These tender and buttery Vanilla Bean Scones are perfect for breakfast or a snack with tea. The rich, creamy flavor of real vanilla bean pairs wonderfully with the light sweetness of the glaze. With their crumbly yet soft texture, these scones are easy to make and irresistible to enjoy fresh out of the oven.
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Mix the dry ingredients. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
Cut in the butter. Using a pastry cutter or your fingertips, cut the cold butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Combine the wet ingredients. In a small bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, egg, vanilla bean seeds, and vanilla extract.
Mix the dough. Slowly pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients, gently stirring until just combined. The dough should be slightly sticky but workable.
Form the scones. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and shape it into a 1-inch-thick circle. Cut the dough into 8 wedges and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake the scones for 12-15 minutes, or until they are golden brown around the edges. Let them cool slightly on the baking sheet.
Make the glaze. While the scones cool, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract to make the glaze.
Drizzle and serve. Once the scones have cooled for about 10 minutes, drizzle the glaze over the top. Serve warm or at room temperature.
For extra flakiness, freeze the butter before cutting it into the dry ingredients. Cold butter creates steam while baking, giving the scones a lighter texture. You can add mix-ins like dried cranberries, white chocolate chips, or almonds for added flavor. If you don’t have a vanilla bean, vanilla extract will work, but the flavor won’t be as pronounced.