The best vegan scones

Fluffy, crispy around the edges and melt-in-the-mouth tender, these vegan scones would quite possibly make the queen happy at high tea. They are even part whole-wheat! Black currants add a sweet touch, and stir in some optional sourdough for even greater texture, flavor --- and health.

If crumbly, delicious scones make you smile at breakfast, or snacktime, I have the perfect recipe for you. They're vegan and part whole wheat, so you can have your scone and eat it too without an iota of guilt.

I make these vegan scones a lot for weekend breakfasts, although they are so easy to make, you could even handle them on a relaxed weekday morning. They take under 30 minutes to go from scratch to done, and the rewards...well, let's just say you will be taking on the day with wide open arms and joy in your heart because such wonderful things exist in our world.

I've been sharing scone recipes on the blog for a while now, and have a few variations, including these amazing vegan cranberry sourdough scones.

This recipe today doesn't require sourdough, and I make it just as often with as I do without. But if you need to discard some of your sourdough starter I strongly recommend using it in this recipe. Sourdough has a way of making food lighter and airier and more golden and definitely more delicious. While the version without sourdough is a winner, the one with sourdough is exquisite.

How is a scone different from a biscuit?

The primary difference is the fact that one -- the biscuit -- is an American creation and is usually savory.

A scone is British, and usually sweet. It's also more a bit drier than an American biscuit, which is flaky and layered.

The British have biscuits too, only they're cookies.

And if all that hasn't confused you enough, the Americans pronounce "scone" so it rhymes with "stone". The British pronounce it "skon" to rhyme with "gone", although there are further variations in pronunciation among the different regions or kingdoms.

But here's what's really important: a scone by any pronunciation tastes amazing. I would also add that is more forgiving to a new baker than a biscuit is, because if you follow basic directions, you can't really screw it up. And that's what you really need to know.

How to make the perfect vegan scones

It's a bit like making pie dough. You want your wet ingredients cold so you leave little pieces of butter suspended throughout it. When the butter hits the heat of the oven, it will melt, giving you those delightful pockets of air.

Start out by mixing together your ingredients--flour (I use a mix of whole wheat pastry flour and all purpose flour, although you can go with all of one kind), baking powder, baking soda, sugar and salt. Cut in the vegan butter with a fork or pastry cutter until you have some pea-sized pieces of butter along with smaller bits dispersed throughout the flour.

Add the currants and mix them in. Other dry fruit like cranberries, blueberries, strawberries etc. would work in here. If you want to make a scone with fresh fruit, check out my Vegan Strawberry Scones recipe.

Add the sourdough, if using, and mix with a fork, then add the nondairy milk, a little at a time, until the dough is moist enough to just hold together. Try to stop before the dough gets too wet--you'll get better at this with practice.

If you're not using sourdough, just begin adding the cold nondairy milk. Mix quickly with a fork until your dough and, once again, stop before the dough gets too wet.

On a floured surface shape the dough into a disc. Use a rolling pin to roll it about a third of an inch thick. You have several options on shaping your scones. I used a round cookie cutter this time that was 2 ¼ths of an inch in diameter to cut out the squares. Sometimes I use a square cookie cutter. The traditional way --- the easiest -- is to just slice the round of dough like a pizza, into eight wedges, using a knife.

Place the scones on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake 14 minutes in a preheated 425-degree oven or until golden on the bottom and lightly golden on top.

How to serve scones

Scones are best served fresh from the oven. Traditionally they are served at a high tea with clotted cream and jam.

Slit the scone across with a knife. We love them with a spot of raspberry jam and vegan whipped cream.

They are also divine by themselves.

Are these scones healthy?

They are made partly with whole wheat, so yes, they absolutely are way healthier than your average scone. There is vegan butter in this recipe, so it does have some fat, of course.

You can replace the vegan butter with coconut oil but make sure that you use coconut oil that's solid and not melted. Cut it in like you would the butter.

Can I make these gluten-free?

Yes. Use gluten-free all purpose flour and add a teaspoon of xanthan gum if the flour doesn't already have it added. Also add a tablespoon of tapioca starch to the flour.

If you want to try these with sourdough discard, I have a gluten-free sourdough starter recipe.

Can I make these ahead?

Scones always taste best fresh out of the oven, when they have the perfect texture. But if you have leftovers, or what to make them ahead, pop them in a preheated 350 degree oven for two to three minutes or until warmed through.

Can I freeze these?

You can freeze these after baking. Cool and place in an airtight container or ziploc bag with all the air removed. Reheat in a 350-degree preheated oven before serving.