Tea Scones Recipe with Clotted Cream for Afternoon Tea

Name: Tea Scones Recipe with Clotted Cream
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 2 cups all purpose flour; 2 teaspoons baking powder; 2 tablespoons sugar; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 cup butter (chilled unsalted); 2 large eggs; 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream; 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream; 1/2 teaspoon Almond extract (or Vanilla Extract ); 2 Tablespoon sifted Confectioners Sugar

Published: Jul 7, 2014 · Modified: Nov 1, 2025 by Candi Elm · This post may contain affiliate links

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This classic Tea Scones Recipe with clotted cream perfectly accompanies your morning or afternoon tea. These soft, buttery tea scones have a tender crumb and mild sweetness that pairs beautifully with your favorite tea blend.

I’ve been making tea scones for many years, and they’re one of my favorite treats to enjoy with a warm pot of tea—perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an elegant afternoon tea party.

These English-style tea scones are wonderfully versatile and pair well with a variety of flavors. Whether you sip black tea, herbal tea, or coffee, these buttery scones are always a delightful match.

For more delicious scone recipes and helpful baking tips, try these homemade scone ideas on the blog

Plate of Cream Scones stacked with bowl of clotted cream

Jump to:

Why you’ll love this Tea Scone Recipe
Ingredients for Tea Scones
Afternoon Tea Scones Step-by-Step Directions
How to make a simple Mock Clotted Cream
Scone Baking Tips
Best Ways to Serve Scones
How to Host an Afternoon Tea with Scones
Scone FAQs
Related Recipes:
Classic Tea Scones Recipe
Tea Scones Recipe with Clotted Cream

Why you’ll love this Tea Scone Recipe

Scones are a beloved sweet biscuit, often enjoyed at cream teas or afternoon tea gatherings. If you’ve ever visited a tea room or bakery, you’ve likely seen these tender pastries served with jam and cream.

This tea scone recipe is a true classic—lightly sweetened, buttery, and soft inside with a golden crust. They pair beautifully with clotted cream, strawberry jam, or lemon curd, making them a perfect treat for afternoon tea.

Enjoy these English tea scones at breakfast, as a snack, or as part of a traditional cream tea experience.

Ingredients for Tea Scones

Flour – Use regular all-purpose flour for the best texture.
Baking powder – Helps your scones rise beautifully; make sure it’s fresh.
Sugar – Regular white sugar adds just the right touch of sweetness.
Salt – Enhances flavor and balances sweetness.
Cold unsalted butter – Keep it chilled and cut into cubes. Visible butter bits create those perfect flaky layers.
Large eggs – Add structure and richness.
Heavy whipping cream – Use heavy cream or heavy whipping cream for tender, moist scones.

Afternoon Tea Scones Step-by-Step Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. If you’re not using a scone pan, line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Cut the butter into small cubes.
Combine flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt in a large bowl or Kitchen Aid. This creates a large mixture and will not work with a handheld mixer. With a pastry blender/cutter work the butter into the flour mixture until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Add the eggs and cream slowly, until the mixture is tender but not runny. Use the dough hook and continue to mix until everything comes together.
Make two discs out of the dough and flatten it out on the cutting board. Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut into 4 or 8 equal pieces, and place on your prepared baking sheet. Alternatively, place small pieces into the scone pan filling up each space.
Bake for 13 – 15 minutes or until scones are light golden brown. Baking time will vary depending on your oven. Check your scones at 13 minutes.

How to make a simple Mock Clotted Cream

Clotted Cream Ingredients

Heavy whipping cream
Almond extract or vanilla extract
Sifted confectioners sugar

Directions

While the scones are baking, place a metal mixing bowl in the freezer for 10 minutes to chill. Use your hand mixer, add cream to the bowl, and mix for about 3 minutes. Once it starts to thicken, add the sugar and the extract.

Mix for about 1 – 2 more minutes. Put in a pretty bowl with a teaspoon for your guests to use. I love the Almond Extract but use Vanilla if you prefer.

Scone Baking Tips

Keep dough cool and use chilled or frozen butter for the best flaky texture.
Add mix-ins like chocolate chips, dried fruit, or citrus zest for variety.
A scone pan ensures evenly shaped tea scones every time.
Store baked scones in an airtight container for up to a week, or freeze up to 3 months.
Reheat frozen scones in the microwave for about 10 seconds before serving.
Avoid handheld mixers; use a stand mixer or mix by hand.
For more Scone Baking Tips read here.

Best Ways to Serve Scones

Serve your tea scones with clotted cream, lemon curd, or your favorite jam. They’re best enjoyed with a pot of black tea or herbal tea for a truly authentic afternoon tea experience.

Once cooled to room temperature, store in an airtight container to keep them fresh and tender.

How to Host an Afternoon Tea with Scones

A great way to enjoy your classic scones is by hosting an Afternoon Tea. You can serve breakfast scones or savory scones, some delicious tea cookies and tea desserts, along with telling the Teacup story. You can also share the origin of scones or the History of how Afternoon Tea was started.

Scone FAQs

What’s the difference between cream scones and tea scones?

The terms are often used interchangeably, but cream scones typically refer to scones made with heavy cream for a rich, tender texture. A tea scone is a more general term for scones traditionally served with tea — whether made with cream, butter, or milk. In this recipe, we combine the best of both for a light and fluffy tea scone that’s perfect for afternoon tea.

Can I make these tea scones ahead of time?

Yes! These scones can be baked a day in advance and stored in an airtight container. Warm them in the oven or microwave before serving to bring back their soft texture and buttery aroma. You can also freeze unbaked scones and bake them fresh when needed.

What’s the best tea to serve with tea scones?

Traditional black teas like Earl Grey, Darjeeling, or English Breakfast are classic pairings. For something different, try them with green tea, hibiscus tea, or a floral lavender blend for a more delicate afternoon tea experience.

What should I serve with tea scones?

Serve your tea scones with clotted cream, lemon curd, or strawberry jam for a traditional touch. Add a side of Earl Grey Tea Cookies or Cranberry Orange Scones for variety and create a full tea party menu.

If you loved this recipe and made it, please give it a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review! Leave me a comment about your experience with this recipe. You can also pin it to Pinterest or share it on Facebook.

Classic Tea Scones Recipe

Tea Scones Recipe with Clotted Cream

These classic tea scones make a wonderful snack or breakfast treat. Serve with clotted cream and a pot of tea.

5 from 1 vote

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Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 15

Total Time: 25

Servings: scones

Calories: 243kcal

Author: Candi Elm

Ingredients

2 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup butter chilled unsalted
2 large eggs
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

Clotted Cream (My Version)

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1/2 teaspoon Almond extract or Vanilla Extract
2 Tablespoon sifted Confectioners Sugar

Instructions

Preheat over to 400 degrees. Mix the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl. With a pastry cutter work in the butter until the mixture is crumbly.
Add the eggs and cream slowly, until mixture is tender but not runny. Use the dough hook and continue to mix until everything comes together. Make two discs out of the dough and flatten out on cutting board. Cut into 4 or 8 equal pieces. Or put small pieces into the scone pan filling up each space. Bake for 13 – 15 minutes or until scones are light golden.
Clotted Cream – Put a metal mixing bowl in the freezer for 10 minutes to get cold. Use your hand mixer and place cream into the bowl and mix for about 3 minutes. Once it starts to thicken, add the sugar and the extract. Mix about 1 – 2 more minutes. Put in a pretty bowl with a teaspoon for your guests to use.

Notes

The Cream Tea Scone is your basic scone recipe, and you can add things to it to make different flavors, such as Cinnamon, blueberry, or Cranberry Orange. You could just add some lemon zest to them to add a little flavor.

I used to make the dough and make two discs out of it. I would flatten them out and cut them into 8 pieces. Then I got this amazing scone pan, and they were the perfect size each time. Whichever way you want to make them, they will come out delicious.

Nutrition

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More Scones

About Candi Elm

Candi Elm is the recipe developer and food photographer at A Day In Candiland where she has been sharing Encouragement, Recipes, and Afternoon Tea Ideas since 2012. Candi currently lives in Southern California with her family and enjoying life to the fullest.

Comments

5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)