Sourdough Apple Butter Scones

Think of the delicious dough on top of an apple cobbler. That’s exactly what these sourdough apple butter scones taste like. They’re full of sweet cinnamon apple flavor with flecks of salted butter. You’ll fall in love with this scone flavor after one bite. 

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Sourdough Apple Butter Scones Recipe Inspiration

I got the inspiration to whip up this recipe when my mom gifted me a jar of apple butter from her time visiting Gatlinburg, TN. I’ve always loved apple butter, so it felt natural to create a scone flavor out of it. If you know me, you know I love inventing unique scone flavors whenever I get the chance!

Ingredients You’ll Need

• all-purpose flour
• cane sugar
• salt
• baking powder
• cold butter (salted)
• sourdough starter fed or discard
• pure vanilla extract
• ground cinnamon 
• a large egg
• apple butter (sweetened)

Tools You Need

• large baking sheet
• unbleached parchment paper
• mixing bowl
• bench scraper (optional)
• cooling rack

How to Make Apple Butter Scones with Sourdough

Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 

Make the scone dough

Add flour, sugar, salt, ground cinnamon, and baking powder into a large mixing bowl.

Stir to combine.Incorporate butter by using a cheese grater (large side) or cutting it into the mixture with a fork until pea-sized pieces form.

Add sourdough starter, vanilla, egg, and apple butter. Mix using a spoon until all flour is incorporated into the dough. Use your hands to completely incorporate the rest of the flour if needed.

Shape the scones

Turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface, knead dough gently for about 5-10 seconds to create a smooth texture.

Shape dough into a 3/4-inch high, 8-inch diameter circle (doesn’t have to be exact).

Slice dough into 8 pieces like a pie, placing them 2 inches apart on parchment paper.

Quick freeze

Freeze for 10 minutes (or up to 3 months if you’re making them ahead)

Bake scones

Sprinkle tops of the scones with additional cinnamon.

Bake for 18 minutes until the bottoms are golden brown (stick a toothpick or knife into a scone, if it comes out clean they’re done).

Storing Leftovers

Room Temperature Storage: Store in an air-tight container for 2 days.

Refrigerator Storage: Store in an airtight container for about 4 days.

Freezer Storage: Store in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months if they’re baked or 1 month unbaked.

Reheating Tips

My favorite way to reheat scones is in the oven at 350 degrees for 5-10 minutes. It creates the best texture. I learned this tip in a cookbook written by a New Orleans pastry chef. It’s a game-changer! If you’re in a rush, you can also heat them in the toaster oven. 

FAQs

More Fall Sourdough Scone Recipes

• Sourdough Cinnamon Brown Sugar Scones
• Sourdough Banana Walnut Scones (with a maple syrup drizzle)
• Sourdough Espresso Chocolate Chip Scones
• Sourdough Pumpkin Scones with Chocolate Chips

If you try this recipe and love it, come back and give it 5 stars! Tag me on Instagram @plumbranchhome

Sourdough Apple Butter Scones

Molly LaFontaine

Think of the delicious dough on top of an apple cobbler. That's exactly what these sourdough apple butter scones taste like. They're full of sweet cinnamon apple flavor with flecks of salted butter. You'll fall in love with this scone flavor after one bite. 

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 18 minutes mins

10 minutes mins

Total Time 38 minutes mins

Course Breakfast

Cuisine Sourdough

Servings 8 scones

Ingredients

  

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup cane sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 6 Tbsp cold stick butter (salted)
• 1/2 cup sourdough starter (fed or discard)
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1 egg
• 3/4 cup apple butter sweetened (NOT applesauce)

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Add flour, sugar, salt, ground cinnamon, and baking powder into a large mixing bowl. Stir to combine.
• Incorporate butter by using a cheese grater (large side) or cutting it into the mixture with a fork until pea-sized pieces form.
• Add sourdough starter, vanilla, egg, and apple butter. Mix using a spoon until all flour is incorporated into the dough. Use your hands to completely incorporate the rest of the flour if needed.
• Turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface, knead dough gently for about 5-10 seconds to create a smooth texture.
• Shape dough into a 3/4-inch high, 8-inch diameter circle (doesn't have to be exact).
• Slice dough into 8 pieces like a pie, placing them 2 inches apart on parchment paper.
• Freeze for 10 minutes (or up to 3 months if you're making them ahead)
• Sprinkle tops of the scones with additional cinnamon.
• Bake for 18 minutes until the bottoms are golden brown (stick a toothpick or knife into a scone, if it comes out clean they're done).

Notes

After step #7 you can refrigerate the unbaked scones for 12-24 hours to long ferment them for added gut health (optional).

Keyword apple butter scones, apple butter scones plum branch home, sourdough apple butter scones