Gingerbread Scones Recipe with Easy Cinnamon Glaze
Gingerbread is my favorite flavor for winter, especially during the Christmas season. These homemade gingerbread scones are full of warm molasses and traditional gingerbread spices, with a tender texture and an easy cinnamon glaze. They make a subtly sweet Christmas morning treat or an easy dish to bring to holiday brunches.
What you’ll love about this recipe:
Gingerbread Scones Recipe
Don’t let the long list of ingredients intimidate you. These gingerbread scones are made with simple ingredients you likely have on hand. This easy Christmas treat is inexpensive and full of festive flavor. The smell of the warm spices coming from the oven while they bake makes your home feel so welcoming and festive.
Scone Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons blackstrap molasses
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 3/4 cup half-and-half cream
- 1/2 cup cold butter
Cinnamon Glaze
- 1 cup icing sugar (confectioners’ sugar)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons half-and-half cream
Step 1: Preparation
Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
Step 2: Mixing the Flour Mixture
In a large bowl, add the flour, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, salt, and baking powder. Whisk well to combine.
Add the cold butter to the flour mixture and, using a pastry cutter or your hands, blend until coarse crumbs form, about the size of peas. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and set aside.
Step 3: Making the Scone Dough
In a second small mixing bowl, add the brown sugar, molasses, and half-and-half cream. Mix with a fork.
Pour the wet cream ingredients into the well in the center of the flour mixture.
If there is still molasses stuck to the bottom of the bowl, use a rubber spatula to scrape it out. Mix the dough with your hands. It will be a little sticky.
Place the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead it into a small ball, then flatten it into an 8-inch circle about 1 inch thick.
Using a sharp knife, cut into 8 equal wedges.
Step 4: Baking the Scones
Place the scones on the prepared baking sheet. Using a small pastry brush, lightly brush the tops with cream.
Bake in the preheated oven at 400°F for 12 to 15 minutes. Gingerbread scones are darker than most scones because of the molasses and spices. They are done when the tops are lightly browned and spring back when gently pressed.
While the scones bake, make the cinnamon glaze.
Step 5: Making the Cinnamon Glaze
In a small bowl or measuring cup, add the icing sugar and cinnamon and whisk to combine. Add the cream and vanilla extract, then mix with a small rubber spatula until smooth.
Transfer the baked scones to a wire rack covered with parchment paper. Drizzle the cinnamon glaze over the tops while the scones are still warm, then let them cool to room temperature.
These tender gingerbread scones are the perfect holiday treat, and I like to make mine ahead of time to have on hand while preparing for Christmas. A gingerbread scone and a hot cup of coffee are a cozy way to welcome yourself or a loved one home from Christmas shopping or shoveling a snow-covered driveway.
Gingerbread Scones with Cinnamon Glaze
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground allspice
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons blackstrap molasses
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 3 /4 cup half-and-half cream
- ½ cup butter cold
Cinnamon Glaze
- 1 cup icing sugar confectioners' sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons 1/2 and 1/2 cream
Instructions
Step 1: Preparation
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
Step 2: Mixing the Flour Mixture
- In a large bowl, add the flour, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, salt, and baking powder. Whisk well to combine.
- Add the cold butter to the flour mixture and, using a pastry cutter or your hands, blend until coarse crumbs form, about the size of peas. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and set aside.
Step 3: Making the Scone Dough
- In a second small mixing bowl, add the brown sugar, molasses, and half-and-half cream. Mix with a fork.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the well in the center of the flour mixture. If there is still molasses stuck to the bottom of the bowl, use a rubber spatula to scrape it out. Mix the dough with your hands. It will be a little sticky.
- Place the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead it into a small ball, then flatten it into an 8-inch circle about 1 inch thick.
- Using a sharp knife, cut into 8 equal wedges.
Step 4: Baking the Scones
- Place the scones on the prepared baking sheet. Using a small pastry brush, lightly brush the tops with cream.
- Bake in the preheated oven at 400°F for 12 to 15 minutes. Gingerbread scones are darker than most scones because of the molasses and spices. They are done when the tops are lightly browned and spring back when gently pressed.
- While the scones bake, make the cinnamon glaze.
Step 5: Making the Cinnamon Glaze
- In a small bowl or measuring cup, add the icing sugar and cinnamon and whisk to combine. Add the cream and vanilla extract, then mix with a small rubber spatula until smooth.
- Transfer the baked scones to a wire rack covered with parchment paper. Drizzle the cinnamon glaze over the tops while the scones are still warm, then let them cool to room temperature.
Storing Gingerbread Scones
These scones can be kept for up to three days at room temperature in an airtight container.
These gingerbread scones also freeze well. Wrap them in parchment paper bundles and place them in an airtight container. They will keep in the freezer for up to three months.
If you freeze them with the glaze, let them thaw on the counter so the glaze does not melt while reheating. If you want to serve them warm, thaw them first, warm them in the microwave, and then add the glaze.
More Gingerbread Recipes
Gingerbread is my favorite flavor for Christmas, so I have several other delicious gingerbread recipes to share with you.
Gingerbread Waffles Recipe
Light and fluffy gingerbread waffles are another idea for those special holiday breakfasts. Like the gingerbread scones, you can freeze these ahead and just pop in the toaster to serve. I like to make them even more special with homemade cranberry syrup and whipped cream
Traditional Gingerbread
This moist and delicious gingerbread cake is another budget-saving Christmas recipe made with simple ingredients. You can serve it plain, with brown sugar sauce, or whipped cream and cinnamon sugar.