The Best Chai Scones Recipe without Eggs or Butter

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Picture this—a mere 20 minutes in the oven, and you can witness the magic that transforms traditional scones into an elevated breakfast staple. In this article, we uncover how to craft a scones recipe without eggs, challenging the notion of tradition and proving that sometimes, the most wonderful recipes emerge from the most simple ingredients—or lack thereof. 

In search of more eggless recipe options for breakfast? Check out our yogurt granola cups or our vegan gluten free waffles.

Why You’ll Love this Recipe

You will love this egg free scone recipe because you’ll be able to create perfect scones without the need for eggs or dairy-based butter. This in turn cuts down on cost of ingredients.

The combination of good quality vegan butter and balanced chai spices results in a breakfast treat that caters to diverse tastes, making these buttery scones a delicious choice for all, regardless of dietary preferences or allergies such as those with egg allergies. 

Ingredients You’ll Need

The recommended ingredients for this scones recipe without eggs have been carefully selected to substitute the binding, leavening, and moisture-retaining properties that eggs typically provide. Let’s break down why each ingredient was chosen:

1. All-Purpose Flour: Serves as the base, providing structure and body to the scones.
2. Baking Powder and Baking Soda: These leavening agents help the scones rise, creating light and fluffy scones.
3. Chai Spice and Salt: Chai spice adds a rich, aromatic flavor (perfect for the fall), while salt enhances overall taste and balances sweetness.
4. Unsalted Butter (Vegan): Replaces dairy butter to contribute to the scones’ tenderness and flavor.
5. Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness and moisture to the scones.
6. Unsweetened Applesauce: Acts as an egg substitute, providing moisture, structure, and helping in binding the ingredients together.
7. Vanilla Extract: Enhances the flavor profile, adding depth and richness.
8. Milk Substitute: Takes the place of dairy milk, contributing moisture and helping to bring the dough together. Can use whole milk if preferred.

See recipe card for quantities.

In an eggless scone recipe, the challenge lies in finding alternatives that perform similar functions to eggs. One of the most common egg substitutes in vegan baking is unsweetened applesauce which is used here. It’s a great way to offer moisture and act as a binder. The other ingredients work together to create the best tasting scones. 

Step By Step Instructions

1. Line a baking tray with parchment paper. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, whisk flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and chai spice. Cut cold or frozen butter into cubes and toss into the flour mixture. Use a pastry blender to cut the butter into small pieces. Set aside. Alternatively, you can do this step with a food processor. 
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together milk substitute, applesauce, vanilla extract, and brown sugar. Add these wet ingredients to the bowl of dry ingredients and cold butter. Combine with a spatula. If dough consistency feels too sticky, add a tablespoon of extra flour at a time. We usually end up adding 2 tablespoons. In that same bowl, form dough into a ball.
4. Place ball of dough onto a lightly floured surface and roll out into a disk-like shape with a rolling pin. Roll dough out to a diameter of 7 inches. 
5. Cut scone dough into 8 triangular slices. Place these slices on your prepared baking sheet. Keep slices about an inch or two apart so that they do not stick together when baking. Optional: sprinkle scones with turbinado sugar before placing in the oven. Bake at 400°F for 20 minutes. 
6. Leave scones on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Allow scones to cool on wire rack for a few more minutes.

Optional Chocolate Drizzle

In a small bowl, melt 1/2 teaspoon coconut oil with 1/4 cup chocolate chips. Microwave in 15 second intervals. Stir each time. Drizzle over scones once they have cooled down.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

The following tips and tricks will help ensure that this scones recipe without eggs comes out perfect every time!

1. Cold Ingredients: Keep your vegan butter cold. This helps create a flaky texture in the scones.
2. Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the dough can result in tough scones. Mix until the ingredients are just combined. It’s okay if there are a few lumps.
3. Chill the Dough: After you’ve formed the dough and cut into triangle shapes, chill them on a baking sheet in the refrigerator for about 15-30 minutes. This not only helps with texture but also makes it easier to handle.
4. Leavening Agent: If your baking powder is old or expired, it might not give your scones the lift they need. Make sure your leavening agents are fresh.
5. Flour the Work Surface: When you’re ready to shape the dough, lightly flour the work surface to prevent sticking. Excess flour in the dough can make the scones dry.
6. Use a Sharp Cutter: When cutting out your scones, use a sharp, floured cutter or dough scraper. Press straight down without twisting to get the cleanest edges.
7. Brush with Milk or Egg Wash: Before baking, brush the tops of the scones with milk or an egg wash. This adds a nice golden color to the finished product. This step is completely optional.
8. Experiment with Flavors: Scones are versatile. Experiment with different flavors like fruits, nuts, or spices to find your favorite combination.
9. Serve Fresh: Scones are best enjoyed fresh out of the oven. If you’re making them ahead, you can freeze the unbaked scones and bake them when needed.
10. Scone Shape: Decide whether you prefer triangle scones or rounds. Triangles tend to have a slightly crunchier exterior, while rounds can be more tender.
11. Add-Ins: Customize your scones by adding ingredients like chocolate chips, dried fruit, or nuts. Ensure these additions are evenly distributed in the dough.
12. Preserving the Freshness: When storing leftovers in a container, add in a piece of bread or tortilla. This will help the eggless scones to maintain their moisture for a longer period. 

Recipe Variations

Turn a simple scone recipe into a delicious scone recipe with these creative and different ways to elevate them!

• Blueberry Scone Recipe – make blueberry scones by folding in a handful of fresh blueberries into your scone dough.
• Pumpkin Scones – replace the chai spice with pumpkin pie spice and add 3 tablespoons of pumpkin puree to the wet ingredients. Note that you may need to adjust the baking time for best results. 
• Lemon Scones – to make lemon scones, omit the chai spice and add a bit of lemon zest to the dough of this easy scone recipe. Drizzle a lemon glaze over scones once they’re removed from the oven. To make a lemon glaze: combine lemon juice in a small bowl with a cup of confectioners sugar. Another delicious way to enjoy this variation would be to add a layer of lemon curd in between the flaky center of the scone. 
• Cheese Scones – fold in a serving of shredded to cheese to your dough and omit the chai spice. 
• Round Scones – use a round scone cutter to form round scones if preferred. 
• Plain Scones – for plain scones, simply omit the chai spice and proceed with the making the recipe as stated in the recipe card.
• Sweet Scones – finish your scones with a glaze, a dusting of powdered sugar, or a sprinkle of coarse sugar for an extra touch of sweetness. 

Recipe Substitutions

• Vegan Butter – instead of vegan butter, you can use regular, dairy butter if preferred.
• Milk Substitute – instead of milk substitute like almond milk, you can use whole milk.

Keep in mind that you may need to adjust the baking time when subbing out these ingredients. 

Storage Tips

By following these storage tips, you can keep your flaky scones tasting delicious for an extended period.

• Once scones have cooled to room temperature, place any leftovers in an airtight container. This helps maintain their freshness and prevents them from drying out. 
• When storing leftovers in a container, add in a piece of bread or tortilla. Doing this will help maintain the scones’ moisture for a longer period. 

Common Questions About a Scones Recipe without Eggs

Can You Freeze Scones?

Yes! Scones freeze well. Wrap each scone individually in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer bag. Label with the date for easy tracking.

How Do You Reheat Scones?

When you’re ready to enjoy the leftovers, you can reheat them in an oven for a few minutes. This helps restore their warmth and freshness.

Equipment

• Pastry blender (pastry cutter)
• Large baking sheet
• Rolling pin
• Pastry mat with measurements

Chai Scones Recipe without Eggs

After a mere 20 minutes in the oven, you can enjoy this delightful chai scones recipe without eggs or butter! The warm chai spices in this elevated breakfast staple will have you cozying up with a warn cup of coffee in no time!

Print Recipe PIN RECIPE

Prep Time:20 minutes mins

Cook Time:20 minutes mins

Total Time:40 minutes mins

Servings: 8

Author: Melissa Bravo-Almazan

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp chai spice
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup vegan butter, unsalted
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup milk substitute we used almond milk

Chocolate Drizzle

• 1/2 tsp coconut oil
• 1/4 cup vegan chocolate chips

Instructions

• Line a baking tray with parchment paper. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, whisk flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and chai spice. Cut cold or frozen butter into cubes and toss into the flour mixture. Use a pastry blender to cut the butter into small pieces. Set aside.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together milk substitute, applesauce, vanilla extract, and brown sugar. Add these wet ingredients to the bowl of dry ingredients and cold butter. Combine with a spatula. If dough consistency feels too sticky, add a tablespoon of extra flour at a time. We usually end up adding 2 tablespoons. In that same bowl, form dough into a ball.
• Place ball of dough onto a lightly floured surface and roll out into a disk-like shape with a rolling pin. Roll dough out to a diameter of 7 inches. 
• Cut scone dough into 8 triangular slices. Place these slices on your prepared baking sheet. Keep slices about an inch or two apart so that they do not stick together when baking. Optional: sprinkle scones with turbinado sugar before placing in the oven. Bake at 400°F for 20 minutes. 
• Leave scones on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Allow scones to cool on wire rack for a few more minutes.

Chocolate drizzle

• In a small bowl, melt 1/2 teaspoon coconut oil with 1/4 cup chocolate chips. Microwave in 15 second intervals. Stir each time. Drizzle over scones once they have cooled down.

Notes