Birthday Cake Scones Recipe
These Birthday Cake Scones are delightfully tender and buttery with colorful sprinkles baked right in, creating a festive and fun treat perfect for celebrations or a special breakfast. They feature a soft crumb with a light golden crust, enhanced by vanilla and optional almond extract for a subtle, sweet aroma.
- Author: Grace
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-22 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 scones 1x
- Category: Breakfast, Snack, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Dry Ingredients
- 320 grams (2 2/3 cups) all-purpose flour
- 66 grams (1/3 cup) granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 8 tablespoons butter, cubed and chilled
- 1/3 cup sprinkles
- 3/4 cup heavy cream, cold
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- Prepare dry mixture: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined.
- Cut in the butter: Add the chilled cubed butter to the flour mixture. Using a pastry cutter or your hands, quickly cut the butter into the flour until the pieces are about the size of peas. This creates a flaky texture.
- Add sprinkles and chill: Stir the sprinkles evenly into the butter-flour mixture. Place the bowl in the refrigerator to chill while you prepare the wet ingredients.
- Prepare wet ingredients: In a small bowl or measuring jug, whisk together the cold heavy cream, large egg, vanilla extract, and optional almond extract until smooth.
- Combine wet and dry: Remove the flour mixture from the fridge and pour in the wet ingredients. Using a spatula or wooden spoon, gently stir just until the dough comes together with a few dry spots remaining; do not overmix to keep the scones tender.
- Shape and freeze: Turn the dough out onto the prepared baking sheet. Pat it into a 1.5-inch tall circle. Place uncovered in the freezer for 1 to 2 hours until firm. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400ºF (204ºC).
- Slice and bake: Once the dough is frozen, cut it into 8 equal triangular wedges. Brush the tops with a little more heavy cream for a golden finish. Bake in the oven for 20 to 22 minutes until the scones are light golden and cooked through. Allow to cool briefly before serving.
Notes
- Do not overmix the dough to ensure scones stay tender and flaky.
- Freezing the dough before slicing helps maintain shape and produces a better texture.
- Use cold butter and heavy cream to create flaky layers.
- Optional almond extract adds a subtle nutty aroma but can be omitted if preferred.
- Store baked scones in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or freeze for longer keeping.
Keywords: Birthday cake scones, sprinkles scones, festive scones, vanilla scones, breakfast scones, easy scones recipe