Discover the cozy magic baked into this Chai Pear Scones Recipe—a delightful blend of warm spices and juicy, tender pear pieces nestled in flaky, buttery scones. Perfect for weekend brunches or an afternoon treat with tea, these scones bring comfort and a touch of spice to your baking repertoire.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Warm & Inviting Flavors: The chai spice blend perfectly complements the juicy sweetness of fresh pears for an irresistible aroma and taste.
- Buttery, Flaky Texture: Cold butter and careful mixing create scones that are tender inside with a delicate crumb.
- Easy to Make at Home: Simple pantry staples come together in under an hour for fresh, bakery-style scones without the fuss.
- Perfect For Any Occasion: Fantastic with morning coffee or as a sweet afternoon pick-me-up to impress loved ones.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What’s great about the Chai Pear Scones Recipe is how straightforward the ingredients are, yet each plays a vital role. From the warm spices that give the chai touch to the crisp diced pear adding juicy sweetness, every component shines through in the final bite.
- All-purpose flour: Forms the base for tender, flaky scones—make sure to measure accurately for the best texture.
- Granulated sugar: Adds just the right touch of sweetness to balance the spices and fruit.
- Baking powder and baking soda: Essential leavening agents that help the scones rise beautifully.
- Ground cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cardamom: The chai spice mix that infuses the scones with warm, aromatic flavors.
- Medium pear: Peeled and diced to provide bursts of juicy freshness in each bite.
- Cold unsalted butter: Cut into pieces; cold butter ensures a flaky, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the flavor complexity and ties the spices and pear together.
- Cold buttermilk: Adds moisture and a slight tang, supporting tender crumb structure.
- Heavy cream: Used for brushing the tops to create a lovely golden finish.
- For the glaze – confectioners’ sugar, cinnamon, and heavy cream: Drizzled on top for a sweet, spiced finishing touch.
Note: Exact ingredients and measurements are listed in the recipe card below.
Variations
The beauty of the Chai Pear Scones Recipe is how easy it is to customize. Whether you want to switch up flavors or cater to dietary needs, you can adapt this recipe in creative ways to suit your unique taste buds.
- Swap Pears for Apples or Peaches: Seasonal fruit substitutions bring a fresh twist without overwhelming the chai spices.
- Make It Vegan: Use vegan butter and a plant-based milk like almond or oat milk mixed with lemon juice to mimic buttermilk.
- Add Nuts: Toss in chopped walnuts or pecans for extra crunch and texture contrast.
- Play With Spices: Increase cardamom for a more floral note or add a dash of cloves for deeper warmth.
How to Make Chai Pear Scones Recipe
Step 1: Mix Dry Ingredients and Cut in Butter
Start by whisking together all the dry ingredients—flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and those wonderful chai spices—in a large bowl. Then, cut the cold butter into the flour mixture using a pastry blender, two knives, or your fingertips until it looks like coarse crumbs. This step is key to achieving the flaky texture we love! Gently fold in the diced pears so they distribute evenly without bruising.
Step 2: Combine Wet Ingredients and Form Dough
Whisk the vanilla extract into the cold buttermilk, then slowly add this to your flour mixture. Stir gently and just until the dough comes together—think moist but not sticky. Overmixing will create tough scones, so patience here is your best friend! If the dough feels dry, add a splash more buttermilk.
Step 3: Shape and Chill the Dough
Lightly flour your surface and knead the dough gently about four to five times to bring it together. Pat it into a 7-inch round, then slice the circle in half and each half into four wedges. Place these spaced on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Here’s a trick: pop the tray in the freezer for about 30 minutes — this helps the scones hold their shape and encourages a beautifully golden crust.
Step 4: Bake and Glaze Your Scones
Heat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and brush the tops of the chilled scones with heavy cream to aid browning. Bake for 15–20 minutes until golden and fragrant. Once cooled slightly on a wire rack, drizzle with the cinnamon-sugar glaze made from confectioners’ sugar, cinnamon, and heavy cream. The glaze adds a lovely sweet and spiced finish that’s simply irresistible!
Pro Tips for Making Chai Pear Scones Recipe
- Keep Butter Cold: Always keep your butter chilled and handle the dough minimally to get flaky, tender scones.
- Don’t Overwork Dough: Overkneading will develop gluten making your scones dense instead of light and airy.
- Freeze Before Baking: Chilling the shaped scones lets butter harden again for a lift and crisp edges.
- Add Fruit Gently: Fold in the pears carefully so they don’t get mushy or release too much moisture into the dough.
How to Serve Chai Pear Scones Recipe
Garnishes
To highlight the warm chai flavors, consider sprinkling a pinch of cinnamon or dusting a little extra powdered sugar on top. Fresh pear slices or a small dollop of clotted cream enhances the fruity aroma and adds an elegant touch if serving guests.
Side Dishes
Pair these scones with a hot cup of chai tea or freshly brewed coffee for the ultimate cozy experience. A bowl of tangy yogurt or a fresh fruit salad also complements the spices beautifully and balances the richness.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange the scones in a rustic basket lined with linen for a charming presentation. You could also serve them on a wooden board with small bowls of honey, jam, or clotted cream alongside, turning a simple snack into a beautiful spread.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover chai pear scones in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. To maintain freshness, wrap them tightly to prevent drying out.
Freezing
These scones freeze beautifully! Wrap each cooled scone individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag for up to three months. This is perfect if you want to prep ahead or save extras for later.
Reheating
To reheat, pop frozen or stored scones in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes until warmed through and slightly crisp on the edges. Avoid the microwave to keep that authentic flaky texture.
FAQs
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Can I use canned or cooked pears instead of fresh pears?
Fresh pears are best for this recipe since they hold their shape and provide the ideal texture and moisture. Canned or cooked pears are softer and might make the dough too wet, affecting the scones’ structure.
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How can I make these scones dairy-free?
Simply swap the butter for a high-quality vegan butter or coconut oil and use a plant-based milk mixed with a splash of lemon juice or vinegar to replicate buttermilk. The heavy cream can be omitted or replaced with coconut cream for brushing and glaze.
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Why do my scones turn out dense sometimes?
Dense scones usually result from overmixing or overkneading the dough. Be gentle and stir just until ingredients come together, then knead only a few times. Also, ensure your baking powder and soda are fresh for proper rise.
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Can I add other dried fruits or nuts to this recipe?
Absolutely! Chopped dried fruits like cranberries or raisins, as well as nuts like walnuts or pecans, can be folded in with the pears to add more texture and flavor layers to your scones.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been searching for a scone recipe that’s bursting with warm chai spice and juicy pear goodness, this Chai Pear Scones Recipe is your new best friend in the kitchen. It’s simple to make yet sophisticated enough to delight your whole family or impress guests. So, gather your ingredients and treat yourself to these little pillows of comfort — you won’t regret it!
PrintChai Pear Scones Recipe
These Chai Pear Scones combine warm chai spices with tender, juicy pear pieces for a delightful breakfast or snack. The scones are lightly sweetened and feature a cinnamon glaze that adds a perfect finishing touch. With a tender crumb and aromatic spices, these scones are perfect paired with tea or coffee.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 scones
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
For the scones
- 2 3/4 cups (357 g) all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup (66 g) granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1 medium pear, peeled, cored, and diced
- 1/2 cup (113 g) unsalted butter, cold and cut into pieces
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk, cold
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream
For the glaze
- 1 cup (120 g) confectioners’ sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 3-4 tablespoons heavy cream
Instructions
- Mix the dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, ground nutmeg, and ground cardamom until well combined.
- Cut in the butter: Using a pastry blender, two knives, or your fingertips, cut the cold unsalted butter into the flour mixture until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gently fold in the diced pear pieces, ensuring they are evenly distributed.
- Add wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the vanilla extract and cold buttermilk together. Gradually add this mixture to the dry ingredients, stirring just until the dough starts to come together. Be careful not to overmix; stop when the dough is moist but not wet.
- Form the dough: Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead it four to five times to bring it together. Pat the dough into a 7-inch round circle.
- Cut and chill: Cut the dough circle in half, then cut each half into four triangular wedges. Arrange the scones about 2 inches apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze the scones for 30 minutes to help them firm up before baking.
- Preheat the oven: Position the oven rack in the center and preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Prepare for baking: Brush the tops of the chilled scones with heavy cream to encourage browning and a rich finish.
- Bake the scones: Bake the scones in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until they turn golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool slightly.
- Make and drizzle glaze: In a small bowl, whisk the confectioners’ sugar, ground cinnamon, and 3-4 tablespoons of heavy cream until smooth and pourable. Drizzle the glaze over the warm scones and serve best when fresh.
Notes
- For best texture, keep the butter cold until just before cutting it into the dry ingredients.
- Do not overmix the dough to avoid tough scones.
- Freezing the scones before baking helps them retain their shape and promotes a crisp exterior.
- Adjust the amount of buttermilk as needed to achieve the correct dough consistency.
- Scones are best enjoyed the same day but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Reheat gently before serving for best flavor and warmth.
