Scone

baking · British food · tea time · baked goods

British and Irish tradition. Scones are a beloved baked good in the United Kingdom and Ireland, and they're also popular in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. But in the US, scones are made differently, usually sweeter and cut into triangles.

Made with simple ingredients. Scones are typically made from wheat flour or oatmeal mixed with baking powder to help them rise. They're baked on sheet pans or sometimes fried in a frying pan until golden and delicious.

Sweet or savory choices. You can enjoy a scone that's lightly sweetened or one that's savory with no sugar at all. Some scones get a shiny egg wash glaze on top to make them extra special.

Star of afternoon tea. Sweet scones are a key part of cream tea and afternoon tea, where they're served with jam and clotted cream. They're different from teacakes and other sweet breads because they use baking powder instead of yeast.

International recognition. Scones were so important to Irish food culture that they were chosen as Ireland's representative treat for Cafe Europe during the Austrian presidency of the European Union in 2006.