Golden Apple Cinnamon Scones with Rich Maple Butter

Indulge in the ultimate autumn experience with our incredibly moist Apple Cinnamon Scones, generously studded with crisp Envy apples and fragrant cinnamon chips. Elevate every bite with a generous dollop of our luxurious homemade Maple Butter, crafting a truly unforgettable Fall treat!

For more delightful apple creations, be sure to explore our Slow Cooker Butterfinger® Stuffed Apples.

Perfectly baked Apple Cinnamon Scones with Maple Butter drizzle on a cooling rack

Irresistibly Moist Apple Cinnamon Scones with Homemade Maple Butter

As the leaves begin to turn and the air grows crisp, there’s no better way to welcome the beauty of Fall than with the comforting aroma of freshly baked goods. We’re thrilled to kick off our special “Apple Week” celebration, a delightful collaboration with over 40 fellow food bloggers and amazing sponsors, bringing you more than 200 apple-centric recipes throughout this week. If you’re an apple enthusiast, you’ve certainly come to the right place!

Our star recipe today, these exquisite Apple Cinnamon Scones with Maple Butter, is designed to redefine your scone experience. For far too long, scones have suffered from a reputation for being dry, crumbly, and frankly, unappetizing. Many bakers, myself included, have shied away from making them, fearing a less-than-perfect result. However, I’m here to tell you that achieving a scone that is wonderfully moist, tender, and bursting with flavor is not only possible but surprisingly simple.

These Apple Cinnamon Scones with Maple Butter are nothing short of spectacular. Each bite is a symphony of textures and tastes, thanks to the generous chunks of sweet, crisp Envy Apples and the delightful pockets of melted cinnamon chips. But the true magic happens when you spread a spoonful of our velvety maple butter over the warm scone. It’s an embrace of autumnal flavors, a true embodiment of Fall in every single, delicious mouthful.

Close-up of a cut Apple Cinnamon Scone showing the apple chunks and cinnamon chips, ready for Maple Butter

The Star Ingredient: Why Envy Apples Make All the Difference

The choice of apple is paramount in any apple-based recipe, and for these apple cinnamon scones, we’ve selected the magnificent Envy Apple. We were incredibly fortunate that Envy Apples graciously provided a case of their premium fruit to all participating #AppleWeek bloggers, and we are so grateful they did! From the very first bite, these apples have soared to the top of our favorite fruit list. They boast a remarkable crispness, an incredibly delicious sweetness, and a bright, refreshing flavor profile that holds up beautifully in baking.

As described on the Envy Apples website, “Envy was born using natural plant-breeding methods, crossing Braeburn with Royal Gala apples, to take full advantage of New Zealand’s ideal growing conditions. The result is pure bliss.” And truly, bliss they are. Their firm texture ensures they don’t turn to mush during baking, maintaining delightful apple chunks throughout the scone, while their natural sweetness reduces the need for excessive added sugar. This makes them the perfect complement to the warm spice of cinnamon.

To celebrate the generosity of our sponsors, make sure you keep an eye out for potential giveaways! Envy Apples often offers a chance to win gift cards and even a fresh supply of their amazing apples, so you can experience their pure bliss for yourself.

Three golden brown Apple Cinnamon Scones arranged aesthetically, highlighting their texture and appealing crust

Elevating Flavor with Maple Sugar and Homemade Maple Butter

While the scones themselves are a triumph, the addition of maple butter truly takes them to another level. For a touch of elegant sweetness and a deeper maple essence, I love to sprinkle the scones with maple sugar. During a recent visit to The Spice House website, I stumbled upon their exquisite maple sugar and knew I had to try it. It’s every bit as delicious as it sounds, providing a nuanced, warm sweetness that complements the apples and cinnamon perfectly without being overpowering. It creates a subtle, caramelized crust on top of the scones that is simply divine.

The maple butter, however, is the real game-changer. It’s incredibly easy to whip up and adds a rich, creamy, and subtly sweet counterpoint to the spiced scones. Imagine fresh butter blended with pure maple syrup, perhaps a touch of vanilla, creating a spread that melts beautifully into the warm crevices of a scone. This homemade maple butter is a must-try and transforms a delicious scone into an extraordinary Fall indulgence.

The Secret to Perfectly Moist Scones: Dispelling the Dry Myth

The common perception that scones are inherently dry is a misconception we aim to correct with this recipe. The secret to achieving a light, tender, and moist scone lies in a few key techniques. First, always ensure your butter is very cold and cut into small pieces – some even recommend grating frozen butter. This cold butter creates pockets of steam during baking, resulting in a flaky texture. Secondly, avoid overworking the dough. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, leading to a tough, dry scone. Mix just until the ingredients are combined, leaving the dough slightly shaggy.

The inclusion of finely diced Envy apples also contributes significantly to the scone’s moisture content, releasing natural juices as they bake. Combined with the right ratio of wet to dry ingredients and a gentle hand, you’ll find these Apple Cinnamon Scones are a testament to how truly delightful and moist scones can be.

Tender, moist, and bursting with apple cinnamon flavor, these Apple Cinnamon Scones with Maple Butter will undeniably become your new favorite Fall treat!

Close-up of an Apple Cinnamon Scone with Maple Butter melting over it, on a wooden board

Freshly baked Apple Cinnamon Scones ready to be served

Print Recipe

Apple Cinnamon Scones with Maple Butter

Prep

Cook

Total

Author Strawberry Blondie Kitchen

Yield 8 scones

These incredibly moist Apple Cinnamon Scones, studded with crisp Envy apples and fragrant cinnamon chips, are perfectly complemented by rich homemade Maple Butter. A quintessential Fall treat!

Ingredients

For the Scones

  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, very cold and cubed
  • 1 large Envy apple, peeled, cored, and finely diced
  • ¾ cup cinnamon chips
  • ¾ cup heavy cream, plus extra for brushing
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Maple sugar for sprinkling (optional)

For the Maple Butter

  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • ¼ cup pure maple syrup
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

For the Scones

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
  3. Cut in the cold cubed butter using a pastry blender or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining.
  4. Gently fold in the diced Envy apples and cinnamon chips.
  5. In a separate small bowl, whisk together heavy cream, egg, and vanilla extract.
  6. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix with a fork or your hands just until combined and a shaggy dough forms. Do not overmix.
  7. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Gently knead a few times (no more than 5-6 times) until it comes together. Form into an 8-inch disc, about 1-inch thick.
  8. Cut the disc into 8 wedges. Place the wedges on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the tops lightly with extra heavy cream and sprinkle with maple sugar, if using.
  9. Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool slightly on a wire rack.

For the Maple Butter

  1. In a medium bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter, pure maple syrup, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt.
  2. Using an electric mixer or a whisk, beat until light and fluffy.
  3. Serve immediately with warm scones or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Bring to room temperature before serving.

Notes

For best results, ensure all dairy ingredients are very cold. Do not overmix the dough to keep scones tender.

Courses Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert, Snack

Cuisine American

We hope you enjoyed this first delectable recipe from our Apple Week on the blog! Make sure to stay tuned throughout the week, as we will be sharing a brand new apple recipe each day. Prepare your taste buds for an exciting journey through sweet, savory, and even pizza and one-pan apple dishes! There’s something for everyone, so keep checking back.

In the meantime, we wholeheartedly recommend that you gather your ingredients and whip up a batch of these glorious Apple Cinnamon Scones with Maple Butter. It’s the perfect way to celebrate the vibrant flavors of the season and bring warmth and comfort into your home.

A stack of warm Apple Cinnamon Scones with a small bowl of Maple Butter beside them, ready to be enjoyed

More Apple Delights from Apple Week

If you happened to miss any of the other incredible apple recipes featured this week on the blog, don’t worry! Catch up on all the deliciousness below:

  • One Pan Pork Chops with Apples and Cinnamon: A simple yet flavorful weeknight dinner.
  • Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars: A decadent dessert combining two beloved fall flavors.
  • Apple and Plum Crumble: A comforting and fruity classic, perfect with a scoop of ice cream.
  • Apple, Bacon and Caramelized Onion Pizza: An unexpected and delicious savory twist.
  • Stuffed Apples with Cheddar and Sausage: A hearty and unique dish, perfect for a cozy evening.

Remember, each day this week, myself and all my wonderful blogger friends are showcasing a variety of incredible apple recipes. Be sure to check them out daily for endless inspiration!

Monday’s Apple Week Recipes: A Harvest of Flavor!

  • Apple & Lentil Andouille Crockpot Stew by Faith, Hope, Love & Luck
  • Apples and Chai Smoothie by Our Good Life
  • Apple Cider Cutout Cookies by Kate’s Recipe Box
  • Apple Cider Pancakes by Family Around the Table
  • Apple Cinnamon Pull Aparts by The Freshman Cook
  • Apple Crepes by Caroline’s Cooking
  • Apple Crisp Ebelskivers by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
  • Apple Fritter Monkey Bread by Mildly Meandering
  • Apple Herb Stuffed Pork Chops by West Via Midwest
  • Apple Pudding by The Anthony Kitchen
  • Apple Raisin Oatmeal Cookies by The Monday Box
  • Apple Cinnamon Scones with Maple Sugar Butter by Strawberry Blondie Kitchen
  • Apple Stuffed Chicken Breast by Seduction in the Kitchen
  • Apple Upside Down Cake by Lemon Blossoms
  • Appledoodle Cookies by Cookaholic Wife
  • Applesauce Coffee Cake by An Affair from the Heart
  • Applesauce Muffins by A Day in the Life on the Farm
  • Baked Apple Donuts by Corn, Beans, Pigs and Kids
  • Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Apples by Simple and Savory
  • Bourbon Apple Pecan Bread Pudding by Soulfully Made
  • Caramel Apple Crumb Cake by The Redhead Baker
  • Caramel Apple Jam by Books n’ Cooks
  • Gingersnapple Tart by Jolene’s Recipe Journal
  • Chicken Salad Apple Bites by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
  • Dutch Apple Cobbler with Cheesecake Topping by Who Needs a Cape?
  • Dutch Apple Coffee Cake by Daily Dish Recipes
  • German Apple Pancakes with Cider Syrup by House of Nash Eats
  • Grilled Cheddar Cheese with Apples and Hatch Chile Hot Sauce by Culinary Adventures With Camilla
  • One Pot Jamaican Jerk Chicken and Apples by Jonesin’ for Taste
  • Oven Roasted Apple Butter by Savory Moments
  • Salted Caramel Apple Crumble by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
  • Savory Skillet Chicken and Apples by Cooking With Carlee
  • Skillet Pork Chops with Apples and Bacon by The Anthony Kitchen
  • Slow Cooker Pork with Apples by Palatable Pastime
  • Sugar Free Apple Pie with Crumble Topping by Tip Garden
  • Vegan Caramel Apple Galette by The Baking Fairy

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Promotional image for Apple Cinnamon Scones with Maple Butter, highlighting the recipe and fall theme

Disclaimer: We extend our heartfelt gratitude to AppleWeek Sponsors: Swiss Diamond, Nordic Ware, Envy Apples, Imperial Sugar, The Spice House, Rodelle Vanilla, Flahavan’s Irish Oats and Nairn’s  for generously providing the prizes free of charge. These esteemed companies also supplied the participating bloggers with samples and products to use for their AppleWeek recipes. All opinions expressed herein are entirely our own. The AppleWeek giveaway is open exclusively to U.S. residents, age 18 & up. All entries submitted by the potential winner will be thoroughly checked and verified. By entering, participants grant the right to use their name and likeness. The final number of eligible entries received will determine the odds of winning. Seven (7) winners will be carefully selected. The prize packages will be dispatched directly from the respective giveaway sponsors. The AppleWeek Bloggers hold no responsibility for the fulfillment or delivery of the prize packages. Bloggers hosting this giveaway and their immediate family members residing in their household are not eligible to enter or win the giveaway. No purchase is necessary to enter. This offer is void where prohibited by law. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, or administered by, nor associated with Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, or any other social channel mentioned in the AppleWeek posts or entry.