Scone Mix is easy to make at home and to bake. It’s the perfect homemade gift because who doesn’t love a delicious fresh-baked scone?

You know how much I love scones. But really, who doesn’t love a fresh-from-the-oven scone?
With this Cherry Almond Scone Mix you can give your friends the gift of homemade scones with half the work (for them).
How to make shelf stable scone mix:
The Cherry Almond Scone Mix recipe is based on my favorite Raisin Scone recipe, which I’ve been making for over 20 years.
I did have to make a few adjustments to the recipe to make it shelf stable and to make mixing the dough as easy as possible.
- First I replaced the buttermilk in the recipe with buttermilk powder so the person making the scones only need to add water.
- Next I added almond extract to the mix and switched out the raisins for dried cherries. Of course you can customize the flavor of your scone mix with the type of extract and dried fruit added.
- The final change I made to the recipe is the one that pained me the most. I had to switch out my beloved butter for vegetable shortening Nothing is as good as butter but this compromise was necessary to keep the mix shelf stable. If you choose to, you can make the mix with butter instead of shortening. The flavor will be slightly better, but then the mix must be refrigerated until ready to use. I decided it was a compromise worth making and, believe me, the scones still taste great.

The full recipe makes enough baking mix for 2 quart size gift bags, or boxes, or jars, however you decide to package the mix. Each bag will make about 10-12 scones. The mixing instructions are listed in the recipe notes. The instructions are for one quart-size bag of mix.
Mixing Instructions for Scone Mix:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
- Dump the scone mix into a mixing bowl. Whisk 1 egg with 3/4 cup of water. Add to the dry ingredients and mix to combine.
- Dump the dough onto a floured surface and knead a few times until the dough comes together.
- Pat the dough to a 1″ disc. Use a 2.5″ biscuit cutter to cut the scones. Reroll the scraps and continue cutting until all the dough is used.
- Brush the tops of the scones with milk and sprinkle with sugar.
- Bake about 15 minutes until golden brown. Makes about 10-12 scones.
More Scone Recipes
- Classic English Scones
- Corn Scones
- Cranberry Orange Scones
- Cheddar Cheese Scones
- Sourdough Scones
- Gingerbread Scones
- Date & Spice Scones

If you love this recipe as much as I do, I’d really appreciate a 5-star review.
Scone Mix Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 oz granulated sugar (½ cup)
- 1 teaspoon almond extract (see note)
- 25 oz unbleached all purpose flour (5 cups)
- 2 tablespoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 ½ oz buttermilk powder (7 tablespoons)
- 6 oz vegetable shortening
- 6 oz dried cherries (1 cup, chopped, see note)
Instructions
Make the Mix
- Place 4 oz granulated sugar in a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon almond extract over the sugar and whisk to combine, breaking up any lumps that form. Add 25 oz unbleached all purpose flour, 2 tablespoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt, and 3 ½ oz buttermilk powder. Whisk together the dry ingredients until evenly combined.
- Toss in 6 oz vegetable shortening and use your fingers to work it into the dry ingredients evenly. Mix just until the shortening is in bits not bigger than a pea. Don't overmix the shortening you want little lumps in the flour. Toss in the 6 oz dried cherries.
- The mix can be kept at room temperature until ready to use.
To Make Scones
- Preheat the oven to 375 °F. Line two ½ sheet pans with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Whisk 1 egg with 6 oz (¾ cup) room temperature water. Add the water to the dry ingredients and mix to combine.
- Dump the dough onto a floured surface. Knead by hand until the flour is absorbed and the dough forms a ball.
- Pat the dough until it is 1" thick. Use a 2½" biscuit cutter to cut scones. Re-roll the scraps and continue cutting until all the dough is used.
- Line the scones on the baking sheets. Brush the tops with milk and sprinkle with sugar. Bake about 15 minutes until golden brown.
Equipment
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Natheena P Shumaker
Friday 24th of December 2021
How much water do you add? I don't see it in the ingredient list.. Thank you
Eileen Gray
Friday 24th of December 2021
The amount of water is listed in the "mixing instructions" text. You can copy and paste the instructions into a document which you can print and attach to the scone mix package.
Amy
Sunday 4th of December 2016
Homemade food gifts are the sweetest. These scones look wondeful!
Mark, Compass & Fork
Tuesday 29th of November 2016
I love the idea of the scone mix as a gift. I think gifts like this are from the heart. Nice job.
Caroline Williams
Monday 28th of November 2016
How lovely, both the idea and the flavors!
Kimberly @ Berly's Kitchen
Monday 28th of November 2016
Great gift idea! I'd love to get this. :)