How many calories are usually in a scone?

November 12, 2025 •

3 min read

According to a Food Standards Agency report, the average scone can contain around 408 calories before any additions. However, the exact number can fluctuate dramatically, depending heavily on its size, ingredients, and whether it's served as part of a traditional cream tea, which directly impacts how many calories are usually in a scone.

Quick Summary

The calorie count of a scone is highly variable, influenced by its size, ingredients like sugar and fat, and any additions such as clotted cream and jam. A plain scone contains fewer calories than its fruited or luxurious counterparts, while toppings can add hundreds of calories to the total.

Key Points

Variable Calorie Count: The calorie content of a scone varies widely, typically ranging from around 150 kcal for a small, plain scone to over 400 kcal for a large, richer bakery version.
Toppings Add Significant Calories: Adding traditional toppings like clotted cream and jam can add hundreds of calories, potentially pushing the total for a single scone to over 670 kcal.
Size Matters Most: The size of the scone is a primary factor. Larger, high-street bakery scones are often much higher in calories than smaller, homemade versions.
Plain vs. Enriched: Plain scones have fewer calories than enriched versions containing fruit, chocolate, or other high-fat, high-sugar additions.
Healthier Alternatives Exist: Using ingredients like low-fat buttermilk, applesauce, or whole grains can reduce the overall calorie and fat content of homemade scones.
Mindful Eating is Key: Managing portion sizes and choosing lower-calorie toppings like fresh fruit or light yogurt are effective ways to enjoy scones mindfully.

The Core Calorie Count: Plain vs. Enriched Scones

The fundamental calorie content of a scone stems from its basic ingredients: flour, fat (butter or cream), and sugar. However, the exact recipe and portion size can cause a massive variation. For example, a small, homemade plain scone weighing around 40g might contain approximately 145 calories. This is a stark contrast to some large, bakery-style scones that can weigh 140g or more, easily pushing the calorie count over 400 before any toppings.

Luxury or enriched scones, which often include ingredients like chocolate chips, cheese, or extra sugar, will have a higher caloric density. A report from the Food Standards Agency highlighted this difference, finding that plain scones averaged about 314.6 kcal/100g, while luxury ones were often higher due to richer ingredients.

How Size and Ingredients Impact Calories

Fat Content: The type and amount of fat used is a primary driver of calories. Richer scones using heavy cream and more butter will naturally be higher in calories than those made with lower-fat milk.
Sugar and Sweeteners: Any added sugar contributes to the calorie count. Fruit scones, while containing some natural sugar from the dried fruit, also often have extra added sugar, increasing their energy total.
Additional Mix-ins: Ingredients like chocolate chips, nuts, or cheese will increase the calorie and fat content significantly compared to a basic plain scone.

The Cream Tea Factor: What Toppings Add

The most significant jump in calories comes when a scone is dressed up for a traditional cream tea. Adding generous helpings of clotted cream and jam can increase the calorie count substantially. A large scone with cream and jam can contain over 670 kcal, with some decadent versions exceeding 900 kcal. This illustrates why a seemingly innocent pastry can quickly become a very calorie-dense treat.

Scone Calories Comparison: Homemade, Bakery, and Mix

The source of your scone—whether it's homemade, from a high-street bakery, or made from a commercial mix—can also affect its nutritional profile. Bakery-made scones are often larger and richer, contributing to their higher calorie counts.


Scone Type (approx. per 100g)	Calories (kcal)	Total Fat (g)	Sugar (g)
Homemade (from scratch)	~315	~9.1	~15.4
Plain Store-Bought	~369	~14.6	~10.9
Fruit Store-Bought	~314	~10.9	~17.5
Bakery (Large, Rich)	~400+	~12+	~20+

Healthier Scone Alternatives and Recipe Tips

For those watching their calorie intake, there are several ways to enjoy scones without the high-calorie burden. Opting for healthier ingredients or modifying recipes can make a significant difference. Some potential changes include:

Substituting Ingredients: Use low-fat buttermilk or yogurt instead of heavy cream to reduce fat content. Apple sauce or other fruit purees can replace some of the butter, as seen in some healthy recipes.
Portion Control: Baking smaller scones is an easy way to manage calories. Smaller pastry cutters can create mini-scones that are just as satisfying but far less calorific.
Whole Grains: Using whole-wheat flour or oat flour in your recipe can increase the fiber content and make the scones more filling, potentially reducing the number you eat.
Mindful Toppings: A dollop of light yogurt, a small amount of low-sugar jam, or fresh fruit can be a flavorful, lower-calorie alternative to clotted cream and traditional jam.

How to Enjoy Scones Mindfully

The key to fitting scones into a balanced diet is moderation and awareness. Instead of focusing solely on the total calories, consider the overall nutritional context. For instance, enjoying one small scone with a modest serving of jam is vastly different from having two large, bakery-style scones with generous portions of clotted cream. The enjoyment of food is also part of a healthy lifestyle, so making an informed choice allows you to savor the treat without guilt. Consider making them for a special occasion rather than a daily habit.

For more detailed baking information and recipes, King Arthur Baking provides excellent resources, including insights into the differences between scones and biscuits.

Conclusion: The Final Calorie Takeaway

In summary, the question of how many calories are usually in a scone has no single answer. A basic, small plain scone can be under 200 calories, but a large, enriched bakery version with cream and jam can contain over 700. The calorie count is a function of size, ingredients, and toppings. For those looking to manage their intake, mindful choices regarding portion size and toppings, or exploring healthier recipes, are effective strategies. Being aware of the factors that influence the calorie content empowers you to make smarter decisions while still enjoying this classic baked good.

Frequently Asked Questions

A small, plain scone, approximately 40 grams in weight, usually contains about 145 calories.

Adding generous portions of clotted cream and jam to a scone can add hundreds of calories, often raising the total to well over 600 calories, and sometimes even 900 or more, especially for large scones.

Yes, fruit scones typically have a slightly higher calorie count than plain scones due to the natural sugars in the dried fruit and often additional sugar in the recipe.

Bakery scones often have more calories than homemade versions because they are frequently larger and use richer ingredients to improve their texture and flavor.

For a lower-calorie option, you can top your scone with a modest amount of low-sugar jam, a dollop of Greek yogurt, or fresh fruit.

Yes, substituting ingredients like low-fat buttermilk for heavy cream and using healthier fat substitutes can significantly reduce the calorie and fat content of your homemade scones.

The most accurate way is to check the nutritional information on the packaging of store-bought scones or use an online calorie calculator based on the specific ingredients and portion size if you are baking at home.