If you’re craving a breakfast treat that’s both cozy and a little bit fancy, you’ve got to try my Glazed Oatmeal Maple Scones with Pecans & Currants Recipe. This recipe is seriously fan-freaking-tastic—I mean, what’s better than the warm, nutty crunch of pecans, tender currants bursting with flavor, and that irresistible maple glaze? I love how these scones feel both comforting and sophisticated, perfect for weekend mornings or special brunches. Stick around and I’ll walk you through everything to get these beauties just right.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Heartwarming flavors: The combination of maple syrup, pecans, and currants creates a perfect balance of sweet and nutty that your tastebuds will adore.
- Textural delight: Rolled oats add a lovely chewiness while stay tender, making these scones feel hearty without being heavy.
- Glaze that elevates: The maple glaze adds just the right touch of sweetness and shine, making these scones look as good as they taste.
- Freezer-friendly: You can prep or freeze the dough and bake fresh scones anytime you want. That kind of convenience is a lifesaver!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients in this Glazed Oatmeal Maple Scones with Pecans & Currants Recipe come together in a way that’s both approachable and rewarding. You’ll want to look for good-quality maple syrup and fresh pecans for the best flavor results — trust me, they make a noticeable difference!
- Unbleached all-purpose flour: Gives the scones structure without any chemical taste that bleached flour might add.
- Old-fashioned rolled oats: Use rolled oats and not quick or instant — they provide the ideal chew and texture.
- Baking powder & baking soda: These leavening agents help your scones rise beautifully and become tender inside.
- Salt: Just a pinch to balance sweetness and enhance all the flavors.
- Pecan halves: Toasting these adds depth and crunch — don’t skip it if you can help it!
- Currants: They add delightful bursts of tartness; raisins work if you can’t find currants.
- Cold unsalted butter: The key for flaky layers and rich flavor. Keep it cold for the best texture.
- Cold heavy cream: Adds moisture plus tenderness to the dough.
- Maple syrup: This is your flavor star—both in the dough and the glaze. Use real maple syrup, not syrup blends.
- Egg: Helps bind the ingredients and creates a lovely crumb.
- Confectioners’ sugar: For the smooth, sweet glaze topping.
- Water (for glaze): To thin the glaze just enough for drizzling.
Variations
I love that this Glazed Oatmeal Maple Scones with Pecans & Currants Recipe is so versatile — once you have the basics down, swap in your favorite nuts or dried fruits to mix it up. It’s fun to make it your own, and you’ll find little tweaks bring fresh excitement to this classic formula.
- Nut substitutions: I once made these with toasted walnuts instead of pecans, and my family didn’t miss a beat. Pecans offer buttery sweetness, but walnuts or almonds can add a different crunch and flavor profile without losing the charm.
- Dried fruit swaps: Currants are delightful, but I’ve also used dried cherries or cranberries with great results — the slight tartness always bounces nicely against the maple glaze.
- Vegan twist: You can switch the butter for vegan butter and replace the heavy cream and egg with plant-based alternatives like coconut cream and flax egg. I haven’t tested this extensively yet, but it’s on my to-do list!
- Glaze variations: For a bit of zest, try adding a splash of lemon juice or a pinch of cinnamon to the maple glaze — it makes the flavor more complex and festive.
How to Make Glazed Oatmeal Maple Scones with Pecans & Currants Recipe
Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients and Incorporate the Butter
First, preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper — this keeps cleanup easy and prevents sticking. Using a stand mixer with the paddle attachment (or a handheld mixer if that’s what you have), mix the flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, salt, pecans, and currants on low speed for about 10 to 15 seconds. The goal here is to distribute everything evenly without overmixing. Then, sprinkle the cold butter pieces over the top and beat on low for about 30 seconds, just until the butter breaks down a bit but there are still visible lumps the size of grapes. This chunkiness is key for those flaky pockets in the final scone.
Step 2: Add Wet Ingredients and Bring Together the Dough
In a small bowl, whisk together the cold heavy cream, maple syrup, and the egg until smooth and well combined. Pour this wet mixture into your dry mixture and stir on low just long enough for the dough to come together — about 20 seconds. The dough will look fairly wet (a bit shaggy), and that’s perfect! Avoid overmixing here or your scones could get tough. After mixing, scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula to make sure all the oats and flour get incorporated evenly.
Step 3: Scoop and Bake the Scones
Using an ice cream scoop (about ⅓ cup size), drop mounded scoops of dough onto your prepared baking sheet. Make around 8 scones, spaced about 2 inches apart so they have room to puff and brown. Slide the tray into your preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, until the scones have turned golden brown around the edges and lightly golden on top. When you take them out, transfer them to a wire rack and let them cool for about 30 minutes. This cooling step helps the scones firm up just enough to hold their shape when glazed.
Step 4: Make and Drizzle the Maple Glaze
While your scones are cooling, whisk together the confectioners’ sugar, maple syrup, and just enough water to make a smooth, pourable glaze. I usually start with one tablespoon of water and add more if needed. Once your scones have cooled for at least half an hour, place them back on the parchment-lined baking sheet and drizzle the glaze evenly over the tops using a spoon. The glaze adds a beautiful shine and that extra hit of maple sweetness that makes these scones uniquely irresistible.
Pro Tips for Making Glazed Oatmeal Maple Scones with Pecans & Currants Recipe
- Keep everything cold: I learned the hard way that warm butter ruins flaky texture—always keep butter and cream cold right until mixing.
- Don’t overmix the dough: Mix just until combined to keep scones tender; overwork it and they’ll turn dense.
- Toast your pecans: Toasting nuts before adding intensifies their flavor and makes each bite extra delicious.
- Cool completely before glazing: Glazing warm scones can cause the glaze to melt and run off, so be patient—it’s worth the wait!
How to Serve Glazed Oatmeal Maple Scones with Pecans & Currants Recipe
Garnishes
I’m pretty simple when it comes to garnishes here — a light dusting of extra powdered sugar can make the scones look extra special, especially if you’re serving guests. Sometimes I chop a few extra pecans and sprinkle those on top of the glaze right after drizzling for a little extra crunch and a rustic touch.
Side Dishes
These scones are perfect alongside a warm cup of coffee or tea—my family loves them with a dollop of Greek yogurt and fresh berries on the side. If you want to turn it into a bigger brunch spread, serve them with scrambled eggs or a light fruit salad to balance the sweet flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
For a special occasion, I like arranging these scones in a circle on a pretty cake stand, then placing a small vase of fresh flowers in the middle. Drizzle extra glaze in a zigzag pattern or scatter edible flowers for a wow factor. It’s such a crowd-pleaser when folks see these little gems beautifully displayed.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually store leftover scones in an airtight container layered with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They keep well at room temperature for up to two days, but honestly, they rarely last long in my house! If you keep them in the fridge, bring them back to room temp before serving for best texture.
Freezing
Freezing is a game changer for this recipe. I scoop the dough onto a baking sheet and freeze the raw scone mounds for a couple of hours, then transfer them to a freezer bag. When I want fresh scones, I pop them directly onto a baking sheet from frozen and add a couple of extra minutes to baking time. You can also freeze baked scones wrapped tightly; just thaw and reheat gently.
Reheating
Warm leftovers in a 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes or in the toaster oven—it refreshes the scones without drying them out. I don’t recommend microwaving, as it can make the texture gummy, but it works in a pinch if you’re impatient like me!
FAQs
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Can I substitute currants with another dried fruit in this recipe?
Absolutely! Currants can be swapped with raisins, dried cranberries, or dried cherries. Just keep in mind that different fruits will slightly alter the flavor profile — I especially love how dried cherries add a fresh tartness.
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How important is it to keep the butter cold?
Keeping butter cold is crucial for flaky scones. When cold butter melts during baking, it creates pockets of steam that give you that tender, flaky texture. If the butter gets warm mixing the dough, your scones can turn out dense and less airy.
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Can I make these scones gluten-free?
You can experiment by using a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend, but you may need to adjust the liquid slightly since gluten-free flours behave differently. I recommend adding xanthan gum if your blend doesn’t already have it, to help with structure. I haven’t perfected a gluten-free version yet but it’s on my list!
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What’s the best way to store leftover scones?
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days or freeze for longer storage. Using parchment paper between layers prevents sticking, and reheating gently in the oven helps maintain their fresh-baked texture.
Final Thoughts
This Glazed Oatmeal Maple Scones with Pecans & Currants Recipe is one of those recipes that’s become a favorite in my kitchen. It’s comforting yet a little indulgent, easy but impressive. I love how it brings everyone to the table hungry and smiling. If you want to upgrade your breakfast game or just impress your guests without stress, give this recipe a try — I promise you’ll be so glad you did, and you might even find yourself baking them again and again like I do.
PrintGlazed Oatmeal Maple Scones with Pecans & Currants Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 scones
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in these rustic Glazed Oatmeal Maple Scones featuring toasted pecans and sweet currants, baked to golden perfection and finished with a luscious maple syrup glaze. Perfectly tender and packed with wholesome oats, these scones make a sophisticated breakfast treat or afternoon snack.
Ingredients
For the Scones
- 1½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1¼ cups old-fashioned rolled oats (not quick cooking or instant)
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup pecan halves, toasted and chopped
- ½ cup currants (or raisins)
- ½ cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into 10 pieces
- ⅓ cup cold heavy cream
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 1 cold egg
For the Glaze
- ½ cup confectioners’ sugar
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 to 2 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Using a stand mixer with paddle attachment or handheld mixer, combine flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, salt, toasted pecans, and currants on low speed for 10 to 15 seconds to evenly distribute the dry ingredients.
- Incorporate Butter: Scatter cold butter pieces over the dry mixture and beat on low speed for about 30 seconds until the butter is partially broken down but still forms grape-sized chunks, creating a flaky texture.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together cold heavy cream, maple syrup, and egg until smooth and fully combined, preparing the liquid base to bring the dough together.
- Mix Dough: Pour the wet mixture into the butter mixture and mix on low speed for about 20 seconds or until the dough just comes together, keeping it fairly wet but cohesive.
- Scrape Bowl and Portion Dough: Remove bowl from mixer, scrape sides with a rubber spatula to ensure uniform incorporation, then use an ice cream scoop to drop ⅓ cup mounded scoops of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing 2 inches apart to allow for expansion, forming 8 scones.
- Bake Scones: Bake in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until scones are golden brown around the edges and lightly golden on top, signaling doneness and a tender crumb.
- Cool: Transfer scones to a wire rack and cool for about 30 minutes, completely, allowing the texture to set before glazing.
- Prepare Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk confectioners’ sugar, maple syrup, and 1 to 2 tablespoons of water until smooth and pourable, achieving the perfect glossy glaze consistency.
- Glaze Scones: Return cooled scones to the parchment-lined baking sheet and drizzle the glaze evenly over the top with a spoon, adding sweetness and a beautiful finish.
Notes
- The dough can be frozen for up to 3 months: scoop into mounds on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a sealable bag, removing as much air as possible. Bake from frozen, adding 1 to 2 minutes to baking time.
- To freeze after baking: cool scones completely, store airtight with parchment or foil between layers, and bring to room temperature before serving.
- Use old-fashioned rolled oats, not instant or quick oats, for the best texture.
- For best results, freeze dough before baking rather than after.
- Baking with cold butter and cold liquids creates flaky, tender scones.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 scone
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 13g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 55mg