Can I use pre-shredded carrots from the store?

Fresh is best for these scones. Pre-shredded carrots tend to be dry and thick, which affects both moisture and texture. Taking the extra minute to grate your own carrots makes a noticeable difference in the final product.

Why did my scones spread too much while baking?

This usually happens when the butter gets too warm before baking. If your kitchen is hot or you've handled the dough extensively, pop the shaped scones in the freezer for 15 minutes before baking to firm up the butter.

Can I make these gluten-free?

Absolutely! Replace the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. The texture may be slightly different, but they'll still be delicious. Consider adding 1/4 teaspoon of xanthan gum if your blend doesn't already include it.

How finely should I shred the carrots?

Use the small holes on your grater for finely shredded carrots. This ensures they blend seamlessly into the dough and cook properly during the short baking time. Larger shreds might remain too crunchy.

Carrot Cake Scones Recipe

Name: Carrot Cake Scones Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1/3 cup granulated sugar; 1 tablespoon baking powder; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice; 1/2 cup cold butter; 1 cup heavy cream; 1/2 cup finely shredded carrots; 1/2 cup chopped walnuts; 1/2 cup powdered sugar; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 2 tablespoons milk (whole, 2%, or 1%); 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

These Carrot Cake Scones transform your favorite spiced dessert into a breakfast treat that’s simply irresistible. Warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice blend with fresh carrots and crunchy walnuts to create tender, flaky scones that capture all the comforting flavors of traditional carrot cake. Topped with a sweet cinnamon glaze, these scones make a perfect companion to your morning coffee or afternoon tea, ready in just 25 minutes from start to finish!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick Morning Treat: These scones come together in just 25 minutes, perfect for busy mornings when you want something special without spending hours in the kitchen.
Dessert for Breakfast: All the beloved flavors of carrot cake in a legitimate breakfast form—no guilt required!
Make-Ahead Friendly: Prepare the dough the night before and bake fresh in the morning for a warm, homemade breakfast with minimal effort.
Impressive but Simple: These scones look and taste like they came from a fancy bakery, but they’re surprisingly easy to make with basic pantry ingredients.

Ingredients You’ll Need

All-purpose flour: Creates the structure for our scones, giving them that perfect tender crumb.
Granulated sugar: Adds just the right amount of sweetness without overpowering the spices.
Baking powder: The leavening agent that helps our scones rise and become fluffy.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
Spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice): This warm blend gives the scones that distinctive carrot cake flavor profile.
Cold butter: The secret to flaky scones! Cold butter creates pockets of steam during baking, resulting in those delicious layers.
Heavy cream: Adds richness and helps bind everything together for a tender texture.
Carrots: Freshly shredded carrots add moisture, natural sweetness, and that classic carrot cake element.
Walnuts: Provide a wonderful textural contrast with their gentle crunch and nutty flavor.
Powdered sugar: Forms the base of our sweet glaze.
Milk and vanilla: Thins the glaze to the perfect consistency while adding flavor depth.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

These scones are wonderfully adaptable. Here are some delicious ways to make them your own:

Cream Cheese Glaze: Swap the simple glaze for a cream cheese version to really drive home the carrot cake inspiration.
Raisin Addition: Fold in 1/3 cup of golden or regular raisins for classic carrot cake flavor.
Coconut Lover’s Version: Add 1/3 cup of shredded unsweetened coconut to the dough for tropical notes.
Pecan Switch: Replace walnuts with pecans for a slightly sweeter, more buttery nut flavor.
Pumpkin Spice Twist: Use pumpkin pie spice instead of the individual spices for a fall-inspired variation.

How to Make Carrot Cake Scones

Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace

Heat your oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This ensures your scones won’t stick and makes cleanup a breeze.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and spices. Whisk everything together to ensure even distribution of those wonderful spices throughout your scones.

Step 3: Incorporate the Butter

Grate cold butter directly into your dry ingredients, or cut it into small pieces and use a pastry cutter. This method creates flaky layers in your scones that simply melt in your mouth.

Step 4: Add the Wet Ingredients and Mix-ins

Pour in the heavy cream and add your shredded carrots and chopped walnuts. Stir just until the dough comes together—overmixing will make your scones tough rather than tender.

Step 5: Shape and Cut

Turn the dough onto a clean counter and gently form it into a ball. Press it into a 2-inch thick circle, then cut into 8 wedges with a sharp knife.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Transfer your scones to the prepared baking sheet and bake for 13-15 minutes until the tops turn a beautiful golden brown.

Step 7: Prepare the Glaze

While the scones bake, whisk together powdered sugar, cinnamon, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.

Step 8: Finish and Serve

Transfer the baked scones to a cooling rack, drizzle with the cinnamon glaze, and allow them to cool slightly before serving.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Keep Everything Cold: For the flakiest scones, make sure your butter and cream are straight from the refrigerator. You can even chill your mixing bowl beforehand.
Grating Butter: Using a box grater for your butter is a game-changer—it distributes the fat evenly without warming it up too much.
Don’t Overwork the Dough: Handle the dough as little as possible to keep those scones tender. Think of it like biscuit dough—less mixing equals more flakiness.
Proper Spacing: Leave about an inch between scones on the baking sheet to allow for expansion during baking.
Flour Your Knife: If the dough is sticking when you cut it, lightly flour your knife between cuts for clean edges.

How to Serve

These versatile scones can be enjoyed in several ways:

Breakfast Spread

Serve warm with softened butter, honey, or orange marmalade for a delightful morning meal.

Afternoon Tea

Pair with a pot of Earl Grey or spiced chai tea for a proper afternoon treat that feels special but isn’t fussy.

Brunch Star

Include these scones on your next brunch buffet alongside fresh fruit and savory options for a balanced spread that will impress guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store completely cooled scones in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days.

Freezing

These scones freeze beautifully! Freeze unglazed scones in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer bag once solid. They’ll keep for up to 3 months.

Reheating

Warm refrigerated or frozen scones in a 300°F oven for 5-10 minutes until heated through. Add the glaze after reheating for the freshest taste.

Make-Ahead Options

Prepare the dough the night before, shape into a disk, wrap in plastic, refrigerate, and bake fresh in the morning. You can also freeze the raw, cut dough and bake directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.

FAQs

Can I use pre-shredded carrots from the store?

Fresh is best for these scones. Pre-shredded carrots tend to be dry and thick, which affects both moisture and texture. Taking the extra minute to grate your own carrots makes a noticeable difference in the final product.
Why did my scones spread too much while baking?

This usually happens when the butter gets too warm before baking. If your kitchen is hot or you’ve handled the dough extensively, pop the shaped scones in the freezer for 15 minutes before baking to firm up the butter.
Can I make these gluten-free?

Absolutely! Replace the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. The texture may be slightly different, but they’ll still be delicious. Consider adding 1/4 teaspoon of xanthan gum if your blend doesn’t already include it.
How finely should I shred the carrots?

Use the small holes on your grater for finely shredded carrots. This ensures they blend seamlessly into the dough and cook properly during the short baking time. Larger shreds might remain too crunchy.

Final Thoughts

These Carrot Cake Scones bring together the best of both worlds—the comforting flavor of carrot cake and the quick convenience of homemade scones. They’re perfect for those mornings when you want something a little special without a lot of fuss. The warm spices and sweet carrots will fill your kitchen with an irresistible aroma that makes waking up something to look forward to. Whether for a weekend treat or to brighten a regular Tuesday, these scones are sure to become a new favorite in your baking rotation!