Traditional Scottish Treacle Scones Recipe

Introduction

Treacle scones are a beloved traditional Scottish treat, perfect for teatime or a cozy snack. These sweet, spiced scones have a delightful hint of treacle and warming spices that make them irresistible. With a soft, fluffy texture, they’re simple to make and wonderfully comforting.

Ingredients

• 225 g self-raising flour
• 1 tbsp caster sugar
• Pinch of salt
• 1/2 tsp baking powder (optional for extra fluffiness)
• 90 g butter
• 1 egg
• 4 tbsp milk
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp mixed spice
• 1 tbsp treacle

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F) and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
2. Step 2: Sift the self-raising flour, salt, ground ginger, and mixed spice into a large mixing bowl. Make a small well in the center.
3. Step 3: Gently heat the butter, caster sugar, and treacle in a small pan, stirring until the sugar dissolves completely. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
4. Step 4: Crack the egg into the cooled butter mixture and add most of the milk, reserving a little milk for glazing. Mix well, then pour this liquid into the well of dry ingredients.
5. Step 5: Stir everything together until it forms a soft dough.
6. Step 6: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead gently once or twice to bring it together.
7. Step 7: Roll the dough out to about 2–3 cm (1 inch) thick. Use a round cookie cutter or a small glass to cut out scone rounds.
8. Step 8: Place the scones onto the prepared baking tray and brush the tops lightly with the reserved milk for a nice glaze.
9. Step 9: Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 12 minutes, or until the scones are golden brown.

Tips & Variations

• For extra fluffy scones, don’t skip the baking powder and handle the dough gently to avoid overworking it.
• If you prefer a richer flavor, substitute some of the milk with cream.
• Try adding a handful of currants or raisins for a fruity twist.
• Brush the scones with beaten egg instead of milk for a deeper golden color.

Storage

Store cooled scones in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To keep them fresh longer, freeze the scones in a sealed bag for up to 1 month. Reheat in a warm oven for 5–7 minutes before serving to regain their soft texture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular flour instead of self-raising flour?

If you only have plain flour, you can make your own self-raising mix by adding 2 teaspoons of baking powder per 225 g of flour. This will help your scones rise properly.

What is treacle, and can I substitute it?

Treacle is a thick, dark syrup made during the sugar refining process, similar to molasses. If you don’t have treacle, you can substitute golden syrup or dark molasses for a slightly different but still delicious flavor.

Traditional Scottish Treacle Scones Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 84 reviews

Traditional Scottish Treacle Scones are a delightful treat with a subtle sweetness and warm spices, perfect for afternoon tea or breakfast. These fluffy, golden-baked scones are enriched with treacle, mixed spices, and ginger, giving them a uniquely comforting flavor that’s both nostalgic and delicious.

• Author: Logan
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 12 mins
• Total Time: 27 mins
• Yield: 8–10 scones 1x
• Category: Baking
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Scottish
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dry Ingredients

• 225 g self-raising flour
• 1 tbsp caster sugar
• Pinch of salt
• 1/2 tsp baking powder (optional, for extra fluffiness)
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp mixed spice

Wet Ingredients

• 90 g butter
• 1 tbsp treacle
• 1 egg
• 4 tbsp milk (plus extra for glazing)

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F) and line a baking tray with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: Sift the self-raising flour, salt, ground ginger, and mixed spice into a large mixing bowl. Create a well in the center of this dry mix to prepare for the wet ingredients.
3. Melt Butter Mixture: In a small saucepan, gently heat the butter with the caster sugar and treacle, stirring continuously until the sugar has completely dissolved and the mixture is smooth. Remove from heat and allow it to cool slightly.
4. Combine Wet Ingredients: Beat the egg lightly, then add it and most of the milk (reserve a little milk for glazing) to the slightly cooled butter mixture. Mix thoroughly.
5. Create Dough: Pour the wet mixture into the well in the dry ingredients. Stir gently until a soft dough forms, being careful not to overmix.
6. Knead Dough: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead gently once or twice to bring it together without toughening it.
7. Roll and Cut: Roll the dough out to a thickness of about 2-3 cm (1 inch). Use a round cookie cutter or a small glass to cut out rounds for the scones.
8. Prepare for Baking: Place the cut scones onto the prepared baking tray. Brush the tops lightly with the reserved milk to create a glossy, golden finish when baked.
9. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 12 minutes or until the scones are risen and golden brown on top. Remove from oven and cool slightly before serving.

Notes

• For extra fluffy scones, adding baking powder is recommended.
• Be careful not to over-knead the dough to keep the scones light and tender.
• Treacle adds a unique, rich flavor; substitute with golden syrup if unavailable, though the taste will differ.
• Serve warm with butter, clotted cream, or jam for a classic Scottish experience.
• Store scones in an airtight container to keep them fresh for up to two days.

Keywords: Scottish treacle scones, traditional scones recipe, treacle, baking scones, afternoon tea recipe, spicy scones