Irresistible Cinnamon Chip Scones: The Ultimate Starbucks Copycat Recipe with Spiced Orange Glaze

Are you a devoted cinnamon enthusiast? Then prepare to fall head over heels for these incredibly easy cinnamon chip scones! This recipe is a delightful Starbucks copycat, designed to bring the magic of your favorite coffee shop treat right into your kitchen. We’re not just stopping at delicious cinnamon-infused dough; we’re elevating these scones with an extraordinary spiced orange glaze that perfectly complements the warm, sweet notes of cinnamon. Each bite is a symphony of flavor and texture, thanks to the delightful bursts of sweetness from Hershey’s cinnamon chips. And for those moments when cinnamon chips are elusive, we’ve included simple instructions to create equally delicious cinnamon scones without them!

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If you’re as passionate about cinnamon as I am, you’ll love exploring more of my cinnamon-infused delights! Be sure to try my Cinnamon Palmiers for a crispy, sweet treat, my homemade Apple Chips for a healthier snack with a hint of spice, and my indulgent Oatmeal Cookie Ice Cream for a cool, creamy dessert that brings back childhood memories.

Why These Are the Best Cinnamon Chip Scones: A Starbucks-Inspired Delight

For many of us, a trip to a favorite coffee shop isn’t complete without a tender, crumbly scone, especially one dotted with those delightful bursts of cinnamon. This recipe aims to capture that beloved experience and even surpass it. Imagine: a scone that’s not just good, but *exceptionally* good – rich, buttery, and incredibly soft, with that signature crumbly texture that melts in your mouth. This isn’t just any cinnamon scone; it’s our perfected take on the popular Starbucks cinnamon chip scone, designed for maximum flavor and an irresistible finish. The added layer of our unique spiced orange glaze truly takes it to the next level, offering a bright, zesty contrast to the warm spices.

These easy cinnamon chip scones offer everything you crave: a perfectly buttery, soft, and crumbly base, generously studded with those wonderful pockets of sweet cinnamon goodness. But what truly sets *these* scones apart is the luxurious, glistening spiced orange glaze. This handcrafted glaze isn’t just an afterthought; it’s a vital component, drizzled generously over each scone, harmonizing with all the rich flavors and adding an incredible layer of brightness and zest that you won’t find in your typical bakery scone. It’s a treat that elevates your morning coffee or afternoon tea into a truly special occasion. And if you’re a true cinnamon connoisseur, you absolutely must try my Cinnamon Roll Apple Pies!

Making homemade scones might sound intimidating, but I promise you, these are surprisingly straightforward. With a few simple techniques and the right ingredients, you’ll be baking up café-quality pastries in no time. The satisfaction of pulling a tray of warm, fragrant scones from your oven is unparalleled, and the compliments you’ll receive will make it all worth it!

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Crafting Your Own: Easy Cinnamon Chip Scones with Hershey’s Chips

The beauty of this cinnamon chip scone recipe lies in its simplicity. You might imagine that achieving that perfect tender crumb at home requires advanced baking skills, but that couldn’t be further from the truth! One of the key secrets to perfect scones is having cold butter, and in this recipe, we take it a step further by grating frozen butter. This easy trick creates tiny pockets of butter throughout the dough, which melt in the oven to produce those coveted flaky layers that are the hallmark of a truly great scone. If you’ve got a simple cheese grater in your kitchen, you’re already well-equipped to achieve that exquisite texture yourself. These scones are designed to be simple, enjoyable to make, and utterly rewarding, making them an ideal morning treat or a delightful addition to any brunch spread.

Using Hershey’s Cinnamon Chips makes the process even easier, as they distribute beautifully throughout the dough, ensuring every bite is infused with their signature sweet and spicy flavor. They melt just enough to create gooey pockets without disappearing completely, adding both flavor and a pleasant texture. This recipe proves that homemade doesn’t have to mean complicated; it just means more delicious and made with love.

Unlocking the Secrets to Exceptionally Good Scones

Achieving light, flaky, and tender scones is an art, but it’s an art that’s easily mastered with a few key principles. Forget tough, dry scones! Here are my most treasured tips for creating the best easy cinnamon chip scones that will impress everyone:

• Embrace the Chill: The Power of Cold Butter. This is perhaps the most crucial tip. Your butter must be *ice-cold*. For this recipe, we go the extra mile by grating frozen butter directly into the dry ingredients. Why? As the tiny pieces of cold butter melt in the hot oven, they release steam, creating pockets of air that result in an incredibly light, flaky, and tender crumb. Warm butter would simply incorporate into the dough, leading to a denser, more cookie-like texture.
• Reinforce the Chill: Freezer Time is Your Friend. To further ensure our butter stays as cold as possible and our scones rise beautifully, we’ll place the entire baking sheet with the shaped scones into the freezer for 10-15 minutes while the oven preheats. This brief chill firms up the butter and the dough, preventing spreading and promoting maximum lift.
• Handle with Care: Avoid Over-mixing. Scone dough, much like pie crust, thrives on minimal handling. Over-mixing develops gluten, which can lead to tough, chewy scones – the exact opposite of what we want! For this cinnamon chip scones recipe, gently mix until the dough just barely comes together, resembling pea-sized crumbs. It’s okay if there are a few dry spots; a perfectly tender scone is worth a little imperfection in the initial mix.
• The Gentle Fold: Layering for Flakiness. Our unique folding technique (folding the dough in half, flattening, and repeating) helps to create those desirable flaky layers without overworking the dough. This simple process mimics the lamination in puff pastry, contributing significantly to the scones’ rise and delicate texture.
• Accurate Flour Measurement: Weigh It Out! Too much flour is a common culprit for dry, dense scones. Using a food scale to measure flour by weight (256 grams for this recipe) is the most accurate method. If you don’t have a scale, use the spoon-and-level method: gently spoon flour into your measuring cup until it’s overflowing, then level it off with a straight edge. Never scoop directly from the bag, as this compacts the flour and results in too much.

Clever Tricks for a Higher Scone Rise

Beyond the fundamental tips like using cold butter and not over-mixing, there’s another clever trick to encourage your scones to rise even higher and achieve that impressive bakery-style stature. Instead of spacing your scone wedges far apart on the baking sheet, place them a little closer together, just barely touching. As they bake, the scones will support each other, forcing them to expand upwards rather than outwards. This “buddy system” encourages a beautiful, tall rise, resulting in more voluminous and visually appealing scones. You might find you need to add just an additional minute or two to the baking time to ensure they are thoroughly cooked through and golden brown on all sides.

Making Delicious Cinnamon Scones Without Cinnamon Chips

Finding cinnamon chips on store shelves isn’t always easy, and sometimes they’re simply out of stock. But don’t let that stop you from enjoying these incredible cinnamon scones! This recipe is incredibly versatile, allowing you to create equally flavorful cinnamon scones even if you can’t get your hands on the Hershey cinnamon chips. The simple solution involves a slight adjustment to the dry ingredients to boost the cinnamon flavor and moisture balance.

To make these delightful cinnamon scones without cinnamon chips, follow these two easy modifications:

1. Add Ground Cinnamon: Incorporate 2 teaspoons of high-quality ground cinnamon directly into your dry ingredients (flour, sugar, leavening agents). This infuses the entire dough with that warm, aromatic spice.
2. Increase Brown Sugar: Boost the light brown sugar to a full ½ cup. This not only compensates for the sweetness the chips would provide but also adds more moisture, ensuring your scones remain perfectly tender and moist.

Once these adjustments are made, proceed with the rest of the recipe as usual. You’ll still achieve wonderfully fragrant, tender, and deeply satisfying cinnamon scones that are a true treat, proving that a little adaptability can go a long way in the kitchen!

Essential Ingredients for Your Cinnamon Chip Scones

Every great recipe starts with quality ingredients. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need to create the perfect batch of cinnamon chip scones, along with why each component is crucial:

• All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of our scones. Accurate measurement is paramount for the right texture. I strongly recommend weighing your flour with a food scale for precision – you’ll need 256 grams for this recipe. If you don’t have a scale, use the spoon-and-level method to measure two cups, ensuring you don’t pack the flour.
• Light Brown Sugar: Unlike typical granulated sugar, brown sugar introduces a deeper, richer flavor profile that beautifully enhances the warm notes of cinnamon. It also contributes to the scones’ moistness and tenderness, giving the dough a subtle caramel-like undertone.
• Baking Soda and Baking Powder: These dynamic leavening agents are responsible for the glorious lift and tender, airy texture of our scones. Baking powder provides the initial rise, while baking soda reacts with the acidic sour cream to create additional lift and a fine crumb.
• Salted Butter: The colder, the better! Your butter should be frozen solid. I usually pop it in the freezer for at least an hour before I plan to make the dough, or even overnight if I’m prepping for morning baking. Frozen butter, when grated, creates tiny, cold pockets that are key to developing those desirable flaky layers as they melt in the oven.
• Full-Fat Sour Cream: This ingredient is a game-changer! Cold, full-fat sour cream provides essential moisture, richness, and a subtle tang that balances the sweetness. Its acidity also works with the baking soda to promote a lighter, more tender crumb.
• Egg: A single large, room-temperature egg acts as a binder, contributing to the structural integrity of the scones. It also adds richness, helps create a golden crust, and ensures a wonderfully fluffy texture.
• Pure Vanilla Extract: A touch of high-quality vanilla extract is essential. It enhances and rounds out the flavors, providing a delicious aromatic background that complements the cinnamon and brown sugar beautifully.
• Cinnamon Chips: For these cinnamon chip scones, I highly recommend using Hershey’s Cinnamon Chips. These little gems offer concentrated bursts of cinnamon flavor and a delightful texture, easily tossed into the dough just like chocolate chips. As mentioned, if you can’t find them, you can easily substitute by adding 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon to the dry ingredients and increasing the brown sugar to ½ cup for that authentic cinnamon flavor.

These core ingredients form the heart of our perfect cinnamon chip scones. But to truly elevate them and create an unforgettable culinary experience, we’re adding that special something extra: an incredible spiced orange glaze. This glaze isn’t just an optional topping; it’s the crowning glory that harmonizes all the flavors and adds a bright, zesty finish. Here’s what you’ll need for this luscious addition:

• Powdered Sugar: The base for our smooth, pourable glaze. It dissolves easily and provides the fine texture needed for a beautiful, quick-setting icing. Again, precision is key – using a food scale to measure 230 grams of powdered sugar will ensure the perfect consistency.
• Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice: This is where the magic begins! Fresh orange juice provides a vibrant, tangy acidity that cuts through the richness of the scones and brightens all the cinnamon flavors. It’s a game-changer compared to bottled juice.
• Orange Zest: Don’t skip this! The zest from that very same orange packs a powerful aromatic punch, intensifying the citrusy notes in the glaze without adding excess liquid. It’s concentrated orange flavor in a tiny package, making the glaze truly irresistible.
• Nutmeg and Cardamom: A harmonious blend of spices that complements the cinnamon in the scones and the orange in the glaze. Nutmeg offers a warm, slightly sweet earthiness, while cardamom introduces a unique, aromatic, and slightly floral note that pairs classically with orange. Feel free to adjust these to your preference – omit one, substitute with a different spice like allspice, or leave them out entirely for a pure orange glaze.
• Pure Vanilla Extract: Just a half-teaspoon of vanilla balances the sharp citrus notes and adds depth to the overall flavor of the glaze, ensuring it’s not overly tart.
• Pinch of Salt: A tiny pinch of salt in a sweet glaze might seem counterintuitive, but it’s a professional baker’s secret! It doesn’t make the glaze salty; instead, it enhances and intensifies all the other flavors, making them pop and preventing the glaze from tasting flat.

With these high-quality ingredients at your fingertips, you’re ready to embark on a baking adventure that promises truly exceptional results. The combination of tender, spiced scones and a bright, aromatic glaze creates a balanced and incredibly satisfying treat.

Essential Kitchen Tools for Scone Success

One of the best things about making these delightful cinnamon chip scones is that you don’t need any fancy equipment! Forget electric mixers or food processors; simple hand tools are all you require to achieve baking perfection. Here’s a list of the kitchen essentials I recommend for a smooth baking process:

• Mixing Bowls: You’ll need at least two – one for your dry ingredients and another for your wet ingredients.
• Whisk: For thoroughly combining your dry ingredients and later for whisking the glaze to silky smooth perfection.
• Cheese Grater: This is crucial for grating your frozen butter, a key technique for flaky scones.
• Pastry Cutter or Fork: While a pastry cutter is ideal for blending the butter into the flour mixture without warming it, a couple of forks can work just as effectively to achieve those pea-sized crumbs.
• Rubber Spatula: Essential for gently folding your wet ingredients into the dry, ensuring you don’t over-mix the dough.
• Food Scale: Highly recommended for accurately measuring flour and powdered sugar by weight, leading to more consistent and superior baking results.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: For other ingredients where weight measurement isn’t as critical, or as an alternative for flour if a scale isn’t available (remember the spoon-and-level method!).
• Large Baking Sheet: You’ll need one to arrange your scones for baking.
• Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mat: To line your baking sheet, preventing sticking and ensuring even baking and easy cleanup.
• Cooling Rack: Important for allowing your baked scones to cool evenly and for drizzling the glaze without making a sticky mess on your countertop.

Having these tools ready before you begin will make the scone-making process a breeze. You’ll be amazed at the delicious results you can achieve with such basic kitchen equipment!

Expert Tips and Frequently Asked Questions for Scone Perfection

Even with a straightforward recipe, a few common questions and potential pitfalls can arise. Here are some extra tips and answers to frequently asked questions to ensure your cinnamon chip scones turn out perfectly every time:

More Delicious Brunch Recipes You’ll Love

Looking for more delightful recipes to brighten your mornings or enhance your brunch spread? Here are some other fantastic options that are sure to become family favorites:

• Pancake Mix Muffins: All the fluffy goodness of pancakes in a convenient, grab-and-go muffin form.
• Oat Milk Pancakes: Light, airy, and dairy-free pancakes that are perfect for a stack.
• Sweet Potato Pop Tarts: A homemade, wholesome twist on a classic childhood favorite, bursting with sweet potato flavor.
• Mango Overnight Oats: A refreshing and easy breakfast prep option, tropical and satisfying.
• White Chocolate and Raspberry Muffins: A delightful combination of sweet white chocolate and tart raspberries in a tender muffin.

These recipes offer a variety of flavors and styles, ensuring there’s something for everyone at your next brunch gathering. Enjoy exploring new culinary adventures!

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