The best way I can describe this cardamom and golden raisin scones recipe is an elegant, sophisticated flavor that will awaken the senses you never knew you had. It will make you fall in love with the delicate fragrance of the cardamom and the light fruity flavor of the golden raisins. It’s a match made in heaven!

Four scones stacked one on top of each other. Yellow cup on the right side. Small glass bowl with golden raisins in it and some scattered around. Glass container, behind the glass bowl, filled with cardamom powder. Measuring spoon in the foreground with cardamom powder.

Why you’ll love this recipe?

When I first made these scones, I fell in love with the flavor. There is something very special about the taste of cardamom. It’s like a delicate flower gently wrapping around your taste buds. The combination with the lightly sweet but fruity golden raisins creates a beautiful harmony and balance.

What I also like about this recipe is that it’s very easy to make, you don’t need a whole lot of ingredients to make it. And, I also included step-by-step images to make it even easier to follow.

Now, before we get started with making this cardamom and golden raisin scones, let’s talk about cardamom.

What is cardamom?

Also known as cardamon, or cardamum, is a spice made from the dry pods of different plants in the Elettaria(1) family. The pods contain a number of seeds, but both the shell and the seeds can be ground and used in savory and sweet cooking.

There are two main types of cardamom, green and black. Green cardamom is more popular in Scandinavian and Middle Eastern countries. Whereas black, as well as green cardamom, are popular in Indian and Asian cousins.

How to use cardamom?

You can use cardamom in many dishes and beverages, from sweet to savory. It has a very distinctive perfume-like fragrance, with sweet and minty notes. Black cardamom has a bit more of a smoky taste to it and is often used in savory dishes.

Ground cardamom is used very often in pastries and can also be added to coffee drinks. In savory dishes is added to rice and curry dishes, or stews.

As you can see, cardamom can be used in a variety of dishes and sweets, and if you haven’t tried it yet, I highly recommend you do.

Three scones at different directions on a dark green surface. Small glass bowl with golden raisins on the right bottom side. Measuring spoon partially showing, filled with cardamom powder.

How to make these delicious cardamom and golden raisin scones

NOTE! Before you start, make sure you have very cold butter. What I like to do is put the butter in the freezer an hour before I start. This way you will have almost frozen butter, which will not only be easier to grade but also will stay cold longer.

Having cold butter is very important for this recipe because if you don’t, the texture of the scones will not be right. And it won’t be a scone anymore. What you are looking for is a crumbly but tender interior, not a soft cake-like texture.

Grated butter on a wooden cutting board. A grater on left side in the background. — Grade the butter.

Glass bowl with flour and grated butter on top. — Grade the butter.

First, you need to combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cardamom in a bowl.
Once you grade the cold butter, add it to the flour mix. Using your hands, work the butter into the flour until it looks like coarse sand. You’ll have some bigger pieces, and that’s ok. This is what will create the crumbly texture.
To this, you will add the whisked egg and cream. Halfway through the mix, add the golden raisins.
Transfer to a flat surface and shape the dough into a round disk about 1.5″ (4cm) thick. Remember, you have to do this pretty quickly so the butter doesn’t start to melt.

Raw scone slices on a parchment paper in a baking tray.

Baked scones on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.

This dough makes eight scones. Once you have the pieces cut out, brush them with extra cream or milk and sprinkle cardamom sugar on top. Transfer them to the freezer for about 20–30 minutes to firm up.

Before baking, make sure you have about 2″ (5cm) space between each scone, as they will expand as they bake.

Scones on a black round wired rack with a pink napkin underneath.

They are ready went they are lightly golden brown on top and at the edges. Let them cool off a bit. Make yourself a cuppa tea or coffee, and take a moment to appreciate the goodness you just created.

You can keep them covered on the counter for up to a week. But who will have them that long anyway?

Six scones laying on a dark green surface with a yellow cup in between filled with coffee. A small glass bowl in the bottom part between the scones filled with golden raisins. Measuring spoon on the left side with cardamom powder in it. And golden raisins scattered around the table.

More recipes to try

Rugelach Cookies – These croissant-shaped cookies are a crowd-pleaser! They are also made with minimal ingredients but do not compromise on taste.

Chocolate Banana Bread – My favorite use of overripened bananas. If you like chocolate and bananas, this is the perfect recipe. It’s moist, tender, and delicious!

Apple Walnut Tartlets – These babies are not only super cute but super tasty too! Made with a flaky buttery crust, walnuts, honey, cinnamon, and apples. I mean, how can you say no to that?

Well, my dear reader, I hope you make this recipe and share it with your family and friends.

Let’s connect!

I would love to connect with you! Let me know if you try this recipe, and please leave a star review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for others to see. This helps people find the recipe.

You can also tag me on Instagram, I would love to see your creations. Pin this recipe to your Pinterest board so you can always find it, and follow me there for more recipes like this.

Happy baking!