16 Easy Scone Recipes You'll Love for Afternoon Tea or Breakfast

Everyone knows that scones hail from across the pond, but some are unclear on what exactly qualifies as a scone. We'll help set the record straight: Scones are quick breads, and in the UK, they are generally made with milk and self-rising flour, without eggs. English scones are not glazed or frosted, and they are generally split open and spread with butter or clotted cream and jam. (Yes, please!) Our scones tend to be richer and more cake-like, usually made with egg and heavy cream or buttermilk. Though some of these recipes use cake flour for a more delicate, English-style texture, we mostly use all-purpose flour. You can also make them strong and healthy breakfast contenders using oats or buckwheat flour—or make them gluten-free with rice flour and quinoa flakes.

Whether you shape them into circles or elegant triangles (or skip the rolling out by making the drop scones), the key is to not overwork the dough to maintain a light, airy texture. Quick to make and easy to enjoy, scones are best the day they're made, but you can freeze leftovers for another day.