Nutrition Breakdown: How many calories are in a Mary Berry scone?

November 8, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the BBC Food recipe, a single plain scone made using Mary Berry's classic method contains approximately 167 kcal. Understanding how many calories are in a Mary Berry scone? is a crucial first step for anyone tracking their intake, especially since the final calorie count can change dramatically depending on size and additional toppings.

Quick Summary

A plain Mary Berry scone contains around 167 kcal, but toppings like jam and cream can add hundreds more. The total nutritional value is heavily influenced by ingredients, portion size, and serving style. This overview breaks down the calories and offers practical tips for creating healthier versions.

Key Points

Base Calorie Count: A plain Mary Berry scone from the BBC recipe contains approximately 167 kcal.
Toppings Add Significant Calories: Adding jam and clotted cream can easily double or triple the calorie count of a scone, potentially pushing a single serving over 900 kcal.
Size is a Major Factor: The most effective way to manage calories in scones is to control portion size, as larger scones have a significantly higher calorie count.
Healthier Swaps are Possible: Reducing fat (e.g., using Greek yogurt), sugar, and incorporating whole-grain flour or fruit can lower calories and boost fiber.
Homemade vs. Store-Bought: Homemade versions offer full control over ingredients and portion size, often resulting in a healthier outcome than store-bought options.
Scones Are a Treat: Due to their fat, sugar, and salt content, scones are best enjoyed as an occasional treat rather than a daily staple, especially when topped traditionally.

The Calorie Count in a Mary Berry Scone

For those following a diet, knowing the nutritional facts of your favorite treats is essential. Mary Berry's classic scone recipe, published on BBC Food, is a popular choice for home bakers. A plain scone, made with the specific ingredients and portion sizes outlined in that recipe, contains 167 kcal. This figure serves as an excellent baseline, but it's important to remember that it represents only the scone itself, without any additions.

The Impact of Toppings

The traditional scone experience is often incomplete without a generous dollop of jam and clotted cream. However, these additions significantly increase the total calorie intake. A single serving of scone with jam and cream can easily add an extra 200-500 kcal, depending on the amount used. A survey of scones from high street bakeries found that adding jam and cream to a large scone could result in a total exceeding 900 calories.

Full Nutritional Breakdown of a Mary Berry Plain Scone

For the BBC Food recipe, the approximate nutritional content per scone is as follows:

Protein: 3.7g
Carbohydrate: 23.6g (of which 3.3g are sugars)
Fat: 6.2g (of which 3.5g are saturates)
Fibre: 1.1g
Salt: 0.42g

This breakdown shows that a plain scone, while relatively high in carbohydrates and fat for its size, is a moderate treat. The real impact on your diet comes from the toppings.

Factors That Change a Scone's Calorie Count

Several variables can influence the final calorie and nutritional content of a scone. When evaluating any recipe, homemade or store-bought, consider the following:

Ingredient Choices

The type of flour, fat, and liquid used in a scone recipe can drastically alter its nutritional profile. Substituting ingredients can make a significant difference. For example:

Flour: Using a blend of whole-wheat and all-purpose flour instead of just white flour increases fiber content and can be more filling.
Fat: Some healthier recipes use less butter, or replace some of it with low-fat dairy like Greek yogurt or fat-free cottage cheese, which provides moisture for a fraction of the calories.
Sugar: Reducing the amount of added sugar or using natural sweetness from fruit puree can lower the overall calorie count.
Liquid: Swapping whole milk for lower-fat milk or buttermilk can reduce fat content.

Scone Size and Portion Control

Perhaps the most important factor in managing the calorie count is portion size. A larger scone, even with the same recipe, will naturally have more calories. The Food Standards Agency has noted that the weight of scones varies widely, with some being much larger and more calorific than others. Offering mini-scones is a great way to control portion sizes and still enjoy the taste.

Homemade vs. Store-Bought

Homemade scones give you complete control over the ingredients, allowing for healthier swaps. Store-bought versions, especially those from high street bakeries, can be much larger and often contain higher levels of sugar, fat, and salt. Always check the nutritional information on packaged scones for the most accurate data.

Healthier Scone Alternatives

If you love scones but are watching your diet, you have options beyond simply reducing your portion size. You can modify the classic recipe or try a completely different approach. Here is a list of ways to make scones healthier:

Use Greek Yogurt: Replace some or all of the butter and milk with Greek yogurt for a moist, protein-rich scone.
Swap Flour: Substitute half of the white flour with whole-wheat flour for added fiber and a nuttier flavor.
Add Fruit or Vegetables: Incorporate fresh or frozen berries, apple puree, grated carrots, or beetroot into the dough for natural sweetness, fiber, and moisture.
Control Toppings: Stick to smaller amounts of low-sugar jam or opt for fresh fruit slices instead of clotted cream.
Make Them Savoury: Create savoury cheese and vegetable scones, using low-fat cheese and a mix of wholemeal flour and vegetables like spinach or onion.
Reduce Sugar: Use a sugar substitute or simply reduce the amount of sugar called for in the recipe.

Comparing Different Scones

To illustrate how recipe choices impact nutrition, here is a comparison table:


Feature	Mary Berry Plain Scone	Average Scone with Jam & Cream	Healthier Greek Yogurt Scone
Calories	~167 kcal	362+ kcal (could exceed 900)	~130 kcal
Protein	3.7g	5.3g	4g
Carbohydrates	23.6g	34.4g	19g
Sugars	3.3g	12.7g+	Varies (often lower)
Total Fat	6.2g	23.5g+	4g
Saturated Fat	3.5g	12.5g+	2g

Note: Nutritional information for the healthier scone is based on an example recipe using Greek yogurt and reduced butter. The values will vary based on the specific recipe used.

Conclusion: Mindful Indulgence

Ultimately, a scone can be part of a balanced diet when enjoyed mindfully. A plain Mary Berry scone is a reasonable treat at 167 calories, but the total intake can escalate rapidly with traditional high-fat and high-sugar toppings. The most significant factors in determining the calorie count are portion size and additions. For those looking to enjoy scones more frequently, making healthier swaps in your own baking provides greater control over nutritional content. Consider using smaller portions, reducing sugar and fat, and experimenting with alternative ingredients like whole-grain flour and Greek yogurt. These simple changes allow you to enjoy a beloved classic while staying on track with your nutritional goals.

For more detailed nutritional information on the original recipe, you can visit the BBC Food website.

Frequently Asked Questions

According to the recipe on BBC Food, a single plain scone made using Mary Berry's method contains 167 kcal.

Adding jam and cream can significantly increase the calorie total. Studies show that a scone with toppings can range from 362 kcal to over 900 kcal, depending on portion size and quantity of toppings.

Yes, portion size is the most important factor. A Food Standards Agency report noted a wide range of scone weights, directly correlating to a large variance in calorie content.

To reduce calories, you can make substitutions like using whole-wheat flour for extra fiber, replacing some butter with Greek yogurt, or using fruit puree for sweetness. Opting for smaller, mini-scones is another simple strategy.

While scones can be high in calories, especially with toppings, many store-bought cakes or luxury bakes contain even more fat and sugar. A plain scone can be a more moderate treat than a large slice of heavily frosted cake, for example.

Yes, you can use smaller amounts of jam, or opt for low-sugar versions. Fresh fruit slices or a light dusting of powdered sugar are healthier alternatives to heavy clotted cream.

Baking scones at home gives you complete control over the ingredients, allowing you to use healthier substitutions and manage portion sizes. Bakery scones, especially from commercial chains, can vary significantly in size and nutritional content.