Sometimes you just want a scone for breakfast. Yes I want a healthy start to the day, and most of the time I go for smoothies or avocado toast or this Vegan Yogurt Breakfast Bowl or oatmeal topped with berries. But on some days - you know the days - you just need a warm cup of tea and a sweet little treat. Because self-care is healthy. On those particular days, scones are just the perfect breakfast. Or afternoon snack. Or evening treat for that matter.
Because I love scones so much, I have a few variations of scone recipes on this site. The basic scone recipe doesn't change much. That's why these yummy vegan Glazed Banana Walnut Scones are a variation of my Peach Perfection "Buttermilk" Scones, which are a variation of my basic vegan Scottish Scones. I also have recipes for Vegan Ginger Chocolate Chip Scones and Vegan Strawberry Scones (great for strawberry season!). In terms of which is the best scone recipe, I really can't choose. I think it's very personal - it depends on the combination of flavours that you enjoy most. Try them all!
Because I love scones so much, I have a few variations of scone recipes on this site. The basic scone recipe doesn't change much. That's why these yummy vegan Glazed Banana Walnut Scones are a variation of my Peach Perfection "Buttermilk" Scones, which are a variation of my basic vegan Scottish Scones. I also have recipes for Vegan Ginger Chocolate Chip Scones and Vegan Strawberry Scones (great for strawberry season!). In terms of which is the best scone recipe, I really can't choose. I think it's very personal - it depends on the combination of flavours that you enjoy most. Try them all!
In an ideal world, you could pop out to a local shop to quickly buy a warm, fresh vegan scone. But there aren't too many places to get vegan scones near me (I can think of only one), and I'm sure many people experience the same. Fortunately it's easy and fast to make vegan scones at home.
The basic scone recipe is flour, sweetener, baking powder, salt, fat, "milk" (such as almond milk or other non-dairy milk beverage) and other optional additions to create a unique flavour you enjoy. This is how to make vegan scones - stir together the dry ingredients, cut in the fat (in this case vegan margarine), stir in the wet ingredients, stir in add-ons like walnuts or chocolate chips and knead dough just a few times on a floured surface. Flatten the dough to about 1-inch thick and either cut out rounds with a drinking glass dipped in flour or cut the dough into six wedges with a sharp knife. (I find the latter process faster and you don't end up with a little ball of leftover dough.) Easy peasy.
The basic scone recipe is flour, sweetener, baking powder, salt, fat, "milk" (such as almond milk or other non-dairy milk beverage) and other optional additions to create a unique flavour you enjoy. This is how to make vegan scones - stir together the dry ingredients, cut in the fat (in this case vegan margarine), stir in the wet ingredients, stir in add-ons like walnuts or chocolate chips and knead dough just a few times on a floured surface. Flatten the dough to about 1-inch thick and either cut out rounds with a drinking glass dipped in flour or cut the dough into six wedges with a sharp knife. (I find the latter process faster and you don't end up with a little ball of leftover dough.) Easy peasy.
You can make scones with plain flour like all-purpose white (which is what I call for in this simple scones recipe). I also like to switch it up and use light spelt flour sometimes. Either way, you'll get delicious, fluffy homemade vegan scones.
My original inspiration for creating this scone recipe was the pile of spotted bananas on my kitchen counter. Of course I could make The Best Vegan Banana Bread Ever or my favourite Never-Fail Banana Muffins, but I have made both of those recipes so often. I wanted to try something new, and I love the flavour combination of bananas and walnuts.
When my husband came home from work, he found these scones cooling on the counter. "These scones are actually good," he said after tasting one. Naturally I was offended. "Why wouldn't they be good?" I inquired. He figured they weren't great because there were still a few of them left, ie. the kids didn't eat them all. "Ah, yes, that's the walnuts," I explained. I knew the walnuts wouldn't be a big hit with the kids but sometimes you have to please yourself. The kids get plenty of snacks anyway. My daughter did eat one of the scones, picking out the walnuts as she went, and she really liked the walnut-free portion. So, yes, you can leave the walnuts out of this recipe if you don't have them in the house or you just don't like them.
One advantage to these easy banana scones is that they call for ingredients you probably have on hand in your pantry and fridge. For spices, I have used ground ginger and nutmeg. You could use more or less of those depending on your preference. I have indicated unsweetened vanilla almond milk as the milk in these scones but any non-dairy milk should do. I don't find scones particularly finicky.
To add a touch more decadence to these simple scones, I have included in the recipe an optional (very fast) icing sugar (powdered sugar) glaze. Basically you just mix the sugar with a touch of almond milk and drizzle it on the scones as they cool. You can also sprinkle the finished scones with more icing sugar for a touch of pretty.
The banana in these scones adds a nice, gentle sweetness so I haven't added any granulated sugar to the recipe - just a bit of natural maple syrup. Even without the icing glaze, I find these scones sweet enough.
Questions for you
Do you have a place to pop out and buy vegan scones near you? Do you make homemade scones? What is the best vegan scone in your opinion? Do you like walnuts?
Pin it for later:
Glazed Banana Walnut Scones Recipe (Vegan)
Ingredients (6 large scones)
- 2 cups all-purpose, unbleached flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder, slightly rounded
- ¾ tsp salt
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- 5 tbsp vegan margarine
- ½ cup mashed overripe banana (about 1 medium banana)
- ¼ cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk + more if needed
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ cup walnut pieces (plus more for topping if desired)
- Banana slices/coins (optional topping)
- 6 tablespoons powdered (icing) sugar
- 2 ½ tsp almond milk (approx.)
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 450°F.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, stir the dry ingredients (flour through nutmeg) together.
Cut the margarine in with a knife until the mixture is slightly crumbly. (Use your fingers to distribute the margarine more efficiently.)
Stir in mashed banana, almond milk, maple syrup and vanilla. If dough is dry, add more almond milk, a tablespoon at a time, until moistened.
Fold in walnuts.
Turn the dough out on a floured surface and knead a few times until it becomes easy to handle, incorporating more flour if the dough is too sticky.
Pat dough out to 1-inch thickness and cut into rounds using an over-turned drinking glass dipped in flour (about 3 inches in diameter). Or form dough into a 1-inch thick circle and cut into six wedges with a sharp knife. Press walnuts and banana slices in tops (optional).
Place scones on prepared baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until golden on the edges.
Add powdered (icing) sugar to a small bowl or mixing cup with spout.
Add almond milk a half teaspoon at a time, whisking as you go, until glaze is thin enough to pour but not too thin.
Drizzle over scones.
Serve scones warm with vegan margarine or eat them later. Enjoy!
These look so yummy I wish I had one right now with a big cup of tea
ReplyDeleteThe cup of tea is a necessity huh? :)
DeleteI love scones and this is a combo I haven't seen. Sounds delicious. I have already printed the recipe. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteOh great! Let me know if you enjoy them. :)
DeleteJoann, I just made these today. I did use butter. My goodness they are delicious!! Hubby just ate one and said it is better than a donut. I guess he liked them too. Thanks again for sharing.
DeleteWow! Better than a donut? That's high praise! I'm so glad. :)
DeletePosted a pic to my IG (@redlizzy80) and tagged you. As you will see the one I posted Hubby asked for extra Maple Glaze. lol I ate mine plain and just loved them.
ReplyDeleteIt's nice that you both got scones your way. :) Thanks so much for tagging me. I enjoyed seeing your beautiful scones!
DeleteThey look delicious Joann! Your presentation is so appetizing that I want to make some to have with my cup of tea right now!
ReplyDeleteAw, thank you! Fortunately they can be ready rather quickly! ;)
Delete