Vegan Scones: Traditional British Style
Soft and buttery, without the dairy, enjoy these traditional vegan scones and take a moment to indulge in delicious sweet goodness.
NOTE: This post has been updated since it was originally published on October 14, 2022.
Breakfast biscuits and bread are probably one of my favorite things to eat, so I put a lot of effort into making healthier breakfast treats.
It’s fun to whip up homemade breakfast treats for friends and family on weekends, and this wonderful traditional British Dairy Free Scone recipe tastes delicious and takes no time to make.
I used my Non-Dairy Yogurt recipe to really up the scone game, and I also provided you with instructions on how to make these classic vegan scones using sourdough starter as well – both ways taste equally delicious.
Mixing, measuring, scraping, and spreading, all provide a peaceful respite from the busy world outside, which is why I wholeheartedly believe baking is good for the soul.
Let me show you how to make the best vegan scones around so you can not only feed your body but your whole heart and soul!
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Traditional Vegan Scones Ingredients
Ground flax. This is what we use to bind the scone ingredients together in place of eggs.
All-purpose flour. I prefer to use organic flour for all my cooking needs.
Baking powder. Just a bit is all you need. I like to use aluminum-free baking powder.
Cane sugar. I use organic sugar for my baking needs
Sea salt. You can use kosher salt too if you prefer.
Non-dairy butter. Make sure you are using cold vegan butter for best results.
Non-dairy milk. I like to use organic unsweetened soy milk for baking but feel free to use any plant milk you prefer, like oat milk, or almond milk.
Apple cider vinegar. You can use lemon juice instead of apple cider vinegar if you prefer. This is the secret ingredient to making vegan buttermilk for these classic scones.
Vegan yogurt. I use my simple non-dairy yogurt recipe for these delicious tender scones.
optional ingredients to consider
Blueberries. Make vegan blueberry scones by adding a cup of fresh blueberries, or frozen. I like wild blueberries because they are smaller and perfect for baking recipes.
ProTip. If you are using frozen blueberries, rinse and toss gently in a bit of flour before mixing into the rest of the scone mixture. This prevents the dough from turning purple when mixing!
Vegan chocolate chips. Make vegan chocolate chip scones by adding one cup of vegan chocolate chips – for the chocolate lovers out there.
Poppy seeds. For a bright and tasty flavor, make lemon poppy seed scones by using three tablespoons of lemon juice, disregard the apple cider vinegar, and add one tablespoon of poppy seeds. A very different taste than classic vegan scones but delicious nonetheless!
Raisins or dried figs. Dried fruit tastes delicious in this vegan scone recipe. Just add about one cup to the dough for a super moist and even sweeter-tasting scone.
Nuts. If you want to add a little crunch to your vegan scone, consider adding some crushed nuts such as walnuts, pecans, or almonds.
Tools Used For This Recipe
- Large and small mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Whisk
- Spatula or wooden
- Pastry cutter
- Cookie cutter. I used a heart-shaped cookie cutter but feel free to use a true round scone cutter or any shape you prefer.
- Pastry brush
- Baking Sheet with a cooling rack
- Silicone baking sheet or unbleached parchment paper
How To Make Vegan Scones
For full instructions and exact measurements please see the printable recipe card below.
Preparation
Place the oven rack on the second to lowest shelf, and preheat oven to 375° Fahrenheit.
Line a baking sheet with either a silicone non-stick mat or unbleached parchment paper.
In a small bowl, measure out the ground flax and add 3 tablespoons of filtered water. Stir to combine. Set aside to thicken into a gel-like consistency. This takes about 5-10 minutes.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1. In a large mixing bowl, measure out the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Whisk all of the dry ingredients together until combined.
Step 2. Cut the cold butter into the dry mix. Using the pastry cutter, press and combine the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles a course bread crumb texture. Do not overmix.
Step 3. Measure out the non-dairy milk. Add the apple cider vinegar and non-dairy yogurt to the milk, and stir to combine.
Step 4. Pour the flax egg and the wet ingredients into the flour mixture, and carefully mix the dough until just combined. Do not overmix.
Step 5. Gather up the dough and place it on a lightly floured surface. Gently pat the dough, using your hands, into a circle that is approximately one inch thick.
Step 6. Using the cookie cutter, cut all of the dough into shape and place each scone onto the lined baking tray.
Step 7. Brush the tops of each scone, using the pastry brush, with a little bit of melted vegan butter.
Step 8. Place the vegan scones into the oven and bake for approximately 20 minutes or until the tops of the scones are a light golden brown.
Step 9. When the scones are done, take them out of the oven, and place them on a wire rack to cool to room temperature.
Vegan Scone Serving Suggestions
Original. These vegan scones are wonderfully delicious when eaten plain with a nice strong cup of coffee or tea. However, if you want to jazz things up a bit, you have options.
Vegan butter. Just a bit of butter on a warm vegan scone is simple but oh-so tasty!
Fresh jam. Consider slicing a warm scone in half and adding a delicious spread of strawberry jam, or any flavor you prefer, on the inside. Sandwich them together and add a dollop of vegan cream on top – yummy!
Maple syrup. Placing a couple of buttery scones on a plate and pouring pure maple syrup on top of the scones with perhaps a sprinkle or two of powdered sugar is another way to go. So delicious and similar to eating French toast or pancakes but better!
How To Store
These scones are stored best in a glass airtight container. They will last for about 3-4 days if they are stored on the kitchen counter, and about 4-5 days if stored in the fridge.
For longer storage, these vegan scones can be placed in the freezer in a freezer bag or any other type of freezer-safe container. They will last in the freezer for up to 4 months.
When ready to serve, place the frozen vegan scones on a wire rack on the kitchen counter to defrost naturally. This will take about 30-45 minutes.
Recipe Notes and Tips
For a flakier scone, make sure the butter you are using is cold. You want there to be little bits of butter chunks in your vegan scone dough.
Do not over-mix the butter in the flour mixture. You want to see small pieces of butter, like the size of peas, rather than it all mixed together.
Instead of using non-dairy yogurt, you can also use sourdough starter discard instead. The discard will give these scones an awesome taste and perfect texture. Try them both and decide for yourself which ones you like!
If you wish, you can cut these scones into triangle shapes instead of round, which is the American style of making scones.
VIDEO: How To Make Traditional Vegan Scones
Baking Is Good For The Soul
I’ve always enjoyed baking. For me, it’s a wonderful way to get my mind off of things for a moment, and I find it’s a peaceful distraction.
The relaxing part of baking begins before I even start baking. Flipping through cookbooks, and looking at pictures, it’s all a way to find something that delights and appeals to my senses.
Then, I browse the list of ingredients looking to see if they are healthy, or if there is a way I can make it healthier.
Most often this is the case. I look for a traditional recipe, and then I play with it to see if I can make it healthy and vegan.
Once I’ve picked out the recipe, I put on classical music, pull out all of the ingredients, and start measuring.
I like this part of the process, as I enjoy measuring, sifting, and pouring, and it’s where I get into that peaceful zone.
5 Reasons Why Baking Is Good For The Soul
As a busy caregiver for Doug who is managing Parkinson’s disease, here are my top 5 reasons why I feel baking is good for the soul.
- Decreases anxiety. Going through all of the baking steps – measuring, sifting, mixing, kneading, etc. all help to reduce any stress or anxiety I may be carrying.
- Meditative. The process of baking puts me in a calm and meditative state. No matter what is going on in my life, the kitchen is where I am comfortable, and baking helps me relax.
- Creativity. Baking helps me feel creative. Like an artist, I am making, or at least trying to make, something beautiful.
- Caring. I like to bake yummy treats for family and friends, and it’s a great way to show someone you care.
- Grounding. Baking helps me feel grounded and connected to people and my past. There are many recipes I continue to use that have been passed down in our family for generations.
Additional Vegan Breakfast Recipes
- Healthy Banana Pumpkin Muffins (Vegan and Gluten-Free)
- A Sugar Free Peach Cobbler With Drop Sourdough Biscuits
- Applesauce Oatmeal Bake: Healthy Cake for Breakfast
- Raw Dehydrator Granola Recipe: Vegan and Gluten Free
More Healthy Recipes and Caregiver Support
Let’s Connect
I hope you enjoyed this article, and will try making these delicious traditional Vegan Scones!
There is nothing like baking a comforting breakfast treat for family and friends, or just for yourself because you are worth a bit of self-care, and these yummy tender buttery vegan scones are the perfect comfort food to start your day.
QUESTION. What scone shape do you prefer – round, triangular, or heart-shaped like mine?! What’s your favorite flavored scone?
Let me know in the comment section below. I’d love to hear from you!
Printable Recipe Card to Enjoy
Vegan Scones – Traditional British Style
Equipment
- wooden spoon or silicone spatula for mixing
- round shaped cutter to shape the scones; I just use the opening of a drinking glass
- parchment paper OR silicone baking sheet
- basting/pastry brush
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp ground flax seeds
- 2 1/2 cup all-purpose flour – plus 1/4 cup more if needed for dough texture.
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 3/4 cup non-dairy butter (cold)
- 1/2 cup non-dairy milk
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup non-dairy yogurt
Instructions
Preparation
- Place the oven rack on the second to lowest shelf, and preheat oven to 375° Fahrenheit.
- Line a baking sheet with either a silicone non-stick mat or unbleached parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, measure out the ground flax and add 3 tablespoons of filtered water. Stir to combine. Set aside to thicken into a gel-like consistency. This takes about 5-10 minutes.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, measure out the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Whisk all of the dry ingredients together until combined.
- Cut the cold butter into the dry mix. Using the pastry cutter, press and combine the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles a course bread crumb texture. Do not overmix.
- Measure out the non-dairy milk. Add the apple cider vinegar and non-dairy yogurt to the milk, and stir to combine.
- Pour the flax egg and the wet ingredients into the flour mixture, and carefully mix the dough until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Gather up the dough and place it on a lightly floured surface. Gently pat the dough, using your hands, into a circle that is approximately one inch thick.
- Using the cookie cutter, cut all of the dough into shape and place each scone onto the lined baking tray.
- Brush the tops of each scone, using the pastry brush, with a little bit of melted vegan butter.
- Place the vegan scones into the oven and bake for approximately 20 minutes or until the tops of the scones are a light golden brown.
- When the scones are done, take them out of the oven, and place them on a wire rack to cool to room temperature.
Notes
- For a flakier scone, make sure the butter you are using is cold. You want there to be little bits of butter chunks in your vegan scone dough.
- Do not over-mix the butter in the flour mixture. You want to see small pieces of butter, like the size of peas, rather than it all mixed together.
- Instead of using non-dairy yogurt, you can also use sourdough starter discard instead. The discard will give these scones an awesome taste and texture. Try them both and decide for yourself which ones you like!
- If you wish, you can cut these scones into triangle shapes instead of round, which is the American style of making scones.
- These scones are stored best in a glass airtight container. They will last for about 3-4 days if they are stored on the kitchen counter, and about 4-5 days if stored in the fridge.
- For longer storage, these vegan scones can be placed in the freezer in a freezer bag or any other type of freezer-safe container. They will last in the freezer for up to 4 months.
- When ready to serve, place the frozen vegan scones on a wire rack on the kitchen counter to defrost naturally. This will take about 30-45 minutes.
You had me “scone”! I love that these are vegan with great ingredients!
Haha…right? And yes, a plant-based scone! Thank you for your support.
These look so good! Would pair well with tea I’m sure!
Yes, tea and sconed go hand-in-hand. Thank you for your comment! 😉