If you’ve been on the lookout for a uniquely cozy treat that’s perfect for weekend brunch or an indulgent afternoon snack, I’m so excited to share this **Glazed Oatmeal Maple Scones with Pecans & Currants Recipe** with you. I absolutely love how these scones balance that hearty oatmeal texture with the subtle sweetness of maple syrup, the crunch from pecans, and those little bursts of chewy currants. Trust me, once you try this recipe, it’ll become one of your go-to scone recipes—warm, comforting, and just sophisticated enough to impress guests without any fuss!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect Texture: The combination of rolled oats and cold butter creates scones that are flaky yet hearty, giving you the best of both worlds.
- Maple Magic: Real maple syrup in the batter and glaze delivers a natural, rich sweetness that’s far superior to plain sugar or artificial flavors.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: You can freeze the dough or the baked scones easily—ideal for busy mornings when you want freshly baked goodies without the wait.
- Crowd-Pleaser: My family goes crazy for these scones, and guests always ask for the recipe — they’re that good!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe is in how the ingredients complement each other: oats add wholesome texture, pecans give a delightful crunch, and currants contribute subtle fruity bursts. Make sure to grab good-quality maple syrup for authentic flavor—it genuinely makes a difference!
- Unbleached All-Purpose Flour: I always reach for unbleached because it feels more natural and gives a better crumb.
- Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats: Choose rolled oats for texture; avoid instant or quick-cooking oats as they get mushy.
- Baking Powder & Baking Soda: These work together to give the scones that perfect rise and lightness.
- Salt: Just a pinch to balance sweetness and deepen flavor.
- Pecan Halves: Toast them for a richer, nuttier flavor before chopping.
- Currants: These little bursts of sweetness almost taste like candy—raisins work if you can’t find currants.
- Cold Unsalted Butter: Key to flaky scones—keep the butter chilly so it doesn’t blend too much into the flour.
- Cold Heavy Cream: Adds moisture and richness, helping form a tender crumb.
- Maple Syrup: Use pure maple syrup, not imitation, for that deep flavor in both the batter and glaze.
- Cold Egg: Helps bind everything together and enriches the dough.
- Confectioners’ Sugar (for glaze): Necessary for a smooth, sweet finish that isn’t grainy.
- Water (for glaze): Used sparingly to thin the glaze to just the right consistency.
Variations
One of my favorite things about the Glazed Oatmeal Maple Scones with Pecans & Currants Recipe is how easy it is to tweak based on what you have on hand or your dietary preferences. Feel free to personalize these scones — I promise they’ll still turn out delicious!
- Nut-Free Variation: I swapped pecans for sunflower seeds once for a nut-free option, and it worked beautifully with a similar crunch.
- Fruit Swap: Currants can be replaced by dried cherries or blueberries for a fun twist; I’ve found dried tart cherries add a nice tanginess.
- Vegan-Friendly: Use coconut oil instead of butter, plant-based cream or full-fat coconut milk for the cream, and flax egg in place of the regular egg—though texture will be a little different but still tasty.
- Extra Flavor Boost: A teaspoon of cinnamon or orange zest stirred into the dough adds a warm aroma that makes these scones irresistible to guests.
How to Make Glazed Oatmeal Maple Scones with Pecans & Currants Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Dry Ingredients
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper — this prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze. Next, combine your flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, salt, chopped pecans, and currants in your mixer bowl. I use my stand mixer with the paddle attachment on low speed for a few seconds — just enough to evenly mix everything without pulverizing the oats or nuts. This sets a nice base and ensures every bite is beautifully balanced.
Step 2: Cut in the Butter
Scatter the cold, cubed butter over your dry ingredients. Beat again on low speed for about 30 seconds. You want the butter to break down so that the mixture looks like coarse crumbs with some visible pea-sized pieces of butter. This is crucial — those little pockets of butter will melt during baking and create light, flaky layers. Resist the urge to overmix here!
Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients and Combine
In a separate bowl, whisk together the cold heavy cream, maple syrup, and cold egg until completely combined. Pour this liquid into your flour and butter mixture, then mix just on low speed for about 20 seconds — or just until the dough starts coming together. The dough will still feel a little wet, which is perfect. Scrape the sides of the bowl to catch any stray flour pockets.
Step 4: Shape and Bake
Using an ice cream scoop or large spoon, drop mounded scoops of dough (about 1/3 cup each) onto your prepared baking sheet. Space them about 2 inches apart since they won’t really spread much. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the edges turn a golden brown and the tops are lightly golden. Cool them on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes—you’ll want them cool before glazing so the glaze doesn’t melt right off.
Step 5: Make and Drizzle the Maple Glaze
While the scones cool, whisk together confectioners’ sugar, maple syrup, and just enough water to make a smooth, pourable glaze. When your scones are cool to the touch, place them back on the parchment-lined baking sheet and drizzle that luscious glaze all over each scone. I like to get a little drippy — don’t be shy! Let the glaze set for a few minutes before digging in.
Pro Tips for Making Glazed Oatmeal Maple Scones with Pecans & Currants Recipe
- Keep Butter Cold: I learned this the hard way—soft butter ruins flakiness. Pop it back in the fridge if it starts to soften before mixing.
- Don’t Overmix Dough: Overworking the dough creates tough scones. Mix just until ingredients come together for tender results.
- Cool Completely Before Glazing: If the scones are too warm, the glaze will slide off. Patience pays off!
- Freezing for Freshness: Freezing the dough before baking keeps scones tasting fresher than freezing them after baking—just bake a couple extra minutes if frozen.
How to Serve Glazed Oatmeal Maple Scones with Pecans & Currants Recipe
Garnishes
When it comes to garnishes, I usually keep it simple because the maple glaze and nuts provide plenty of flavor. But sometimes I sprinkle a few extra chopped pecans or even a tiny dusting of cinnamon on top for a cozy touch. If you want a fresh contrast, a little smear of honey butter on a warm scone is heavenly.
Side Dishes
I love pairing these scones with a refreshing fruit salad or a small bowl of Greek yogurt topped with honey and berries. For brunch, they go wonderfully alongside scrambled eggs or bacon—sweet and savory balance, you know?
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I’ve arranged these scones on a tiered cake stand surrounded by fresh maple leaves and small bowls of pecans and currants. It’s a simple but elegant display that always impresses my friends over coffee. You could also package individual scones in parchment paper tied with twine to make charming brunch gifts.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
These scones keep nicely in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. I like to layer them with parchment paper to keep them from sticking together. After that, they start to dry out, so it’s better to freeze if you want to keep them longer.
Freezing
I freeze the dough scooped into mounds on a baking sheet and then transfer them into a sealed bag once frozen. That way, when I’m ready for fresh scones, I bake them directly from the freezer, adding a few minutes to the baking time. This method keeps them tasting freshly made, which is a total game-changer.
Reheating
Reheating is easy: pop a scone into a 300°F oven for 5–8 minutes to warm through and restore some of that flaky texture. I avoid the microwave since it tends to make scones chewy or soggy. A quick oven refresh feels just like fresh-baked.
FAQs
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Can I use quick oats instead of rolled oats for these scones?
It’s best to stick with old-fashioned rolled oats because they hold their shape and provide a nice texture. Quick oats tend to absorb more moisture and can make the scones too soft or mushy.
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How do I make dairy-free Glazed Oatmeal Maple Scones with Pecans & Currants Recipe?
You can substitute cold coconut oil or a vegan butter substitute for the butter, use a plant-based cream or full-fat coconut milk instead of heavy cream, and swap the egg with a flax egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tbsp water) to make this recipe dairy-free and vegan-friendly.
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Can I prepare and freeze these scones ahead of time?
Absolutely! In fact, freezing the dough before baking yields the freshest scones later on. Scoop the dough into mounds, freeze on a sheet, then store in a sealed bag. Bake straight from frozen with a couple extra minutes in the oven.
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How long do glazed scones stay fresh?
Glazed scones are best eaten within two days at room temperature. Any longer and they start to dry out, so freezing leftovers is your best bet for keeping them fresh.
Final Thoughts
This Glazed Oatmeal Maple Scones with Pecans & Currants Recipe really holds a special place in my recipe box. I remember the first time I made it for a chilly Sunday morning—my kitchen filled with the sweetest maple aroma, and the scones came out tender yet hearty, full of texture and flavor. It’s just the kind of recipe that feels like a warm hug on a plate. I’m confident you’ll enjoy making and sharing these scones as much as I do, whether you’re baking up a quiet morning treat or feeding a crowd. Give them a try, and I’d love to hear how they turn out for you!
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Glazed Oatmeal Maple Scones with Pecans & Currants Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 scones
- Category: Breakfast, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Glazed Oatmeal Maple Scones with Pecans & Currants are a delightful breakfast treat combining hearty oats, crunchy pecans, and sweet currants, all brought together with a rich maple glaze. Perfectly golden and moist, these scones offer a perfect balance of textures and flavors, enhanced by the natural sweetness of maple syrup in both the dough and glaze. Ideal for a cozy brunch or snack, they are freezer-friendly and easy to make in under an hour.
Ingredients
For the Scones
- 1½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1¼ cups old-fashioned rolled oats (not quick cooking or instant)
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup pecan halves, toasted and chopped
- ½ cup currants (or raisins)
- ½ cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into 10 pieces
- ⅓ cup cold heavy cream
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 1 cold egg
For the Glaze
- ½ cup confectioners’ sugar
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 to 2 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Preheat and Preparation: Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, salt, toasted pecans, and currants on low speed for 10 to 15 seconds to evenly distribute all dry ingredients.
- Add Butter: Scatter the cold butter pieces over the dry mixture and beat on low speed for about 30 seconds until the butter breaks down into grape-sized pieces, creating a crumbly texture.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together cold heavy cream, maple syrup, and the cold egg until fully incorporated.
- Form Dough: Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredient mixture and mix on low speed for about 20 seconds, just until the dough comes together. It will be moist and slightly sticky.
- Shape Scones: Remove the bowl from the mixer and scrape down sides with a rubber spatula to incorporate dry ingredients fully. Using a ⅓ cup ice cream scooper, drop mounds of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing 8 scones about 2 inches apart.
- Bake: Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the scones are golden brown around the edges and lightly golden on top. Remove and transfer to a wire rack to cool for about 30 minutes.
- Prepare Glaze: While scones cool, whisk together confectioners’ sugar, maple syrup, and enough water to create a smooth, pourable glaze.
- Glaze and Serve: Once cooled, return scones to the parchment-lined baking sheet and spoon the glaze evenly over the tops. Let the glaze set slightly before serving.
- Freezing Instructions: To freeze dough, scoop mounds onto a baking sheet, freeze until firm, then transfer to a sealable bag, pressing out air. Bake directly from frozen, adding 1 to 2 minutes to baking time. To freeze baked scones, cool completely and store in an airtight container with parchment between layers. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Notes
- Use old-fashioned rolled oats, not quick or instant, for proper texture.
- To toast pecans, spread them on a baking sheet and toast in a 350°F oven for about 8 minutes, stirring once.
- Keep butter and cream cold for a flakier scone texture.
- Scones are best enjoyed fresh but freeze well both before and after baking.
- Adjust glaze consistency by adding water a little at a time to avoid too runny or too thick glaze.
- Spacing scones properly ensures even baking and browning.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 scone
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 45mg