Do you need ideas on what to serve with scones for tea evenings and brunches? I have some nice suggestions for you.
I love scones! Whether it’s a nice day by the fire or a glamorous high tea with guests, these delicious pastries are excellent for tea time.
But aside from clotted cream and jam, have you ever thought about what to offer with scones to enhance your tea time? Worry not!
I’ll give you some tasty ideas to enhance your scones. Let’s try them all!
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What to serve with scones for breakfast?
Scones are delicious anytime, especially for breakfast! These flaky, buttery pastries are great for many toppings and spreads. Let’s discover what to put on scones for the best breakfast recipe!
- Butter and jam
Serve scones for breakfast with butter and jam. Spread butter and jam on a fresh scone. The sweet, tangy jam pairs well with the thick, flaky scone. The buttery flavor gives a great contrast to start your day.
- Nutella with banana
Why not top your scone with Nutella and banana slices for a sumptuous treat? Chocolate-hazelnut butter and bananas go well together. Spread Nutella and banana slices on a warm scone. It’s a delicious treat that makes breakfast exceptional.
- Eggs with avocados
Eggs and avocado make a filling, protein-packed meal. Put fried, scrambled, or poached eggs on a split scone. Top with sliced avocado and salt and pepper. The scone’s sweetness is balanced by the avocado and eggs.
- Greek yogurt and berries
Greek yogurt and mixed berries make a lighter, protein-rich scone topping. Just top a scone with a dollop of Greek yogurt and a handful of fresh berries like strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries.
The luscious berries, creamy yogurt, and scone texture make a tasty mouthful while Greek yogurt delivers protein for morning energy.
- Lemon curd and berries
Lemon curd and berries make a tangy, delicious scone. Lemon curd, produced from lemons, sugar, eggs, and butter, complements scone tastes. Lemon curd’s acidity and berries’ sweetness make a bright and delightful breakfast.
What to serve with scones for afternoon tea?
Scones are a classic choice for afternoon tea. Paired with the perfect accompaniments, these treats can elevate your tea party to a whole new level.
From clotted cream and fresh fruits to jams and flavored butter, here are some nice ideas on how to serve scones for your afternoon tea.
- Jam and clotted cream
Clotted cream and jam are popular toppings for scones. The crunchy scone, smooth clotted cream, and tangy jam are perfect together!
For a zesty touch, use raspberry, blackcurrant, or lemon curd jam instead of strawberry. It never fails!
If you have a sweet tooth, top your scones with currant jelly for a perfect afternoon snack. You can also check out these currant jelly replacements while in search of your ideal topping.
- Butter and honey
Butter and honey are also good scones toppings. On a freshly made scone, spread unsalted butter and pour golden honey.
The scone’s delicate tastes are enhanced by the honey’s natural sweetness and butter’s richness. They can enhance plain scones and please your taste senses with their simplicity.
- Whipped cream with fresh fruit
Fresh fruits and whipped cream pair well with scones if you like sweets. Top a scone with fresh strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries. Then, generously top the fruits with freshly whipped cream. The scone pairs well with juicy, acidic fruits and light, fluffy whipped cream.
If you’re in the mood for a savory experience, why not try some of these side dishes for scones:
- Herbed butter
For a gourmet twist, try herbed butter. Make herbed butter by blending softened unsalted butter with fresh herbs like thyme, chives, parsley, and basil. Whip until smooth and creamy. Top scones with herbed butter for a unique flavor experience.
If you need a bigger assortment of herbs, why not check out these alternatives to basil leaves? Add them to your herbed butter for a change!
- Sun-dried tomatoes and pesto
Sun-dried tomatoes give a balanced sweetness that pairs well with herby pesto. For an extra kick, add fresh herbs like oregano or thyme.
- Cream cheese with smoked fish
If you’re craving savory, try smoked salmon and cream cheese with your scones. This delightful combination elevates your teatime feast.
I don’t eat fish, so my go-to topping for scones is cream cheese and roasted veggies. Peppers, onions, and tomatoes are my favorites.
- Bacon and cheddar
For a heartier option, serve scones with crispy bacon and strong cheddar cheese. Crumble crispy bacon over a warm scone. Top it with a piece of sharp cheddar cheese and let it melt. The sweet scone is balanced by the smoky, salty bacon and acidic, melty cheese.
Bacon isn’t my thing so I love to top my scones with grilled mushrooms and cheese. It’s a tasty treat that suits my dietary needs!
Cheddar isn’t the only type of cheese you can use. I have an article dedicated to the best cheddar substitutes so you can try something else.
What cream goes with scones?
Scones are delicious on their own, but adding cream makes them even more decadent. These creams will enhance your scone:
- Clotted cream
Clotted cream, often called Devonshire or Cornish cream, is a thick, creamy cream traditionally served on scones. This velvety, slightly sweet treat pairs well with flaky, buttery scones.
For a traditional English cream tea, it’s lavishly spread over scones before jam or preserves. Clotted cream can be bought at specialist stores or manufactured by gently boiling heavy cream until a thick layer develops on top.
- Whipped cream
Served with scones, whipping heavy cream with powdered sugar is light and fluffy. Scones’ crumbly texture contrasts nicely with whipped cream’s delicate sweetness and cloud-like smoothness. To flavor whipped cream, add vanilla extract or other flavorings, like strawberry extract or an alternative to strawberry extract.
- Sour cream
Sour cream adds a distinct flavor to scones. Sour cream’s creamy, tart taste pairs well with scones’ sweetness. Its thick, velvety texture makes scones more enjoyable. You can go for standard or light sour cream.
- Vegan cream substitute
There are dairy-free and vegan options for scones that are rich and tasty. Coconut, almond, and cashew cream can replace dairy cream. These plant-based creams can be whipped, sweetened, or flavored to make scones creamy and delicious.
The best cream for scones depends on your taste. Adding a layer of richness to your scone with clotted cream, whipped cream, sour cream, or a vegan equivalent enhances the flavor. Choose your favorite cream to match with scones for a delicious treat.
What drink goes with scones?
Scones can be eaten alone or with a pleasant drink. Some beverages pair nicely with scones:
- Tea
Scones traditionally go with tea. Tea’s soothing tastes go well with scones’ buttery, crumbly texture, whether it’s black, green, or herbal.
For a traditional British scones breakfast or appetizing afternoon snack, serve a pot of tea and add milk or lemon to taste.
- Coffee
If you like coffee, scones go well with a fresh cup. Coffee’s strong taste can balance the scones’ sweetness.
Breakfast or brunch scones work nicely with coffee, whether black, cappuccino, or latte. You can customize it with cream, sugar, or other flavorings.
- Hot chocolate
Serve hot chocolate with scones for a delectable treat. Hot chocolate and scones make a delicious pairing. For added enjoyment, add whipped cream, marshmallows, or cocoa powder to your hot chocolate.
- Fruit juice
Scones with fruit juice are pleasant and tasty. Fresh orange, apple, or other fruit juice can add natural sweetness to the scones. Warm scones go well with cooled or iced juice for a refreshing snack.
Enjoy your portion of scone whether it’s with tea, coffee, hot chocolate, or fruit juice!
Classic scones FAQs
Scones are traditionally served with clotted cream, jam, butter, or lemon curd.
Yes, you can eat scones cold but they’re usually served warm. You can reheat your scones in the oven or microwave for a few minutes.
To keep scones fresh for longer, wrap them in plastic and store them in an airtight container. They will last for up to two days if stored properly.
Spread butter on the scone. You can use salted, unsalted, or lightly flavored butter depending on your preference. Cut the scone into halves or quarters, and spread the butter evenly on each piece.
Scones can be paired with many kinds of jams for a variety of flavors. Strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, and currant are some popular jam choices to go with scones. Some more exotic jams include mango, passion fruit, fig, and apricot.
For a delicious breakfast, enjoy scones as part of your morning meal. Slice the scone into halves or quarters, and spread butter or cream cheese on each piece. Top with jam, honey, lemon curd, syrup, or whatever else you prefer. If desired, add a side of eggs and avocado for a healthy and nutritious breakfast.
Traditional scones can be made with flour, baking powder, and butter. They can also include dried fruits, nuts, and spices. Other types of scones include cheese scones, oat scones, pumpkin scones, white chocolate scones, savory scones, and fruit scones.
BOTTOM LINE: Scone pairings are unlimited! There are many divine scone toppings to choose from, like butter and jam, eggs and avocado, lemon curd and berries, and tasty beverages. Choose your favorite combination for a delicious breakfast or brunch with scones. Happy eating!
I have a lot of fun helping you discover your favorite side dishes for different meals. Check out my earlier articles on what to serve with a hash brown casserole and delicious side dishes for broccoli cheese soup! Or even learn what to serve with egg rolls and what to serve with donuts!