These gluten free scones are drop scones. There's no rolling or cutting involved. They are soft, moist, and a great accompaniment to morning eggs, coffee, tea, or fruit. I also like them with soup or salad.
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Tea Biscuits or Scones?
I love a nice tea biscuit or scone. Either will satisfy a carb craving without being too sweet. So what's the difference between a tea biscuit and a scone? According to my research, scones generally contain eggs while tea biscuits don't. That doesn't always hold true, however. Even Martha Stewart has a scone recipe without eggs. You'll find my recipe for rolled Gluten Free Tea Biscuits here and my Gluten Free Drop Biscuits here.
Scones for Tea
Either tea biscuits or scones would be great for Mother's Day tea, a baby or bridal shower, or even a Victoria Day tea. We Canadians celebrate the queen's birthday each year with a holiday in the month of May. This year, we also have a very special royal wedding to look forward to.
Food Processor Method
I used my food processor to make my scones for the video. In case you don't have one, the recipe instructions below explain how to make them by hand.
Gluten Free Scones
My recipe for Gluten Free Tea Biscuits involves rolling and cutting the dough in the traditional manner. For these scones, I decided to make the process even simpler. The batter is just mixed together and dropped out onto a baking sheet. These Gluten Free Scones with raisins should have a rustic, somewhat ragged appearance. I never like my food to look "overly handled." How about you?
These rustic scones are completely grain-free!
Light, Flakey Scones
The key to light, flaky scones is cold butter (or lard if you're making them dairy-free). Avoid over-mixing the batter, so the butter remains in small beads. As your scones cook and the moisture evaporates, the beads of fat will leave little air pockets. Hence, their flakiness.
Batter is dropped by large scoops and baked until it starts to brown around the edges.
What to serve with Scones:
Recipe
Drop Scones
Ingredients
- 1 cup arrowroot flour
- 1 cup almond flour
- 3 tablespoons coconut flour
- 1 tablespoon organic raw sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ cup cold butter or cold lard for DAIRY FREE
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup dairy free milk
- ¾ cup raisins or currants
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F.
- Grease or line with parchment paper a baking sheet. (This step is optional depending on your baking sheet.)
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk dry ingredients together.
- Cut in butter or lard with a pastry blender until evenly distributed.
- In a smaller mixing bowl, whisk eggs, then whisk in milk.
- Stir egg mixture into the dry ingredients in the larger bowl.
- Stir in raisins or currants.
- Drop by approximately ¼-cup amounts of batter onto prepared baking sheet about ½-inch apart.
- Bake for 15 minutes, or until beginning to brown around the edges.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
You don't need a food processor to make these scones, but it does make the job easier. This is the one I use. It cleans up nicely in the dishwasher.
Meredith says
Everyone in my family just adores scones... my boys call them "breakfast cookies"! Thank you for a recipe that is not loaded with added sugar - I can't wait to try it!
Cathy says
I hope you and your boys enjoy them!
anne says
I've never made scones before, you make it look so easy!
Cathy says
It is easy. You can do it!
Kari - Get Inspired Everyday! says
Drop scones are the best because they're so much easier! I also live the cinnamon raisin combo, sounds delish!
Cathy says
Thank you, Kari!
Katie Walsh Beck says
I am a huge scone fan and I have recently started using arrowroot flour and I am impressed with it's ability to sustain a baked good - it is my favorite gluten free flour at the moment. These look great 🙂
Cathy says
Thanks, Katie. I'm also very pleased to have found a grain free flour with the texture and neutral taste of arrowroot.
Megan Stevens says
I LOVE scones. I pinned these to a few boards because they look SO good!
Cathy says
Thank you so much, Megan!
Lindsey Dietz says
I bet you could sub blueberries or chocolate chips or currants for the raisins and have a yummy variety of scones!
Cathy says
There are all sorts of possibilities!
Monique says
So yummy! I love a good scone and also enjoy "rustic" looking food too 🙂 Love that these are made with such wholesome flour choices.
Cathy says
Thanks, Monique. Have a great day!
linda spiker says
Yum! I would love these with some clotted cream!
Cathy says
Yes! I can't get clotted cream in my town, but if I can persuade my sister to join me early Saturday morning for the wedding, I'll get some whipped cream.
Karen @ Seasonal Cravings says
I have been gluten free for a long time and have never made scones. I think I'm scared I won't get them right. These look like perfection and I can't wait to give them a spin!
Cathy says
I'm sure you'll do fine. Enjoy!
Jean says
These look so delicious! I've never attempted to make scones at home but you are giving me so much inspiration!
Cathy says
Believe me, these are very easy to make!
Tessa Simpson says
like little biscuits!! Yum!! I love fresh scones out of the oven especially!
Cathy says
And they're easy to make!
Raia Todd says
Those look delicious! I haven't had a scone in ages!
Cathy says
Thank you, Raia!
Carol Little R.H. @studiobotanica says
I LOVE scones (and tea biscuits too!) Excited to try this recipe ~ perfect timing and inspired to try these!
I am NOT a baker, though, so a bit nervous. Looking forward to the upcoming Royal nuptials. Have not decided if I will get up at 4am -- may need to record it and get my beauty sleep!
Thanks so much for this recipe. I am going to try it. I have all the ingredients. Wish me luck!
Cathy says
No worries! These scones are fairly foolproof. Enjoy the royal wedding!