"Is There a Difference Between Scones and Biscuits in Canada? All You Need to Know About These Two Treats"
If you love baked goods, no doubt you've had a scone or biscuit. But it can get confusing to distinguish between British biscuits (called cookies or crackers in the U.S.) and American biscuits, which are not unlike English or Scottish scones.
But is there a difference between scones and biscuits in Canada? While they're both delicious and seem similar in some ways, they have some key differences.
Here's what you need to know about Canadian scones and biscuits:
What Is a Scone?
A scone is a cake-like baked good with a mildly sweet taste and crumbly texture. The dough consists of flour, sugar, butter, eggs, baking powder, milk, or cream—typically containing very little liquid or fat.
Just before baking, bakers cut scones into triangles or wedges. You can enjoy a scone at any time of day, but Canadians mostly have them as a mid-morning or afternoon snack with tea or coffee.
What Is a Biscuit?
A biscuit is a quick bread with a soft, flaky interior and firm, dry exterior.
They contain wheat flour, sugar, fats (e.g., butter, lard, or vegetable shortening), buttermilk, and leavening, such as baking powder or baking soda. They are mostly savory, but you can make them sweet. Most notably, American-style biscuits contain no eggs.
To make a biscuit, mix the ingredients and then shape them into disks or rounds before baking in an oven.
Scones vs Biscuits: What’s the Difference?
Is there a difference between scones and biscuits? Yes, plenty!
Biscuits are light, flaky, and typically served with savory dishes like gravy or stew. Scones are denser, crumbly, and slightly sweeter, often enjoyed with cream and jam. They usually contain more butter, sugar, and eggs, giving them a richer texture. In short, while both are baked goods, their ingredients, texture, and traditional uses set them apart—biscuits lean savory, scones lean sweet.
Feature Scones Biscuits
Texture: Crumbly, dense, drier Flaky, airy, moist
Typical Use: Sweet dishes, tea-time treat Savoury meals, breakfast side
Contains Eggs? Yes Usually no
Common Add-ins: Fruit, glaze, jam, clotted cream Cheese, herbs, served with gravy
FAQ
-
No. Tea biscuits and scones are both baked treats, but they're not the same. Regarding tea biscuits vs. scones, the main distinction is the texture. Biscuits are flaky and buttery, while cookies are dense and crunchy.
-
The closest British baked good to a Canadian biscuit is a scone. Both baked goodies use flour, fat, liquid and a leavening agent. In Canada, we call them biscuits because we usually eat them with gravy or jam—or sometimes both!
Conclusion: The Difference between Scones and Biscuits
We hope this guide to the difference between biscuits and scones has been helpful.
If you're looking for a place to get these delicious treats in Toronto, check out Lazy Daisy’s Cafe. We offer our famous bake-at-home buttermilk biscuits plus delicious desserts, savoury treats, and an incredible brunch.
Stop by our café today for delectable breakfasts, brunches, and lunches!