Earl Grey Scones

These Earl Grey Scones are tender, flaky, and baked with Earl Grey tea leaves and brewed tea inside! They’re the perfect treat for breakfast or an afternoon snack
along with a cup of tea, this delicious scone recipe is easier to make than you might think.

If you enjoy baking scones, or if you have wanted to test your baking skills, check out my Top Tips for Baking Scones and browse all my favorite scone recipes. If you love Earl Grey, try these Tea Cookies and Earl Grey Cupcakes.

You’ll find helpful tips, flavor ideas, and more delicious recipes to try next!

What You Will Love about This Earl Grey Scones Recipe.

AROMATIC EARL GREY FLAVOR: Real tea-infused flavor in every bite, just the natural citrus-floral notes of Earl Grey!
TENDER AND FLAKY: Cold butter and minimal mixing create a perfect
airy texture.
SWEET GLAZE: The vanilla glaze on top takes these over the edge.
SCONE RECIPE WITHOUT EGGS: If you want to bake without eggs or eggs are getting too pricey, this is a great eggless scone recipe.

Recipe Ingredients

Ingredient Notes

• Butter: Keep it cold! Cut it into small cubes and place it back in the fridge until you’re ready to mix. Cold butter helps create flaky, tender scones.
• Baking Powder: Make sure it’s fresh so your scones rise properly and have that perfect, soft crumb.
• Earl Grey Loose-Leaf Tea: Use finely ground loose-leaf tea for the best flavor. The fragrant bergamot and black tea notes give these scones their signature aroma.
• Brewed Earl Grey Tea: Replace some of the liquid with cooled, brewed Earl Grey for an extra boost of tea flavor throughout the dough.
• Ground Cloves: Just a pinch enhances the warm, citrusy notes of the Earl Grey and adds depth to each bite.
• Vanilla Extract: A hint of vanilla ties all the flavors together, giving these scones a smooth, aromatic finish.

Earl Grey Scones Step-by-Step Directions

Step 1: Add the flour, baking powder, sugar, cloves, and tea leaves to a large mixing bowl and whisk until well combined.

Step 2: Add the cold butter chunks to the mixing bowl and mix with your hands, ensuring the butter is thoroughly worked into the dry ingredients and the entire mixture is moistened.

Step 3: Add the ½ cup heavy cream, tea, and vanilla extract to the mixing bowl and mix with your hands until fully combined.

Step 4: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, separate the dough into two equal-sized balls, and form both of them into thick disk shapes.

Step 5: Transfer the disks to the prepared baking sheet and, using a sharp knife, carefully cut each of them into 6 equal-sized triangles.

Don’t Forget This Step: Place the baking sheet in the freezer for 15 to 20 minutes. This will prevent the scones from spreading when baking. This step is crucial.

Step 6: Bake the scones for 18 minutes, or until they are lightly golden brown.

Step 7: Remove the scones from the oven and allow them to rest on the baking sheet for 5-10 minutes before separating them and transferring them to a wire cooling rack.

Step 8: Add the powdered sugar, 4 tablespoons heavy cream, and vanilla bean paste to a small mixing bowl and mix until smooth. Drizzle the glaze generously over the warm scones.

Storage and Reheating

Storage:

Scones are always best enjoyed fresh from the oven, but they’ll keep soft and tender for 1–2 days at room temperature when stored in an airtight container. For longer storage, wrap them tightly and refrigerate for up to 3 days — just note that refrigeration can make them dry out a bit quicker. Before serving, let them come back to room temperature for the best texture and flavor.

Reheating:

To revive leftover scones, warm them in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes until lightly crisp on the outside. You can also pop one in the microwave for a few seconds, wrapped in a paper towel, for a quick refresh.

Freezing:

For longer keeping, wrap each scone individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Thaw at room temperature or reheat in a 300°F oven until warmed through. You can also freeze unbaked scones (after cutting them into wedges) for up to 2 months — simply bake straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the bake time.

PRO TIPS:

Make-Ahead Tip:

If you’d like to prepare these scones ahead of time, you can mix and shape the dough the night before. Place the unbaked scones on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, simply brush with cream and bake as directed. Chilling the dough not only saves time but also helps the scones hold their shape and enhances their rich, buttery flavor.

The trick to making the best scones is keeping your butter cold and not overworking the scone dough. That’s what gives you those flaky layers everyone loves.

For a subtle citrus twist that enhances the Earl Grey flavor, add a bit of finely grated orange or lemon zest to the dough. The natural oils in the zest brighten the tea’s bergamot notes and make the scones smell absolutely irresistible as they bake.

Additions & Substitutions

ADDITIONS:

Lemon Zest: Add a teaspoon of fresh lemon zest to enhance the bright citrus notes in the Earl Grey tea.

Lavender: A pinch of dried culinary lavender brings out the floral aroma and pairs beautifully with the bergamot.

Vanilla Glaze: Drizzle a light glaze made with powdered sugar, brewed Earl Grey tea, and a hint of vanilla for a sweet, aromatic finish.

Honey: Mix in a tablespoon of honey for a warm, mellow sweetness that complements the tea flavor.

Candied Orange Peel: Finely chop and add for a fragrant, elegant twist that emphasizes the orange essence in Earl Grey.

SUBSTITUTIONS:

Butter: Salted butter works fine—just reduce the added salt slightly.

Heavy Cream: Half-and-half or whole milk can be used, but heavy cream gives the flakiest texture.

Lady Grey Tea: Substitute Lady Grey for a slightly lighter, more citrus-forward flavor with hints of orange and lemon.

Ground Cloves: No cloves on hand? Use a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg for a warm spice alternative.

FAQs for Earl Grey Scones