Carrot Cake Scones Recipe – just like the cake!
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Carrot cake scones are a great breakfast or brunch treat. Carrots, cinnamon, walnuts and coconut make these delightful scones a true winner.
Crispy on the outside, flaky and buttery on the inside. Savory or sweet, scones are sort of like a biscuit and muffin combined. All of the best of both treats!
I used to hate scones. Is it bad to start a post about scones saying that I hated scones? Well, I’ve never been the type to care about that sort of thing. I hated scones. They were thick, dry, and you needed a whole gallon of milk to wash the thing down.
Turns out maybe I was just eating the wrong scones? Or perhaps my love for scones grew when I started drinking coffee when I was in graduate school? That could very well have something to do with it. Regardless, now I love them.
Especially with a layer of crispy sugar sprinkled on the top. I mean…there isn’t much not to love about that! (Although, these would be terrific with a drizzle of icing or even better, cream cheese frosting!)
Especially with a hot cup of coffee. But everything almost everything is better with a hot cup of coffee.
I’ve also clearly been on a carrot cake kick lately. I want to make everything into carrot cake something. Carrot cake slow cooker steel cut oats? Amazing. I need to make those again. Stat. And I feel there is no end to the carrot cake love. Besides the obvious (cake, duh.), I feel like we should do carrot cake smoothies and milkshakes and pizza! Don’t steal my ideas though, okay? Promise? Okay.
PS: Updated to add, the obsession is still going strong – make sure to try my carrot cake muffins with the most delicious filling as well as carrot cake pancakes!
You can steal the pizza idea, I guess.
No. I’m keeping that one too.
Honestly, though. These scones are phenomenal. They have carrots in them so clearly they’re a health food. Walnuts, coconut, raisins, and cinnamon all work together to drive that carrot cake flavor home.
Make ahead tip: Refrigerate or freeze unbaked scones to bake later. For freezing, wrap each circle individually and put into freezer bag and freeze for up to 1 month. When ready to bake, while the oven is preheating, remove the scones from the freezer and put on baking sheet. Bake as directed. You may have to add a couple minutes of baking time.
More coffee time treats
Looking for more treats that pair perfectly with a cup of coffee? Here’s a few to tantalize your taste buds…
- Coffee cake with streusel – a classic streusel cake
- Pumpkin chocolate chip muffins
- Morning glory muffins
- Blueberry pancake muffins with cream cheese filling
- Chocolate banana bread (reduced fat recipe)
- Strawberry blueberry muffins
- Banana Nut Scones by Sally’s Baking Addiction – with maple glaze!
- Jammy Raspberry and Walnut Scones by Kitchn – can’t wait to try these.
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @rachelcooksblog on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!
Ingredients
Scones:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup buttermilk powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 3/4 cup shredded carrot
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/2 cup flaked or shredded unsweetened coconut
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 4 tablespoons cold (or frozen) butter, cut into small pieces
- 4 tablespoons shortening
For the topping
- 1 egg, beaten plus 1 teaspoon water
- 2-3 tablespoons coarse sugar (turbinado)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450°F.
- In a large bowl, whisk together dry ingredients (flour, sugar, buttermilk powder, salt, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, raisins, carrot, walnuts, coconut). In a small bowl, whisk together eggs, vanilla extract and buttermilk.
- To the dry ingredients, add the butter pieces and the shortening. Using your hands, work the fats into the dry ingredients until the pieces of butter and shortening are small peas. Do not overwork the mixture.
- Stir in wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Again, do not overmix.
- Divide dough in half and shape into two balls of dough. Place both halves on a parchment paper or Silpat lined baking sheet. Pat each ball of dough into a circle 7 to 8 inches in diameter and about 1/2-inch thick. Cut each circle into 8 equal wedges and separate slightly so the wedges do not touch each other. Brush with egg/water mixture and sprinkle with sugar.
- Bake for 7 minutes. Without opening oven, turn oven off and let scones remain in the oven for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown. Cool slightly on a wire rack. Best served within a few hours (with a cup of coffee, of course!)
Notes
- Dough can be refrigerated overnight or frozen prior to baking.
Nutrition Information
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
Husband’s take: No complaints from him.
Changes I would make: None.
Difficulty: Moderate.
JoAnne Genrich says
Can these be made ahead and frozen?
I am thinking about making them for a Women’s Tea of 80 ladies so am looking for a way to make ahead.
Rachel Gurk says
I haven’t tried freezing these, but I think it would work fine. They might be slightly more dry after they’re thawed (as compared to freshly baked), but they’d probably still be alright. That’s quite an undertaking! Good luck!
Trush says
Has anyone made these scones in a scone pan?
laurasmess says
Haha. I’ve always loved scones so I’ve never required convincing, but… carrot cake scones?! Awesome! I never thought I’d love scones more than I do, but I’m pretty sure that’ll be possible once I’ve tasted these!
Anna @ Garnish with Lemon says
Carrot cake for breakfast? Sign me up! And good luck with the allergy testing. That’s no fun, especially for a little one.
Phi (from Sweetphi.com) says
I felt the same way about scones you did…and I just so happen to have (oddly enough) a little bit of buttermilk in my fridge, so it’s like a sign…I have to make this recipe, right? haha. This recipe looks amazing, and I totally agree with you-everything is better with a cup of coffee!! Can’t wait to make these when I get home from work today!
steph@stephsbitebybite says
WHOA!!! Why have I never seen scones like these before. Gawd I wish I had one!
Erin | The Law Student's Wife says
I maintain that those who THINK they don’t like scones are just eating the wrong ones. These scones are clearly the right ones :) So sorry to hear about E! I hope she feels better soon. (In the meantime, more scones for mom perhaps?)
Christina @ Sweet Pea's Kitchen says
Oh man….these scones sound amazing! I love carrot cake and the idea of it being acceptable to eat for breakfast sounds amazing! ;) I’m pinning these to try soon! :)
Jocelyn @BruCrew Life says
All I can say is YES!!! These look incredible. I am a huge carrot cake fan, so I know that I am going to love these!!!! And boo to the walnut allergy. Good luck on all the “testing”!
Liz @ Virtually Homemade says
I love carrot cake anything – what a creative idea to turn them into scones! Pinned :)
Ali | Gimme Some Oven says
Whoa – these look and sound amazing! Love all of those carrots in there!
Ashley - Baker by Nature says
My guy hates scones! Maybe these will bring him over to the scone side :)
Colleen @ What's Baking in the Barbershop?! says
I didn’t start to love scones until I started to make my own. And now I can’t get enough! If you have the right recipe, they are a far cry from dry and boring! Your carrot cake version may need to happen in my kitchen asap :) They look great!
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says
I love that you include “Husbands take!” I always get mines opinion too! These look dynamite. I love scones and I love carrot cake…so basically, my face needs these. Like yesterday.
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says
Carrot cake anything makes my heart sing. LOVE this!