Easy Dried Apricot Scones Recipe

There’s something comforting and relaxing about the combination of warm scones fresh from the oven and a soothing cup of tea. This recipe for apricot scones is a perfect blend of sweet, tangy apricots and buttery scone goodness.

Don’t be intimidated by the idea of making your own scones. They are really quite easy to make. The only secret to perfect scones is to ensure that your butter and cream are cold when you mix them. 

I shaped these apricot scones into triangles, but you can use a cookie cutter or just roll them in a ball and flatten them. 

Ingredients for Apricot Scones

Flour: All-purpose flour is fine for this recipe.

Sugar: Granulated sugar for sweetness. Dried fruit usually has a lot of sweetness, but apricots are a bit tangy.

Baking powder: To help the scones rise while baking

Salt: Regular table salt is fine. You can omit the salt if you are using salted butter.

Butter: Cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces. Keep the butter refrigerated until ready to use.

Apricots: Dried apricots, diced. Fresh apricots would add too much liquid to this recipe.

Cream: Heavy cream, kept cold until used.

Egg: One large egg

Vanilla Extract

Extra heavy cream and sugar for topping

Baking Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

3. Cut in Butter: Add the cold butter to the flour mixture and use a pastry blender or your fingers to blend until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

4. Add Apricots: Stir in the diced apricots.

5. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, egg, and vanilla extract.

6. Combine Mixtures: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Do not overmix.

7. Shape Dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead it a few times. Pat the dough into a large circle about 1 inch thick. Use a sharp knife to cut the dough into eight wedges and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Alternatively, you can roll the dough out with a rolling pin and cut into rounds with a cookie cutter. 

8. Top and Bake: Brush the tops of the scones with a bit of heavy cream and sprinkle with sugar. 

9. Place on prepared baking sheets and bake for 15-18 minutes or until golden brown.

10. Cool and Serve: Let the scones cool on a wire rack before serving.

Best Tea Pairings for Apricot Scones

Scones are delicious served warm with hot tea. Here are some suggestions for teas that pair well with apricot scones.

1. Earl Grey: The citrusy notes of Earl Grey beautifully complement the sweet and tangy flavor of apricots.

2. Chamomile: Pair your scones with chamomile tea for a calming experience. Its gentle, floral flavor enhances the apricot’s natural sweetness.

3. Green Tea: A light and refreshing green tea with a hint of floral or fruity notes can balance the richness of the scones.

4. Oolong: This semi-oxidized tea offers a perfect blend of floral and fruity flavors, making it a delightful companion for apricot scones.

Whether you’re hosting an afternoon tea party or simply indulging in a quiet moment for yourself, these apricot scones paired with the right tea are the perfect combination.