Warm, buttery, and infused with aromatic chai spices, these Chai Scones are a must-try treat that elevate your baking game. Made with grated frozen butter for a perfectly flaky texture, this recipe blends cozy flavors like cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger into a scone that pairs beautifully with your morning tea or coffee. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner, this easy recipe will fill your kitchen with irresistible aromas and deliver a bakery-worthy result. Let’s dive into why these scones are the ultimate fall indulgence and how to make them!

Why You’ll Love Chai Scones

Chai scones aren’t just another baked good—they’re a flavor-packed experience. The combination of grated frozen butter and chai spices creates a tender, flaky scone with a warm, spiced kick. Here’s why this recipe stands out:

Flaky Perfection: Grating frozen butter ensures a light, airy texture that melts in your mouth.
Bold Chai Flavors: A blend of cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves delivers cozy, aromatic warmth.
Easy to Make: Simple ingredients and straightforward steps make this recipe beginner-friendly.
Versatile Pairing: Perfect with tea, coffee, or even a drizzle of honey for extra decadence.
Seasonal Bliss: Ideal for fall gatherings, brunches, or cozy afternoons at home.

Scone Ingredients

flour
sugar
baking powder
chai spice
butter
heavy cream
egg
vanilla bean paste

Step by Step Chai Scone Directions

Preheat and Prep: Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, and chai spice. You can buy or you can find my favorite chai spice recipe here.
Grate Butter: Using a box grater, grate frozen butter into the dry mixture. Toss gently to coat butter in flour.
Combine Wet Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk heavy cream, egg, and vanilla bean paste. You can use vanilla extract instead of vanilla bean paste.
Form Dough: Pour wet ingredients into dry. Stir until just combined—don’t overmix!
Shape Scones: Turn dough onto a floured surface, pat into an 8-inch round, and cut into 8 wedges.
Bake: Place wedges on the baking sheet, brush with cream, and sprinkle with coarse sugar. Bake for 18-22 minutes until golden.
Cool and Enjoy: Let scones cool slightly before serving warm.

Pro Tips for Perfect Chai Scones

Keep It Cold: Frozen butter and cold cream are key to flaky layers. Don’t skip the freezer!
Don’t Overwork the Dough: Mix just until combined to avoid tough scones.
Customize Your Spices: Adjust the chai spice blend to your taste—add a pinch of nutmeg for extra warmth. If you love a strong chai drink you might want to double the chai spice in this recipe.
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days or freeze for up to a month.

Chai Scones

A delicious and flaky scone with those warm spices that come with a chai.

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 22

Total Time 32

Serving Size 8 scones

Equipment

1 baking sheet
1 grater

Ingredients

2 cups all purpose flour
⅓ cup granulated sugar
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp chai spice
½ cup salted butter frozen (if you don't have salted butter, use regular butter, but add ¼ tsp salt).
½ cup heavy cream
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
2 tbsp heavy cream for brushing on top of scones

Icing

½ cup powdered sugar
1 tsp milk

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400℉. Place a sheet of parchment paper on a baking sheet.
In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and chai spice.
Grate the frozen butter into the flour mixture. Mix together to coat the butter with flour. (if your kitchen is warm, place flour/butter bowl in fridge until you need it again).
In a small bowl, whisk together the ½ cup of heavy cream, egg, and vanilla bean paste.
Make a well in the center of the flour mixture, pour the cream mixture in the center and gently mix the wet and dry ingredients together. (it will still be a little dry and crumbly looking)
Pour the mixture out on a work surface and press and pat the scone dough into an 8 inch circle. Then cut the circle into 8 pieces.
Move the pieces to the parchment lined baking sheet. Brush the tops of each scone with heavy cream.
If desired, sprinkle some chai spice on top of each scone.
Bake in preheated oven for 18-23 minutes, until the top is a light golden brown.
Let the scone cool on the baking sheet for at least 15 minutes before serving of icing.

Icing

Mix together powdered sugar and milk to form a simple icing to drizzle on top of scones if desired.

Video

Notes

Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Why Grated Frozen Butter Makes a Difference

Using grated frozen butter is a game-changer for scones. It creates tiny pockets of butter that melt during baking, resulting in a tender, flaky texture that’s hard to resist. This technique ensures even distribution without overworking the dough, making your scones light and buttery every time.