A scone (/skɒn/ SKON or /skoʊn/ SKOHN) is a traditional British baked good, popular in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Scones were chosen as the Republic of Ireland representative for Café Europe during the Austrian presidency of the European Union in 2006, while the United Kingdom chose shortbread.

Pronunciation rhyming with "tone" is strongest in the English Midlands and Republic of Ireland, though it seems to have less prominent patches in Cornwall and Essex.

Other proposed etymologies, such as Middle Dutch schoonbrood (fine white bread), are less commonly supported in linguistic studies.

The Middle Low German term schöne, meaning fine bread, may also have played a role in the origination of this word.

[13] Scones sold commercially are usually round, although some brands are hexagonal, as this shape may be tessellated for space efficiency.

[15] In 2023, a West London woman completed a decade-long project to sample a scone at every National Trust location (244 sites across England, Wales and Northern Ireland).

[citation needed] In some countries one may also encounter savoury varieties of scone that may contain or be topped with combinations of cheese, onion, bacon, etc.

[citation needed] Scones can be presented with various toppings and condiments, typically butter, jam and cream.

Another old style of cooking scones, generally in the colder months, is to deep-fry or deep pan-fry them in dripping or oil; prepared this way, they are called "puftaloons".

[citation needed] In Hungary, a pastry very similar to the British version exists under the name "pogácsa".

[22] Cheese scones are a popular snack sold in cafes or tea shops, where they are commonly served toasted with butter.

Scones are commonly served with clotted cream and jam; grated cheddar cheese is another popular accompaniment.

[citation needed] In Idaho and Utah, the bread products locally called "scones" are similar to Native American frybread or New Orleans beignets and are made from a sweet yeast dough, with buttermilk and baking powder or soda added, and they are fried rather than baked.