Can I make these scones ahead of time?

Absolutely. You can prepare the dough the night before and store it in the fridge, or freeze the unbaked wedges. Bake straight from the fridge or freezer, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time if frozen.

Do I have to use walnuts?

No! Walnuts add classic flavor, but pecans work beautifully too—or leave out the nuts entirely for nut-free scones. Dried fruits like raisins are a fantastic substitute as well.

Can the glaze be skipped?

Certainly. The glaze does add a lovely sweetness and a hint of cinnamon, but the scones are plenty flavorful on their own. You can also dust with a bit of powdered sugar for a simpler finish.

What’s the best way to shred carrots for scones?

Use the fine holes on a box grater to shred peeled carrots. Aim for small, moist shreds. Pre-packaged carrot matchsticks don’t blend into the scone dough as well and may leave the texture off.

Carrot Cake Scones Recipe - LazyDayRecipes

Name: Carrot Cake Scones Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1/3 cup granulated sugar; 1 tablespoon baking powder; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice; 1/2 cup cold butter; 1 cup heavy cream; 1/2 cup finely shredded carrots; 1/2 cup chopped walnuts; 1/2 cup powdered sugar; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 2 tablespoons milk (whole, 2%, or 1%); 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

If you’re craving the comforting flavors of carrot cake but don’t have the time or patience to whip up a whole cake, these Carrot Cake Scones are just what you need. They marry everything we love about carrot cake—warm spices, tender crumb, sweet carrots, and crunchy nuts—with the buttery, crumbly goodness of a scone. In less than 30 minutes, you’ll have a tray of golden scones, topped with a cinnamon-vanilla glaze. Perfect for a quick breakfast, a cozy afternoon treat, or an impressive addition to any brunch. This might just become your new favorite way to enjoy carrots!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Effortless and Quick: From start to finish, these scones come together in around 25 minutes. You don’t even need an electric mixer—just a bowl, a spoon, and ten spare minutes to prep!
All the Carrot Cake Vibes: Want carrot cake but can’t commit to frosting and layers? These scones bring you all that flavor in every single bite.
Perfect Texture: The crumb is tender and buttery, punctuated with little chewy bursts of carrot and crunchy walnuts, all finished off with a sweet-glazed top.
Ideal for Busy Lives: Great for making ahead or grabbing on the go, these scones are a practical treat for hectic mornings or packed lunchboxes.

Ingredients You’ll Need

All-Purpose Flour: The base of the scone, creating a soft interior with just enough structure.
Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness, but not overwhelmingly so—these scones balance dessert and breakfast perfectly.
Baking Powder: The not-so-secret trick to getting that lofty rise and fluffy texture.
Salt: Don’t skip it—it sharpens all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
Ground Cinnamon, Nutmeg & Allspice: This trio is non-negotiable for carrot cake flavor! Warm, aromatic, and essential.
Cold Butter: The key to ultra-flaky layers. Don’t let it soften!
Heavy Cream: Brings richness and a plush crumb; milk can be used in a pinch, but cream is definitely best.
Finely Shredded Carrots: For color, moisture, and a subtle natural sweetness. Shred your own for the best texture.
Chopped Walnuts: Adds nutty crunch and flavor contrast. Pecans work beautifully as well—or omit for nut-free scones.
For the Glaze: Powdered sugar for sweetness, a pinch of cinnamon for warmth, milk to thin, and vanilla extract to round it all out.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Love experimenting? Here are some ways to make these scones your own:

Fruit Twist: Swap walnuts for raisins or chopped dried pineapple for a chunkier, fruitier bite.
Nut-Free: Omit the nuts altogether if needed.
Spice Level Up: Add ginger or cardamom for a different kind of warmth.
Gluten-Free: Use a reliable 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
Extra Indulgence: Stir in a handful of white chocolate chips or top with a thicker cream cheese glaze.

How to Make Carrot Cake Scones

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Tray

Start by preheating your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy clean-up.

Step 2: Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. This is your opportunity to make sure those spices get evenly distributed—take a second to whisk them together.

Step 3: Incorporate Cold Butter

Grate cold butter directly into the dry mix using a cheese grater, or cut the butter into small pieces and blend in with a pastry cutter (even two knives work in a pinch). Stop when the texture resembles coarse meal or damp sand with some pea-sized bits.

Step 4: Add the Moist Ingredients

Add the heavy cream, shredded carrots, and chopped walnuts to your bowl. Stir until the mixture just comes together—avoid overworking for tender scones.

Step 5: Shape and Cut

Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Gather it into a ball, then gently press into a 2-inch thick circle. Slice into 8 even wedges, like cutting a pizza.

Step 6: Bake

Arrange scones on the prepared tray. Bake for 13-15 minutes, until golden on top and fragrant.

Step 7: Glaze and Cool

While scones bake, whisk together powdered sugar, cinnamon, milk, and vanilla extract for the glaze. Drizzle over the scones once they’re out of the oven and have cooled slightly.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Keep Everything Cold: Cold butter equals flaky scones. If you notice your butter warming up, chill the dough for 10 minutes before baking.
Don’t Overmix: As soon as the dough holds together, you’re done. Over-mixing can make scones tough.
Uniform Size: For evenly baked scones, make sure they’re all cut about the same size and thickness.
Fresh Carrots Only: Pre-shredded carrots are too dry and thick. Grate your own for the best-looking and tasting scones.
Glaze on Cool Scones: Wait until the scones aren’t piping hot—otherwise the glaze will melt right off instead of sitting beautifully on top.

How to Serve

These scones are delightful as-is, still slightly warm from the oven. They’re perfect alongside a cup of coffee or tea. For a brunch spread, pair with Greek yogurt, honey, and fresh fruit. You can even serve them as a sweet finish to a savory breakfast—think scrambled eggs or a frittata. If you’re feeling decadent, split a scone and spread with a little softened cream cheese.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Scones are at their prime the day they’re baked, but leftovers keep nicely. Place cooled scones in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days.

Freezing

Want to save some for later? Freeze baked, unglazed scones individually wrapped, then bagged together, for up to two months. Thaw at room temperature. Glaze after thawing for best results.

Reheating

Warm scones in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes, or 15-20 seconds in the microwave. If glazed, reheat gently to keep the glaze mostly intact.

FAQs

Can I make these scones ahead of time?

Absolutely. You can prepare the dough the night before and store it in the fridge, or freeze the unbaked wedges. Bake straight from the fridge or freezer, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time if frozen.
Do I have to use walnuts?

No! Walnuts add classic flavor, but pecans work beautifully too—or leave out the nuts entirely for nut-free scones. Dried fruits like raisins are a fantastic substitute as well.
Can the glaze be skipped?

Certainly. The glaze does add a lovely sweetness and a hint of cinnamon, but the scones are plenty flavorful on their own. You can also dust with a bit of powdered sugar for a simpler finish.
What’s the best way to shred carrots for scones?

Use the fine holes on a box grater to shred peeled carrots. Aim for small, moist shreds. Pre-packaged carrot matchsticks don’t blend into the scone dough as well and may leave the texture off.

Final Thoughts

These Carrot Cake Scones are truly the ultimate treat for anyone craving the flavors of carrot cake in a quick, fuss-free package. They come together easily—even on a busy weeknight—and offer so much comfort and satisfaction in every bite. Don’t hesitate to make them your own, play with add-ins, or simply savor them as is. Give this recipe a try and add a dash of cozy sweetness to your day!