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Home » Recipes » Date Scones

Date Scones

Published: Dec 22, 2021 · Modified: Dec 26, 2021 by Farah Abumaizar · 25 Comments

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Date scones are delicious, buttery pastry with bits of sweet soft dates. They are so easy to make and they turn out so well!

Date scones piled onto a wooden chopping board with cream

Why should I make these easy date scones?

This is the perfect step by step recipe for date scones that gives you crispy on the edges, flaky and tender in the center scones studded with caramelized dates.

The recipe comes together really simply, with standard pantry and fridge ingredients.

Tray of baked date scones on parchment paper with cream

These freeze really well, and warm up beautifully.

If you don’t know what scones are, they are a British baked good, made with plenty of butter and leavening powder. Flaky and soft on the inside with a crumbly exterior, they are best enjoyed with cream and jam.

Why add dates to scones?

I love a good plain scone. Something I don’t like is a scone that has raisins in it. I will always pick out any raisins or currents in scones. Dates are different. They become a little jammy when baked, and add a beautiful toffee infused sweetness to the overall scone. Date scones are miles better than raisin scones.

They also play homage to the Gulf region of the Middle East. Especially when enhanced with a hint of cinnamon powder. It’s just a little something extra that allows you to make scones with not a lot of sugar in them, but that are still more than sweet enough to enjoy plain.

Ingredients in date scones:

ingredients to make date scones

The scone base is divided into dry ingredients, butter, and wet ingredients:

Dry ingredients:

Flour- All purpose flour. I highly recommend scaling this to get an accurate measure so that your dough texture will be spot on.

Baking powder- a good tablespoon so that the scones rise well and remain fluffy.

A pinch of salt for flavor, a little sugar for sweetness, and cinnamon to compliment the dates.

Butter: I got the method of adding frozen grated butter from Sally’s Baking Addiction’s recipe for master scones. The reason for using frozen butter, and for making sure the wet ingredients are cold is to keep the dough from getting too warm so that it still bakes up flakey with pockets of butter.

Wet ingredients: Heavy cream which adds richness, an egg, and vanilla extract for flavor.

Dates: What kind of dates to add to scones? Any type you like. Medjool work great, as well as any soft or chewy dates. The firmer the dates are the easier they’ll be to chop, but the sweetness of soft dates is a bonus.

How to make date scones:

steps in mixing the dough for scones
  1. Whisk together the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, cinnamon)
  2. Add the grated frozen butter, and work it into the dry ingredients with your fingertips or a pastry cutter. It’s ready when the butter pieces are pea sized.
  3. Separately, mix together egg, heavy cream and vanilla, then pour into butter flour mix and stir until combined. Add the chopped dates, and stir until just combined. You might knead it a couple times with your hands, but don’t go overboard mixing.
  4. On a lightly floured surface dump out the scone dough, and pat into an 8 inch circle. You may find it easier to line an 8 inch cake pan with parchment paper, pat the dough into the cake pan then flip it out of the pan onto the counter. See the recipe video below for an example.
  5. Cut the dough with a sharp knife or pizza cutter into 8 equal sized wedges, then place on a parchment lined baking sheet into the fridge to chill for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, heat the oven to 400 F (200C).
  6. Once oven has come to temperature, brush the top of the scones lightly with heavy cream. Optionally, you can sprinkle some coarse sugar on top. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until lightly golden brown on top.

The first thing we need to keep in mind, is that texture is so important in scones. You don’t want gummy scones, or hard dry scones. The important thing is a crisp interior and flaky soft interior. You also want enough height to the scones so they aren’t flat disks.

close up photo of date scones with cream and coffee in the background

How do I keep my scones from flattening out or spreading too much?

Make sure the dough isn’t overworked, and that the butter doesn’t melt too fully into the dough. You need little pieces of butter to remain intact so that when the dough goes in the oven, the butter melts there and create pockets of steam which results in that flaky dough.

Another factor is chilling the shaped scones before baking them, to ensure the dough goes into the oven cold.

We don’t want the butter melting BEFORE going in the oven. Using frozen butter is what accomplishes that, and also the fact that you are using grated butter which is easier to work into the dough with your fingers.

How to grate frozen butter:

Place your block of butter in the freezer for at least 20 minutes to harden. Working quickly, grate the butter on the coarse side of a box grater. If at any point it starts to soften too much between your fingers, place it back in the freezer to harden again.

If not using butter immediately, place the grated butter in the freezer.

grated frozen butter on chopping board

Troubleshooting scone dough:

If you feel the dough is too dry: Add a drizzle of heavy cream until you get the consistency desired.

If you feel the dough is too wet: Add a tablespoon of flour at a time until the dough can be worked with.

How long to bake scones for?

Tray of baked date scones on parchment paper with cream

You want them to look like the photo- light golden brown edges and top. If you lift one from the parchment, you’ll see that the bottom is dry and a light golden brown as well. Don’t over bake, you still want a soft inside.

What to serve scones with?

date scone on a plate being spread with jam

Traditionally, scones are served with clotted cream and jam. The good thing about this recipe, is that the scones are so moist and the dates add the perfect hint of sweetness, that these are delicious plain.

I also cut some in half, and spread with some cream. I used fresh cream (not clotted). You can even try mascarpone cheese or regular butter.

Different scone mix-ins:

Try some orange zest and dried cranberries, chocolate chips, raisins (if you must!), blueberries, chopped nuts.

How to make scones ahead of time:

two date scones on a plate with more scones in background

You can prepare the dough all the way to cutting it into wedges (before brushing with cream) and refrigerate overnight, loosely covered, to bake the following morning.

You can also freeze the scone dough by letting the wedges freeze on a baking sheet until hard, then placing in a freezer safe bag. Bake from frozen as directed, adding a few minutes to bake time.

You can also bake the scones, then freeze them once cool. You can warm them in a hot oven for 10 minutes or in a microwave for 20-30 seconds.

close up photo of date scone cut into half
Tray of baked date scones on parchment paper with cream

Date Scones

Scones that are crisp on the outside, and buttery and flaky on the inside, studded with bits of caramelized dates. Delicious and easy step by step recipe!
5 from 6 votes
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Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 8 people
Calories: 134kcal
Author: Farah Abumaizar

Ingredients

  • 2 cups flour 250 g
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 3 tablespoon white sugar 40 g
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon powder
  • 1 stick frozen butter, grated on the large side of a box grater 115 grams
  • 1 egg, cold
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream, cold
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup pitted, chopped dates 150 grams

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, cinnamon.
  • Add the grated frozen butter into the flour mixture, and work it in with your fingertips until it resembles wet sand, see post above for visuals. You can also use a pastry cutter, but I find hands easier!
  • In a separate bowl mix together heavy cream, egg and vanilla. Add the wet ingredients and the chopped dates to the flour, and mix together until combined with a spatula or fork. You can give the dough a couple kneads with your hands, but don't overwork.
  • Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and pat it into an 8 inch circle. Cut the circle into 8 wedges, and place onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Place the sheet with the dough on it into the fridge to rest for 15 minutes.
  • While dough is resting, heat oven to 400 F (200C). Take scones out of the fridge, and brush the top of each with a little heavy cream, and optionally sprinkle with some coarse sugar. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until edges and top are a light golden brown.
  • Serve warm, either plain or with some clotted cream and/or jam.

Video

Notes

Mixing method adapted from Sallys Baking Addiction

Nutrition

Calories: 134kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 305mg | Potassium: 35mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 94mg | Iron: 2mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @everylittlecrumb or tag #everylittlecrumb!
Nutrition Facts
Date Scones
Amount Per Serving
Calories 134 Calories from Fat 9
% Daily Value*
Fat 1g2%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 1g
Sodium 305mg13%
Potassium 35mg1%
Carbohydrates 29g10%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 5g6%
Protein 3g6%
Vitamin A 1IU0%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 94mg9%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

If you liked this recipe, you might like:

Coffee Cardamom Date Truffles

Strawberry Shortcake

All Butter Flaky Pie Crust

Did you make this? Tag @everylittlecrumb or hashtag #everylittlecrumb and I’ll share your images!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. jassica says

    August 16, 2021 at 8:20 pm

    5 stars
    Easy to made , kichten free hand recipe .
    You really share amazing points in this post .
    Texture and flavour are too good .

    Reply
    • Farah Abumaizar says

      August 16, 2021 at 9:54 pm

      So glad that you liked it!

      Reply
  2. Fariba says

    May 16, 2021 at 3:22 pm

    I am on a paleo diet. Can I replace the sugar with coconut sugar or honey?

    Reply
    • Farah Abumaizar says

      May 18, 2021 at 3:01 pm

      I haven’t personally tried, but I think coconut sugar would work well! Honey isn’t preferable because it’ll change the moisture content of the final product. Let me know if you do end up trying !!

      Reply
  3. Carla Ruhl says

    August 31, 2020 at 1:00 pm

    This is the best scone recipe! Texture and flavor are ideal and the tips made so easy.
    Thank you for a new recipe to include in my favorites.

    Reply
    • Farah Abumaizar says

      August 31, 2020 at 3:56 pm

      I am so very happy to hear that Carla! Thanks so much for taking the time to comment ❤️❤️

      Reply
  4. Sandra says

    May 18, 2020 at 6:12 pm

    May I leave the cardamom out. Don’t have any

    Reply
    • Farah Abumaizar says

      May 18, 2020 at 8:05 pm

      Yes absolutely!

      Reply
  5. Annette Williams says

    April 08, 2020 at 1:09 am

    Can I use half and half in place of heavy cream. My arteries won’t be happy with all that fat

    Reply
    • Farah Abumaizar says

      April 08, 2020 at 8:48 am

      I’m sure you absolutely can, or even buttermilk . Either will work just fine!

      Reply
  6. Lorraine says

    March 23, 2020 at 5:12 am

    Soak the dates in orange juice and zest before adding.

    Reply
    • Farah Abumaizar says

      March 23, 2020 at 7:28 am

      That’s a lovely idea! I actually tried the recipe again and added a hint of orange zest and the flavor it gave was lovely

      Reply
  7. Pam Greer says

    March 17, 2020 at 9:13 pm

    5 stars
    I love the dates in these scones! They bake up with the most perfect texture! These are going to be my go to scones!

    Reply
    • Farah Abumaizar says

      March 17, 2020 at 9:17 pm

      S glad to hear it Pam!

      Reply
  8. Toni says

    March 17, 2020 at 9:10 pm

    5 stars
    Everyone at my house loved it! Can’t wait to make it again!

    Reply
    • Farah Abumaizar says

      March 17, 2020 at 9:17 pm

      Thanks for letting me know Toni!

      Reply
  9. Carrie Robinson says

    March 17, 2020 at 9:03 pm

    5 stars
    These would be perfect with my afternoon cup of tea! 🙂

    Reply
    • Farah Abumaizar says

      March 17, 2020 at 9:17 pm

      Definitely agree with that!

      Reply
  10. Jessica Formicola says

    March 17, 2020 at 8:30 pm

    5 stars
    I made these scones for breakfast this morning and they were incredible! Thanks so much for sharing the recipe!

    Reply
    • Farah Abumaizar says

      March 17, 2020 at 9:17 pm

      So glad to hear it! Thanks Jessica!

      Reply
      • Arlene says

        October 22, 2020 at 7:15 pm

        5 stars
        Thank you so much I really thought it was going to be difficult. As I never tried scones ever!!! Today I made it as a brunch snack for my granny 85 and her friends 82, 87.They loved it so much. Glad I could bring some joy to my oldies all thanks to you.

        Reply
        • Farah Abumaizar says

          October 24, 2020 at 5:05 pm

          That is probably one of the best comments I’ve ever read. I’m so glad your granny and her friends liked this Arlene! No one more important to please 🥰 thank you for the kind comment.

          Reply
  11. Bry says

    March 17, 2020 at 8:04 pm

    This recipe was AMAZING – the cardamon added the perfect little burst of flavour and worked so wonderfully well with the dates. Just gorgeously yummy. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Farah Abumaizar says

      March 17, 2020 at 8:06 pm

      So glad to hear that!! Thank you Bry!❤️

      Reply
    • Farah Abumaizar says

      June 05, 2021 at 8:22 am

      Regular oven setting Inda, no need to fan bake!

      Reply

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Hi, I'm Farah! I've been cooking and baking most of my life. I love Middle Eastern food, and decadent breakfast and desserts. Welcome to my food world!

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