cutter, two knives, or your fingertips, work the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs, with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining. This step is the most important for achieving a flaky texture. Don’t overwork the dough! The little pockets of butter will create steam in the oven, giving you those beautiful layers.
4. Combine Wet Ingredients:
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the cold heavy cream, egg, and vanilla extract.
5. Form the Dough:
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Use a spatula to mix just until the dough comes together. Be careful not to overmix! The dough will be a bit shaggy and loose, which is what you want. Gently fold in the blueberries and toasted almonds. It’s okay if some of the blueberries burst—that just adds to the beautiful, rustic look.
6. Shape the Scones:
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Gently pat it into a large circle, about ¾-inch thick. Use a sharp knife or a bench scraper to cut the circle into 8 wedges, like a pizza. For a classic shape, you can also use a round cookie cutter.
7. Bake to Perfection:
Carefully transfer the scone wedges to your prepared baking sheet. Leave a little space between each one. Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. Prepare the Glaze and Cool:
While the scones are baking, whisk together all the glaze ingredients in a small bowl. Once the scones are out of the oven, let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before drizzling with the glaze. Drizzling the glaze while they are still warm will cause it to melt right into the scone, so be patient!
9. Serve and Enjoy!
Drizzle the glaze over the cooled scones. These blueberry almond scones are best served fresh from the oven, but they’ll keep for a couple of days in an airtight container. They are absolutely perfect with a cup of coffee or tea.
🥗 Nutritional Information
| Nutrient | Amount per scone (approx.) |
| Calories | 310 kcal |
| Protein | 6 g |
| Fat | 16 g |
| Carbs | 36 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sodium | 280 mg |
Note: Nutritional values can vary based on specific ingredients and serving sizes.
Your Questions Answered 💬
Baking can feel intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be! Here are some common questions about making these delicious blueberry almond scones.
Can I use frozen blueberries?
Yes, absolutely! Frozen blueberries work just as well as fresh ones. The key is to not thaw them first. Fold them into the dough while they are still frozen to prevent them from bleeding their color all over the dough and making a mess. This also helps keep the dough cold, which is crucial for a flaky scone.
Why is cold butter so important?
Using very cold butter is the single most important tip for making flaky scones. When the cold butter melts in the hot oven, it releases steam. This steam creates tiny pockets of air, which gives the scones their light and airy, layered texture. If you use soft or melted butter, you’ll end up with a dense, cake-like scone.
How can I make my scones rise more?
There are a few simple tricks. First, make sure your baking powder is fresh. Check the expiration date. Also, avoid overworking the dough. Too much kneading develops gluten, which makes the scones tough. And finally, keep all your ingredients, especially the butter and milk, as cold as possible. Chilling the shaped scones for 15-20 minutes before baking can also help them hold their shape and rise better. For more scientific info on the role of leavening agents like baking powder, you can consult food science websites or baking guides.
🌟 Variations and Serving Suggestions
This blueberry almond scone recipe is a perfect canvas for creativity. Feel free to mix and match ingredients to create your own signature scone.
- Change the Fruit: Not a fan of blueberries? You can swap them out for other fruits. Try using raspberries, chopped strawberries, or dried cranberries. Just be sure to use the same measurement.
- Add a Different Nut: Instead of almonds, you could use chopped walnuts, pecans, or even macadamia nuts. Toasting the nuts first will bring out their flavor even more.
- Make it Savory: You can easily turn this recipe into a savory scone. Omit the sugar, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Instead, add some shredded cheddar cheese, fresh chives, and a pinch of black pepper. The result is a wonderful accompaniment to soup or a savory breakfast.
- Add a Crumb Topping: For an extra touch of sweetness and crunch, you can make a simple crumb topping. Mix together ¼ cup of flour, ¼ cup of brown sugar, and 2 tablespoons of cold butter. Sprinkle this mixture over the scones before baking.
- Different Glazes: If you don’t have almond extract, you can simply use vanilla extract in your glaze. Or for a brighter glaze, use fresh lemon juice instead of milk.
Perfect Pairings
These blueberry almond scones are a delightful treat on their own, but they are even better when paired with a hot beverage. A classic cup of English Breakfast tea or a strong black coffee is the perfect companion. For a more decadent experience, serve them with clotted cream and a spoonful of your favorite jam. They also make a fantastic addition to a brunch spread alongside some fresh fruit and a simple frittata.
The Joy of Homemade Baking
There’s a certain magic that happens when you take simple ingredients and turn them into something beautiful and delicious with your own two hands. These blueberry almond scones are a perfect example of that. They are proof that even if you’ve had a baking mishap in the past, a little persistence and the right recipe can lead to wonderful results. The smell of these baking will fill your home with a cozy, comforting aroma, and the taste will make you feel like you’re sitting in a charming little bakery.
This recipe is simple, forgiving, and guaranteed to impress. It’s the kind of treat that’s perfect for a weekend morning, a special occasion, or a simple afternoon pick-me-up. So, go ahead and give it a try. Don’t be afraid to get your hands a little bit messy—that’s part of the fun! I hope you enjoy baking and eating these as much as I do. I’d love to hear how your baking adventure goes! What are your favorite scone variations?
