Description
The Brown Butter Caramel Apple Scones recipe is a gourmet twist on the classic British tea time treat. Unlike traditional scones that rely on cold, plain butter for their lift, this version utilizes browned butter—also known in culinary circles as beurre noisette. This process involves cooking the butter until the milk solids toast, resulting in a nutty, intense flavor that permeates the entire dough.
Ingredients
Brown Butter
½ cup (1 stick / 113 g) unsalted butter
Scones
2¾ cups all-purpose flour
â…“ cup brown sugar (light or dark)
1 tbsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
¾ tsp salt
1½ tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp nutmeg (optional)
1 large apple (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith), peeled & finely diced
½ cup heavy cream (plus extra for brushing)
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
Caramel Drizzle
½ cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
Optional Topping
Coarse sugar or flaky sea salt
Instructions
1. Brown the butter
Melt butter over medium heat.
Continue cooking until it foams, smells nutty, and turns golden brown.
Pour into a bowl and chill 20–30 minutes until solid but scoopable.
2. Prepare dry ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
3. Cut in brown butter
Cut chilled brown butter into cubes.
Work into flour mixture using fingers or pastry cutter until pea-sized crumbs form.
4. Mix wet ingredients
Whisk cream, egg, and vanilla.
Gently fold into dough until just combined.
Fold in diced apple.
5. Shape & chill
Turn dough onto floured surface.
Pat into an 8-inch circle, about 1 inch thick.
Cut into 8 wedges.
Chill 15 minutes (helps them rise).
6. Bake
Preheat oven to 400°F / 205°C.
Brush tops with cream and sprinkle with coarse sugar.
Bake 18–22 minutes, until golden.
7. Finish
Cool slightly, then drizzle with warm caramel.
Sprinkle with flaky salt if desired.
Notes
For extra indulgence, drizzle the scones with a simple vanilla glaze or warm caramel sauce just before serving. A sprinkle of flaky sea salt enhances the brown butter flavor, while a handful of toasted pecans or walnuts adds a pleasant crunch and balances the sweetness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Breakfast / Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 scone
- Calories: 420 kcal
Keywords: Toasted butter apple scones, caramel drizzled apple pastries, autumn apple scone recipe, gourmet brown butter scones