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Homemade Chai Scones with Maple Chai Glaze – A Cozy, Spiced Bakery Treat

Craving something warm, spiced, and perfectly cozy for your morning or afternoon break? These Homemade Chai Scones with Maple Chai Glaze are everything you love about fall and chai tea—wrapped up in a buttery, flaky pastry. Infused with a comforting chai spice blend and lightly sweetened with maple syrup, these scones are a seasonal favorite you’ll want to enjoy all year long. With crisp edges, a tender crumb, and a beautiful drizzle of maple chai glaze on top, they strike the perfect balance between rustic and elegant. Whether served warm from the oven with a mug of tea or as part of a brunch platter, these scones are a bakery-quality delight you can easily make at home — no special tools required (though a food processor and bench scraper can help!).
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Prep Time 15 minutes
bake & Chill Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 8 large scones
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

🥚 Fresh Ingredients:
  • 2 large eggs
🍁 Condiments:
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup
🧂 Dry Ingredients & Spices:
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • 1⅔ tbsp chai spice blend
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ tsp kosher salt in the dough
  • 1 pinch kosher salt for the glaze
  • 1 heaping cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
🧈 Dairy:
  • 12 tbsp unsalted butter cold and cubed
  • 11/16 cup just under ¾ cup heavy cream (plus extra for brushing tops)
  • Tip: If measuring 11/16 cup is tricky use ½ cup + 3 tbsp heavy cream.

Equipment

  • To bake these soft and spiced scones, gather the following kitchen tools:
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Medium mixing bowl
  • Whisk
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Bench scraper (optional but helpful)
  • Food processor (optional)
  • Pastry cutter or fork (if not using a food processor)
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper or silicone baking mat
  • Cooling rack
  • Small bowl for glaze
  • Spoon or piping bag for drizzling

Method
 

  1. Let’s bake these chai-spiced beauties step by step. Warm, flaky, and full of flavor in under an hour!
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
  1. Set your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
  1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, chai spice blend, granulated sugar, and salt.
  2. This dry mixture is the flavor foundation of your scones.
Step 3: Cut in the Butter
  1. If using a food processor: Add the cold cubed butter to the flour mixture and pulse several times until it resembles coarse crumbs.
  2. If working by hand: Use a pastry cutter or fork to blend the butter into the flour until pea-sized bits form.
  3. The cold butter is what gives scones their signature flakiness—don’t overmix!
Step 4: Mix Wet Ingredients
  1. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs and heavy cream until fully blended.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry
  1. Gradually pour the wet mixture into the flour-butter mix.
  2. Stir gently with a spatula until the dough comes together. Avoid overworking—it should look slightly shaggy.
Step 6: Shape the Dough
  1. Turn the dough onto a floured surface.
  2. Gently knead it 2–3 times just to bring it together.
  3. Pat it into a 1-inch thick round disc.
Step 7: Cut the Scones
  1. Use a bench scraper or sharp knife to cut the disc into 8 equal wedges.
  2. Place wedges on the prepared baking sheet, spaced about 1 inch apart.
Step 8: Chill (Optional but Recommended)
  1. For extra flaky scones, chill the shaped dough in the fridge for 15–20 minutes before baking.
Step 9: Bake
  1. Brush the tops lightly with heavy cream for a golden finish.
  2. Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until edges are golden and centers are set.
Step 10: Cool and Glaze
  1. Transfer baked scones to a wire rack to cool.
  2. Meanwhile, prepare the glaze...
Step 11: Make the Maple Chai Glaze
  1. In a small bowl, mix the powdered sugar, maple syrup, vanilla extract, chai spice, and a pinch of salt.
  2. Add 1–2 teaspoons of heavy cream or water until the glaze is pourable but thick.
Step 12: Drizzle and Serve
  1. Once scones are cool, drizzle the glaze generously over each one.
  2. Let set for 5–10 minutes before serving (if you can wait that long!).

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating
Storage:
Room Temperature: Keep scones in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Refrigerator: Store up to 5 days in the fridge.
Freezing:
Freeze unbaked wedges or baked scones for up to 2 months.
Wrap tightly and store in freezer bags.
Reheating:
Warm baked scones in a 300°F oven for 8–10 minutes or microwave for 15–20 seconds.
Glaze after reheating, or reheat gently even with glaze.
🥄 Variations
Make these scones your own with one of these fun and tasty twists:
Vanilla Bean Glaze: Add scraped vanilla bean or more vanilla extract for a floral glaze.
Coconut Chai Scones: Substitute ½ cup of flour with shredded coconut.
Nutty Maple Crunch: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the dough.
Spiced Apple Chai: Fold in ½ cup finely diced apples for a fruity burst.
Chocolate Chip Chai: Stir in ½ cup mini chocolate chips for a decadent twist.
Dairy-Free Option: Use plant-based butter and coconut cream.
Gluten-Free Version: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
Cinnamon Sugar Top: Sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top before baking.
Mini Scones: Cut the disc into 16 smaller wedges and reduce baking time by 5 minutes.
Orange Zest Glaze: Add ½ tsp orange zest to the glaze for citrus contrast.
❓ 10 FAQs
1. What is chai spice made of?
Most blends include cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves, and nutmeg. You can use store-bought or homemade.
2. Can I use milk instead of cream?
Yes, but heavy cream adds extra richness and tenderness.
3. How do I keep my scones from spreading too much?
Chill them before baking and avoid overworking the dough.
4. Can I use salted butter?
You can, but reduce added salt in the recipe by half.
5. What can I substitute for maple syrup in the glaze?
Use honey or agave syrup, though the flavor will be different.
6. Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! Shape and refrigerate overnight, then bake fresh in the morning.
7. How do I know when scones are done?
They’ll be golden brown on the edges and firm in the center.
8. Do these taste like tea?
They taste like the warm spices in chai tea — not tea itself.
9. Can I use flavored creamer instead of cream?
Yes, especially if it's chai or vanilla flavored!
10. Can kids eat these?
Absolutely! They're mildly spiced and contain no caffeine or alcohol.
🏁 Conclusion
If you love chai lattes and warm baked goods, these Homemade Chai Scones with Maple Chai Glaze are about to become your new obsession. The warming spice blend, the buttery flaky texture, and the drizzle of maple-infused glaze create the perfect bite every time.
Whether you’re baking for a cozy weekend breakfast, preparing brunch for guests, or simply treating yourself with a warm scone and a hot drink, this recipe delivers every time. Simple, rustic, and full of flavor — it's everything a scone should be.