Chai Pear Scones Recipe

Introduction

Chai Pear Scones blend warm spices with sweet, juicy pears for a comforting treat perfect for breakfast or afternoon tea. These tender, fragrant scones are enhanced with a cinnamon glaze that adds just the right touch of sweetness.

Ingredients

• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1 medium pear (peeled, cored, and diced)
• ½ cup unsalted butter (cold and cut into pieces)
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup buttermilk (cold)
• 1 tablespoon heavy cream
• 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon (for glaze)
• 3-4 tablespoons heavy cream (for glaze)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F and position the rack in the center.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cardamom until well combined.
3. Step 3: Cut the cold butter into the flour mixture using a pastry blender, two knives, or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gently fold in the diced pear.
4. Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together the vanilla extract and cold buttermilk. Gradually add this liquid to the flour mixture, stirring just until the dough forms. Be careful not to over mix; the dough should be moist but not wet.
5. Step 5: Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead it four or five times. Then, pat it into a 7-inch round circle.
6. Step 6: Cut the circle in half, then each half into four wedges, making eight scones total. Place the scones 2 inches apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for 30 minutes.
7. Step 7: Brush the tops of the chilled scones with heavy cream to help them brown beautifully.
8. Step 8: Bake the scones for 15 to 20 minutes until golden brown. Remove from the oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool slightly.
9. Step 9: While the scones bake, whisk together the confectioners’ sugar, ground cinnamon, and 3-4 tablespoons heavy cream in a small bowl until smooth to make the glaze.
10. Step 10: Drizzle the glaze over the warm scones and enjoy them fresh for the best flavor.

Tips & Variations

• Use ripe but firm pears to avoid too much moisture in the dough.
• For a dairy-free version, substitute buttermilk with almond milk mixed with a teaspoon of lemon juice and use a non-dairy butter alternative.
• If you prefer less spice, reduce the cinnamon and ginger slightly or omit the cardamom.
• Try adding chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans for extra texture.

Storage

Store leftover scones in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To keep them longer, freeze the scones in a sealed bag for up to 3 months. Reheat gently in a warm oven or microwave before serving. The glaze is best added fresh after reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh pear without peeling?

It’s best to peel the pear to keep the scones tender and avoid any tough skin in each bite, but if you prefer, you can leave the peel for extra texture.

What can I substitute for buttermilk?

If you don’t have buttermilk, mix 1 cup of milk with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using to mimic the acidity and texture of buttermilk.

Chai Pear Scones Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 128 reviews

These Chai Pear Scones are a delightful blend of warm chai spices and juicy pear pieces, baked to golden perfection and topped with a cinnamon glaze. Perfect for breakfast or afternoon tea, they offer a tender crumb with a hint of spice and sweetness.

• Author: Dana
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 8 scones 1x
• Category: Breakfast, Brunch, Snack
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Scones

• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1 medium pear, peeled, cored, and diced
• ½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into pieces
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup buttermilk, cold

Topping

• 1 tablespoon heavy cream (for brushing)

Glaze

• 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 3–4 tablespoons heavy cream

Instructions

1. Mix dry ingredients. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cardamom until well combined.
2. Cut in butter and add pears. Using a pastry blender, two knives, or your fingertips, cut the cold butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Gently fold in the diced pear pieces.
3. Add wet ingredients. Whisk vanilla extract and cold buttermilk together, then gradually add to the flour mixture, stirring just until the dough comes together. Add buttermilk slowly to avoid making the dough too wet. Do not over-mix to keep scones tender.
4. Shape the dough. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead it 4-5 times. Pat into a 7-inch round circle.
5. Cut and chill. Cut the circle in half, then cut each half into four triangular wedges. Arrange the wedges on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Freeze the scones for 30 minutes to firm up.
6. Prepare to bake. Preheat the oven to 400°F and position the rack in the center. Brush the tops of the chilled scones with heavy cream to promote browning.
7. Bake the scones. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until the scones turn golden brown. Remove from oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool slightly.
8. Make the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together confectioners’ sugar, ground cinnamon, and 3-4 tablespoons of heavy cream until smooth and pourable.
9. Finish with glaze. Drizzle the cooled scones with the cinnamon glaze just before serving for a sweet, spicy finish.

Notes

• Use cold butter and buttermilk to ensure tender, flaky scones.
• Don’t over-mix the dough to avoid tough scones.
• Freezing the scones before baking helps maintain their shape and results in a flakier texture.
• Consume scones fresh for the best texture and flavor.
• If pears are very juicy, gently pat them dry to prevent soggy dough.

Keywords: chai scones, pear scones, spiced scones, breakfast scones, brunch recipe, cinnamon scones, quick baked goods