Drop scones are small, thick pancakes, so named because they are made by dropping spoonfuls of batter on to a hot griddle or frying pan.
I loved drop scones when I was a little girl. Lemon and sugar pancakes, which are more like crêpes, featured on our Pancake Tuesday menu, but on other days we enjoyed these hot delicious treats, spread with golden syrup and melting butter.
Drop scones are also called Scottish pancakes, and in the past were sometimes called pocket pancakes. They were the perfect size for popping into a pocket to stave off the nibbles and munchies.
They actually taste great even when eaten cold, but should only be popped in the pocket if they haven’t been drizzled with syrup.
Originally invented in Scotland these little pancakes have been adopted and adapted by cooks throughout the British Isles.
Apparently Queen Elizabeth made drop scones for President Dwight Eisenhower when he visited Balmoral Castle in 1959. Somehow, I don’t think the Queen rustled up the batter herself and personally dropped and flipped the President’s scones. But you never know.
In the United States the term drop scones conjures up visions of drop biscuits. But trust me there’s no dough kneading involved here. Instead dollops of thick pancake batter are dropped onto a pan.
They are very similar to American pancakes, but drop scones are thicker, and a little smaller.
So why don’t we call them pancakes. Scones take their name from the Stone of Destiny, also called Scone, the coronation site for Scottish Kings in days gone by. So if the Scottish people wish to call these little pancakes “scones”, then I say they have every right to do so. Hey, they invented scones in the first place! 🙂
Ingredients for Drop Scones:
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 3 teaspoons of baking powder
- 2 tablespoons of golden syrup (or 2 tablespoons of white sugar if golden syrup unavailable)
- 1 and 1/2 cups of whole milk
- 2 large eggs
- 2 ounces of butter (for frying pancakes)
- golden syrup, honey or jam to serve
Toss the flour, baking powder and salt into a large bowl and whisk them together to eliminate any lumps in the flour.
Next prepare the wet ingredients by whisking the eggs, milk and golden syrup together in a pitcher.
Golden syrup is very thick and will fall to the bottom of the pitcher. It takes quite a bit of whisking to blend it completely through the milk and egg mixture.
If you cannot find golden syrup, fine white sugar will work instead. I prefer the slightly caramel flavor golden syrup adds to these pancakes, so if you can put your hands on a tin, then I highly recommend using it.
In Louisville, I can buy golden syrup at my local Meijers grocery store.
Add the wet ingredients to the dry and whisk everything together.
This is a great recipe for children. My kiddos love whisking the batter, and searching for lumps.
Whisk the batter well until it is smooth and completely blended.
Next let the batter stand for 15 minutes before cooking.
This is an important step. I believe this little bit of standing time allows the gluten in the flour to start breaking down.
Next heat a non-stick or cast iron skillet over medium heat.
I love how drop scones cook evenly in my cast iron pan. It takes quite a while for it to heat up fully, but the final product is worth the wait.
Melt a knob of butter in the pan before adding the first batch of pancakes.
Drop about 2 tablespoons of batter in circles on the pan.
I use my 1/4 cup measuring spoon, and fill it a little over half way.
These pancakes are about 3 inches in diameter.
They are smaller than regular American pancakes and bigger than silver dollar pancakes.
Cook for two to three minutes until the upper surface starts to bubble.
Flip the pancakes over and cook for an additional two minutes on the second side, until golden.
Re-butter the pan and continue to cook the drop scones in batches until the batter is gone.
I made 22 pancakes in total with this volume of batter.
Place the cooked pancakes on a plate and cover them with a clean dish towel to keep them warm and moist while finishing the cooking.
Drop scones are delicious served with golden syrup.
A knob of soft butter melting on a drop scone is equally mouth wateringly delectable.
Honey adds an extra layer of ooy-gooey sweetness.
And a spoonful of jam spread on top is simply scrumptious.
Let’s face it! As for toppings, there’s no limit.
Whatever you think will work to tantalize your taste buds, then drop scones are the perfect base for building a special treat.
Smoked salmon with cream cheese gives them a savory twist, and strawberries and cream are simply perfection.
Wishing you all days of happy scone dropping.
Here’s the printable recipe.
Drop Scones
Print recipe | Serves | 6 to 8 |
| Prep time | 20 minutes |
| Cook time | 15 minutes |
| Total time | 35 minutes |
| Meal type | Breakfast |
| Region | British |
Ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 tablespoons golden syrup (use white sugar if golden syrup is unavailable)
- 1 and 1/2 cup whole milk
- 2 Large eggs
- 2oz butter (for frying pancakes)
- jam or syrup or honey (to serve)
Directions
| Step 1 | Sift the flour, salt, and baking powder into a bowl. |
| Step 2 | Whisk the eggs, milk and golden syrup together in a pitcher until fully blended. |
| Step 3 | Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and whisk together until smooth. |
| Step 4 | Leave the batter to stand for 15 minutes. |
| Step 5 | Melt a little butter on a frying pan or griddle. Drop two tablespoons of batter in circles on the pan. |
| Step 6 | Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the upper surface starts to bubble. Flip the pancakes over and cook for 1 to 2 minutes more until golden. |
| Step 7 | Re-butter the pan and continue to cook the drop scones in batches until the batter is gone. |
| Step 8 | Serve hot with melting butter, jam, maple syrup or golden syrup. Drop scones are also delicious when served cold. |
Recent Reader Comments