History

The Utah scone evolved from the pioneer-era fry bread tradition crossed with European yeasted dough traditions brought by 19th-century Mormon immigrants. By the 1950s, the puffy yeasted Utah scone was a staple of Wasatch-front cafes, ski-resort lodges, and pioneer-day celebrations. Honey butter, made from whipped butter and Utah honey, is the canonical condiment.

Common allergens: Gluten, Dairy

Make it at home

Yield Serves 6Hands-on 30 minTotal 2 hrDifficulty Intermediate

Ingredients

  • 450g all-purpose flour
  • 300ml warm milk
  • 7g active dry yeast
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons softened butter
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • Neutral oil for deep frying
  • 100g salted butter, softened (for honey butter)
  • 60ml Utah wildflower honey

Method

  1. Dissolve yeast and sugar in warm milk in a large bowl. Let stand 5 minutes until foamy.
  2. Add flour, salt, softened butter and beaten egg. Mix to a soft dough.
  3. Knead 8 minutes by hand until smooth and elastic. Place in oiled bowl, cover and let rise 90 minutes until doubled.
  4. Punch down the dough and roll out to 1cm thickness. Cut into 10cm squares or ovals.
  5. Heat oil to 180C (350F). Fry scones 60 to 90 seconds per side until puffy and golden brown.
  6. Drain on paper towels. Whip salted butter with honey to make honey butter.
  7. Serve scones hot with a generous dollop of honey butter and a side of jam.

Tip from the editors. The dough should be soft and slightly tacky; resist adding extra flour. Fry one test scone first to check oil temperature; too cold makes them greasy, too hot leaves them raw inside.

This is the TableJourney editorial recipe, modelled on the canonical bistro / counter version. The first place to try the dish in its city of origin is below.

Where to eat utah scone

Utah scone in Salt Lake City

Penny Ann's Cafe ★ 4.5

Classic American diner$12-18central-cityDaily 7:00-14:30Walk-in

Penny Ann's Cafe on South Main, the original location of the family diner, runs Heavenly Hot Cakes and from-scratch comfort food breakfast and lunch seven.

Order: Heavenly Hot Cakes and a side of bacon with eggs.

1810 S Main St, Salt Lake City, UT 84115

The Park Cafe ★ 4.5

Classic American diner breakfast$12-20liberty-parkDaily 7:00-15:00Walk-in

The Park Cafe on East 1300 South next to Liberty Park, the Liberty Wells classic diner since 1982, runs huge American breakfast portions in a chalkboard room.

Order: French toast with crispy hashbrowns and bacon.

604 E 1300 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84105

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