Save to Pinterest These tender scones are enriched with warming chai spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger, combined with the subtle flavor of black tea. Featuring a buttery, slightly crumbly texture, they offer a cozy treat ideal for breakfast or a relaxed afternoon. The dough mixes dry spices and ground tea with cold butter, blended gently with milk, sour cream, egg, and vanilla. After shaping into wedges and baking to golden perfection, an optional chai tea glaze adds a sweet finishing touch. Serve warm with butter or clotted cream for a comforting bite.
Discovering these spiced chai latte scones was like stumbling upon a warm hug on a chilly morning, their blend of fragrant spices and tea instantly becoming my go-to comfort treat.
I remember the first time unexpected guests dropped by and these scones saved the day, filling the kitchen with inviting aromas and winning everyone over instantly.
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour: I always reach for good quality flour to ensure the crumb is tender yet sturdy.
- Chai spices: A blend of cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, nutmeg, and cloves gives these scones their signature warm flavor.
- Black tea: Using finely ground black tea adds subtle depth without overpowering the other flavors.
- Cold unsalted butter: Chilling the butter is key to flaky layers, so keep it cold until mix-in time.
- Sour cream: Adds moisture and a slight tang that brightens the spices perfectly.
- Vanilla extract: Just a hint to round out the chai flavors beautifully.
- Optional glaze: Powdered sugar mixed with chai tea adds a sweet, spiced finish that’s worth the extra step.
Instructions
- Get Everything Ready:
- Preheat your oven and line the baking sheet so you’re all set when the dough is ready.
- Mix Dry Ingredients:
- Whisk together the flour, sugar, leavening, salt, chai spices, and the finely ground tea. The spicy aroma will start to invite you in.
- Cut In Butter:
- Add the cold cubed butter, then quickly cut it in with a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mix reminds you of coarse crumbs with little buttery bits peeking through.
- Whisk Wet Ingredients:
- In another bowl, combine milk, sour cream, egg, and vanilla. The creaminess balances the spice punch.
- Bring It Together:
- Pour the wet into the dry and stir gently. Don’t overwork the dough—when it looks just mixed, stop.
- Shape and Cut:
- Turn the dough onto a floured surface, pat into a thick circle, then cut into wedges. Get that satisfying snap as you separate the pieces.
- Bake to Golden Perfection:
- Place wedges on the baking sheet and bake until golden with centers set—a warm spicy scent will fill your kitchen.
- Glaze if You Like:
- Mix powdered sugar with chai tea to drizzle a gentle, sweet glaze atop cooled scones for extra charm.
Save to Pinterest This recipe isn’t just about food; it became a ritual of connection, comforting friends and family with every warm scone and steaming cup of chai.
Serving Ideas That Clicked
Serving these scones alongside a cup of chai tea or black tea instantly elevates a simple snack into a thoughtful gathering moment full of cozy chats.
Keeping It Fresh
Store scones in an airtight container at room temperature for a day or two, or freeze for longer. Warm them briefly before serving to refresh their tender crumb and spices.
A Time This Recipe Saved the Day
When last-minute guests arrived, pulling these scones from the oven felt like a magic trick—fresh, fragrant, and impressively homemade.
- Don’t stress if your dough feels a touch sticky; a little flour on your hands helps tame it.
- Oh wait one more thing: sprinkle cinnamon sugar before baking for an extra cozy touch.
- Remember to not overmix—the gentler you are, the fluffier the scones.
Save to Pinterest Thanks for sharing this kitchen time with me—hope your scones come out just as comforting and joyful as mine do every time.
Questions & Answers About the Recipe
- → What spices give chai scones their unique flavor?
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Cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves combine with black tea to create chai's warming, aromatic profile.
- → Can I substitute sour cream in the batter?
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Yes, Greek yogurt works well as a substitute, adding similar moisture and tanginess for tender scones.
- → How should the butter be incorporated into the dry ingredients?
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Cold, cubed butter should be cut in until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs to ensure a flaky texture.
- → Is the chai tea flavor strong in the final baked scones?
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The ground black tea infuses a subtle, earthy note that complements the warm spices without overpowering.
- → How do I prepare the optional glaze?
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Whisk powdered sugar with brewed chai tea or milk until thick but pourable, then drizzle over cooled scones.
