Soft Scones Recipe with only 3 simple ingredients

There’s something about scones that just feels like home, isn’t there? Maybe it’s the buttery smell wafting through the house, or the warm tray on the kitchen table waiting to be pulled apart with eager little fingers. In our house, scones are more than just a bake. They’re a pause in the day, a slow moment shared over a hot drink and topped with lots of jam and cream. This is why I just have to share my soft scones recipe with you. 

I started baking scones regularly when my girls were babies. Around that time, we lived near a tea house that used to serve amazing, fluffy scones with high tea. My best friends and I often found ourselves there after pushing our prams around town. How could we resist a fresh scone with flaky center?

It was that time when motherhood got me thinking about more wholesome tasks.

And since I already ate scones all the time anyway, I thought why not start there. Over time, I learned exactly what makes a soft scones recipe really shine. Not dry, not crumbly… just soft, pillowy goodness that almost melts in your mouth. And once you get the hang of it, you’ll be whipping them up between naps or school runs like it’s second nature.

What I love most about this particular soft scones recipe is how unbelievably simple it is. You don’t need eggs, fancy buttermilk, or a cupboard full of ingredients. Not even a rolling pin. Just three things you probably already have in the kitchen: self-raising flour, thickened cream, and lemonade. Yes, lemonade! It adds the sweet lightness and rise that gives these scones their soft texture without the need for extra sugar or butter.

Whether you’re baking these for a playdate, a family brunch, or just because you fancy something soft and sweet with your afternoon tea, this soft scones recipe will become one you keep coming back to. Let’s dive into all the little secrets that make this great recipe create the best scones ever.

How to Make Your Scones Soft

The secret to beautiful scones with this 3-ingredient method is in the texture of the dough. Don’t overmix. Just gently stir until the flour is moistened and the scone dough holds together. The cream provides the richness, and the lemonade brings sweetness and lift.

You don’t need to knead this dough either, just pat it together lightly. And keep the dough thick when cutting out your own scones. About 2.5 – 3 cm (1 inch) is perfect. This gives your delicious scones the room they need to rise beautifully in the oven, creating that soft, fluffy centre every good scone should have.

What to Avoid When Making Scones

Even with just three ingredients, there are still a few little things to avoid if you want the best results. 

Don’t overwork the dough. It’ll make your homemade scones dense and heavy instead of light and tender.

Avoid thin dough. Keep it nice and thick so you get tall, soft scones.

Don’t separate them too much on the baking tray. Placing them close together helps them rise up instead of out, keeping the sides soft and fluffy.

What Are 3 Characteristics of a Good Scone?

Soft and fluffy inside. A good scone should be light and airy, never dry.  

Golden brown on top. A gentle crispness gives it that perfect finish.  

Not too sweet or too savoury. This soft scones recipe is perfectly balanced and goes beautifully with any toppings you love.

What Happens If You Don’t Use Raising Agents in Scones?

Raising agents are what make scones rise and stay soft. That’s where the self-rising flour and lemonade come in. Without them, your scones will be flat and dense, more like thick biscuits than soft, fluffy treats. In this soft scones recipe, the bubbles in the lemonade do all the hard work, giving the dough a beautiful lift without needing extra baking powder.

Ingredients for 3-Ingredient Soft Scones Recipe

Self-Raising Flour. You can make your own flour mixture using all purpose flour if you like. I usually have a pre-mixed bag on hand for this occasion. 

Thickened Cream. This might be called heavy cream or heavy whipping cream where you are. 

Lemonade. 

How to Make This Soft Scones Recipe

Preheat your oven to 200°C (fan forced) (390°F) and line a tray with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, gently stir together the self-raising flour, cream, and lemonade until just combined. The dough will be soft and a little sticky, that’s what we’re after.

Turn it onto a lightly floured surface and gently pat it into a square about 3 cm (1 inch) thick.

Using a sharp knife, cut the dough into 9 equal squares. Dipping your knife into flour before cutting it will help you cut the sticky dough a little easier. Place the scones close together on your prepared baking sheet.

Optional: Brush tops with extra cream or milk for a golden top.

Bake for 12–15 minutes until lightly golden and risen. Allow them to cool for a few minutes on a wire rack. 

Serve your big fluffy scones warm with jam and cream or just a smear of butter for that simple rustic touch.

Store any leftovers in an airtight container or some cling wrap at room temperature.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This soft scones recipe is the ultimate mum-hack because you’ll only need 3 basic ingredients to whip up a delicious afternoon delight. All you need is a few extra minutes and a work surface to bring these fluffy, perfect scones together. They’re so easy to make, your kids can help make them too. Mine love stirring the dough and cutting out squares. It’s messy, fun, and makes afternoon tea feel even more special.

Tips and Tricks for Perfect 3-Ingredient Scones

• Don’t overmix, just enough to bring the dough together.
• Use full-strength lemonade with all the fizz, not sugar-free or flat versions.
• Keep your dough thick and your cuts clean.
• Place scones close together on the tray for the softest sides.
• For a golden top, brush with cream before baking.

Easy Substitutes

No lemonade? Use sparkling apple juice for a sweet variation, or soda water with 1 tbsp sugar (coarse sugar or brown sugar) if you’re stuck.

No thickened cream? Use full-fat Greek yogurt or sour cream for a tangy twist.

Want them savoury? Use soda water instead of lemonade and add grated cheese or herbs to the mix.

I absolutely love this soft scones recipe! It’s so easy and satisfying, it might just become your new weekly bake. Perfect for those slow, cosy afternoons or last-minute guests, it proves you really don’t need a pantry full of ingredients to create something wholesome and lovely.