Can You Freeze Scones? Tips for Freezing and Thawing

If you’re a fan of scones, you may be wondering if it’s possible to freeze them for later consumption. Can you freeze scones?

The answer is yes, you can freeze scones! Freezing scones is a great way to extend their shelf life and enjoy them at a later time.

However, there are some things to keep in mind when freezing scones. And that’s what this article is all about.

Read on.

Just baked scones
Image used under Creative Commons from Michell Zappa

Can You Freeze Scones?

Why Freeze Scones?

Freezing scones is a great way to extend their shelf life.

If you have leftover scones or you want to make a batch ahead of time, freezing them is a convenient option. Frozen scones can retain great quality for up to 3 months in the freezer, so you can enjoy them anytime you want.

How to Freeze Scones

  1. Let them cool completely.
  2. Wrap them. Placing the scones in a ziplock bag is good enough if you’re freezing them for the short term, like a couple of weeks tops. But if they might spend a month or more in the freezer, you need an extra layer of protection. That’s when you wrap each scone tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil before placing it in a freezer bag or airtight container.
  3. Freeze.

The same basic approach works for freezing hamburger buns or hot dog buns.

Scones of love
Image used under Creative Commons from Pauline Mak

Tips for Freezing Scones

Choosing the Right Container

When freezing scones, it is important to choose the right wrapping to ensure that they stay fresh and do not become freezer burnt.

Aluminum foil or plastic wrap are the best options, as they wrap the scones tightly.

Freezer bags are another great option, especially if you freeze scones individually and squeeze out the air before sealing the bag.

Airtight containers work well only if you first individually wrap each scone and only then place a couple of them in a container to keep things organized.

Labeling and Dating

Labeling and dating frozen scones can be very helpful in keeping track of when they were frozen so that they don’t sit in the freezer for months on end.

Additionally, if you wrap them in aluminum foil, you won’t be able to tell what’s inside unless you add a label or write the name and date using a permanent marker.

Finally, labeling comes in handy if you’re freezing different types of scones, such as filled and unfilled or frosted and unfrosted.

Freezing Scones with Fillings or Toppings

If you plan to freeze scones with fillings or toppings, such as fruit, chocolate chips, or a simple glaze, there are a few things to conder.

First, if the filling or topping doesn’t freeze well, it’s best to freeze the scones plain and add those extra ingredients only after defrosting and reheating.

A good example here would be scones topped with whipped cream. While you can freeze whipped cream, fresh is always better, so it’s best to whip it fresh before serving.

And what if you’ve already topped the scones? Simply remove the topping before freezing and enjoy that unexpected dessert.

Second, if you’re freezing topped scones, pre-freeze them uncovered on a cookie sheet for 1-2 hours until the exterior is nice and frozen. That will prevent the wrap or freezer bag from messing with the topping.

Once pre-frozen, you can wrap them or place them in freezer bags and freeze for the long term.

Scones and tea
Image used under Creative Commons from Jeremy Keith

FAQ

Can You Freeze Scones Before Baking?

Yes, you can freeze scones before baking them. This is a great option if you want to have freshly baked scones in the morning without having to wake up early to prepare the dough.

To freeze scones before baking, simply prepare the dough as you normally would and shape it into scones. Then, place the scones on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat and freeze for 1-2 hours or until they are frozen solid.

Once the scones are frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag or wrap them using plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store them in the freezer for up to three months.

When you are ready to bake the scones, remove them from the freezer and place them on a baking sheet. Preheat your oven to the desired temperature and bake the scones for 5 to 7 minutes longer than your recipe recommends.

Watch them closely towards the end of the baking time so that they end up golden brown and not burned.

Alternatively, you can defrost them overnight in the fridge and bake them as usual.