Easy Carrot Cake Scones with Cream Cheese Glaze Recipe

I absolutely love this Easy Carrot Cake Scones with Cream Cheese Glaze Recipe because it combines tender, buttery scones with all the warm spices and sweetness you’d expect from a classic carrot cake. When I first tried baking carrot cake scones, I was looking for something easy enough for a weekday breakfast but special enough to feel like a treat—and these hit the mark perfectly.

You’ll find that these scones are wonderfully fragrant with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, and the addition of grated carrots, raisins, coconut, and nuts makes every bite delightfully textured and flavorful. Whether you’re serving it for brunch, bringing a batch to a friend, or just want something a little cozy with your afternoon coffee, this Easy Carrot Cake Scones with Cream Cheese Glaze Recipe is exactly the kind of recipe you’ll keep going back to.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

To make these Easy Carrot Cake Scones with Cream Cheese Glaze Recipe, you’ll want to choose fresh, quality ingredients that complement each other well. The combination of spices, fresh carrots, and mix-ins like raisins and coconut creates a lovely texture and flavor profile.

• All-purpose flour: Provides the structure—make sure it’s fresh for best rise and texture.
• Light brown sugar: Adds gentle sweetness and a hint of molasses; if you like sweeter treats, you can up this a bit.
• Kosher salt: Enhances the flavors—don’t skip this one!
• Baking powder: The leavening agent that helps give you tender, fluffy scones.
• Cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves: These warm spices bring that classic carrot cake vibe.
• Grated carrots: Fresh and juicy, they keep the scones moist and add natural sweetness.
• Raisins: Sweet bites that plump up while baking—golden raisins add a pretty color variation.
• Sweetened shredded coconut: Provides chewy texture and tropical notes.
• Chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts): Adds a satisfying crunch and richness.
• Crystallized ginger (optional): A little zing and warmth—my secret twist!
• Heavy cream: Keeps the scones tender and gives a lovely crumb.
• Large egg: Binds everything together.
• Vanilla extract: Enhances all the other flavors beautifully.
• Unsalted butter, frozen: Cold butter is key for flaky layers—don’t soften it!
• Coarse (turbinado) sugar (optional): For sprinkling on top—adds a crunchy, sweet finish.
• Cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, heavy cream (for glaze): These combine to make the luscious cream cheese glaze that takes these scones to the next level.

Variations

I love how customizable this Easy Carrot Cake Scones with Cream Cheese Glaze Recipe is. You can easily tweak the nuts, swap in dried cranberries instead of raisins, or even add a bit of orange zest for a bright twist. Encouraging you to make these scones truly yours is part of what makes baking so fun!

• Gluten-Free Option: I’ve tried using a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend and it worked well—just make sure it contains xanthan gum for structure.
• Nut-Free: Simply omit the nuts and add extra coconut or seeds instead for crunch.
• Spicy Twist: Add a pinch of ground ginger or cardamom to dial up the spice flavor.
• Vegan-Friendly: Swap heavy cream for coconut cream and use a flax egg instead of a chicken egg. The texture will be a bit different but still delicious!

How to Make Easy Carrot Cake Scones with Cream Cheese Glaze Recipe

Step 1: Mix Dry Ingredients and Coat the Carrots

Start by whisking together the all-purpose flour, light brown sugar, kosher salt, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves in a large bowl. Then, add your grated carrots, raisins, shredded coconut, chopped nuts, and crystallized ginger, tossing everything gently to coat the carrots and mix-ins evenly with the flour mixture. This step is crucial because it helps prevent the grated carrots from clumping together and distributes flavor evenly.

Step 2: Incorporate the Butter

Using a box grater, grate the frozen butter directly into the bowl with your flour and carrot mixture. I’ve learned this trick because smaller pieces of cold butter help create those tender, flaky layers everyone loves in scones. Gently work the butter into the dry ingredients with a spatula or your hands until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs with visible butter bits—don’t overwork it, or you risk melting the butter early.

Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients and Form the Dough

In a separate bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, egg, and vanilla extract. Pour this mixture into your flour and butter bowl, then gently mix just until a shaggy dough forms. You’ll notice bits of butter still visible—this is perfect! The key here is to avoid over-mixing to keep those buttery pockets intact.

Step 4: Shape and Chill the Scones

Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and use floured hands to shape it into a roughly 10-inch disk—this makes cutting uniform scones easier. Use a sharp knife or bench scraper to cut the dough into 8 equal triangle wedges. Arrange the wedges on a parchment-lined baking sheet and place them in the freezer for 15 minutes (or the fridge for 30 minutes). This chilling step helps the scones keep their shape and improves their rise during baking.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Right before baking, brush the tops of your scones with a little extra heavy cream for a beautiful golden color, then sprinkle coarse (turbinado) sugar on top for a subtle crunch. Bake at 350˚F (180˚C) for about 20-25 minutes, until the scones turn a lovely light golden brown. You’ll know they’re done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.

Step 6: Whip Up the Cream Cheese Glaze and Drizzle

While the scones cool, whisk together the softened cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and heavy cream until smooth and pourable. The glaze is optional, but I highly recommend it—it adds a creamy, tangy contrast to the sweet, spiced scones. Drizzle the glaze over the scones once they’re cool, so it sets nicely without melting off.

How to Serve Easy Carrot Cake Scones with Cream Cheese Glaze Recipe

Garnishes

I usually like to keep it simple with these scones—just a drizzle of the cream cheese glaze and maybe a sprinkle of extra chopped nuts or a dash of cinnamon on top for some color. On special mornings, I add a little fresh orange zest or a tiny dollop of whipped cream for flair. These little touches make a big difference when you’re serving them to guests or treating yourself.

Side Dishes

Carrot cake scones pair beautifully with a comforting cup of chai tea, coffee, or even a mild black tea. For a heartier brunch, I love serving them alongside fresh fruit salad or a simple green smoothie. If I’m feeling indulgent, some scrambled eggs or a creamy yogurt bowl on the side contrast wonderfully with the sweet and spicy scones.

Creative Ways to Present

One of my favorite ways to present Easy Carrot Cake Scones with Cream Cheese Glaze Recipe is on a rustic wooden board, with fresh carrot ribbons and edible flowers scattered around for a garden-fresh vibe at brunch parties. I’ve also served them warmed with little ramekins of extra glaze and honey butter for guests to customize. It’s simple to elevate these scones when you add thoughtful presentation!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once your scones are baked and cooled completely, I like to store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where they keep well for up to a week. If you skip the cream cheese glaze, you can leave them at room temperature in a sealed container for 3-4 days without losing freshness. I find that this makes prepping ahead easy and the scones just as delicious when you reheat them.

Freezing

I often freeze leftover scones to enjoy later. After baking and cooling, wrap each scone individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. When you want a treat, just thaw at room temperature or gently reheat from frozen—it really helps reduce waste and keeps breakfast exciting!

Reheating

To warm leftover scones, I recommend reheating in a toaster oven or regular oven at 300°F for 5-10 minutes until just heated through and slightly crisp on the outside. Microwaving works in a pinch but can make the texture a bit soggy. This method refreshes them nicely while maintaining that tender crumb.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Easy Carrot Cake Scones with Cream Cheese Glaze Recipe has become one of those staples I turn to whenever I want a comforting, flavorful baked good without a ton of fuss. Making these scones has taught me patience with chilling the dough and how little details like cold butter and light mixing really transform texture. I’m confident you’ll enjoy making and sharing these as much as my family does—they’re a homey, delicious reminder that simple ingredients and a bit of care can create something truly special. So grab your grater and give it a try—you won’t regret adding this recipe to your rotation!

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