Sitting on our deck as the early morning sun bathed the Wasatch Back in golden light, we reached for a cake platter overflowing with elegant scones. The display was the culmination of three days spent crisscrossing the Salt Lake Valley, hopping from one bakery to the next in search of the perfect lineup for our first-ever Scone-a-Palooza.
Before we begin, a little history — and a few ground rules.
Somewhere along the way, the word scone took on an entirely different meaning in Utah. Here, it’s just as likely to mean a pillow of deep-fried yeast dough served warm with honey butter, a beloved tradition found at iconic breakfast spots like Sill’s and Penny Ann’s. Those are wonderful in their own right, but they’re not the stars of today’s story.
Scone-a-Palooza celebrates the more traditional British-style scone — a tender, buttery pastry that has become a centerpiece of Utah’s finest bakeries. Some were round, others triangular. Some sweet, others savory. No jam, no honey, no whipped cream. Every bakery would stand on the merits of its scone alone.
The scone dates back to 16th century Scotland, when an oat-based bannock was cooked on cast iron. The name likely stems from the Gaelic word sgonn (shapeless mass) or the Dutch schoonbrot (fine white bread). The simple dough evolved in 19th century England with the introduction of baking powder. Oven-baked scones became an integral part of British afternoon tea.
The Scone-a-Palooza tour took us to small bakeries from Park City to the Salt Lake Valley in search of traditional scones that stood well on their own.
One of our favorite stops for many years has been Tulie Bakery on Salt Lake City’s near East Side. My wife, Carole, frequents Tulie for its rare savory scone — a crusty, triangular pastry filled with smoky bacon and chives. Its firmer crust encourages tiny bites, letting you savor every flavor.
Opening in 2008, Tulie has been a leader in the growth of Salt Lake City’s artisan bakery scene. There is limited seating, but a nice place to savor if you can get a seat. We like Tulie’s to go.
At Fillings & Emulsions on 300 West in Salt Lake City, you can get your fill of the FIFA World Cup with Mexican, Venezuelan, and Peruvian cuisine at its sister restaurants in the mini food truck court. A bit of a wild card player in the Salt Lake bakery scene, Fillings & Emulsions turns out great pastries and delicate sweets.
We went with the lemon cranberry scone, with a bright lemony icing and a scone so soft you can dig right into it. The texture was just delightful, and the zesty lemon will brighten your day.
Navigating streets I had never seen before on the west side of I-15, I found my way to the address of Forty Three Bakery and snuck around the back. Suddenly, I was welcomed into a world of baked goodness in a delightful setting amidst the industrial neighborhood. The bakery showcase was seemingly on stage amidst the large, sparkling-clean cafe.
Being a lover of butterscotch, I went with the butterscotch pecan scone. Pastry chef and owner Andrew Corrao has evolved his bakery through several locations to create this true gem in the city. Of all the bakeries we visited, this was the one with the most inviting space to grab a scone and tea, then just sit and enjoy.
What is the significance of 43? Well, it’s an homage to Salt Lake City’s elevated altitude of 4,300 feet above sea level!
Which brings us back to an even more elevated scenario in Park City. Tucked away in the Silver Creek Business Park is a wonderful bakery and cafe — DeeLicious. Owner-chef Deanna and son Mike have really made a name for themselves, both for their baked goods and cafe menu, since opening in 2017.
As memorable as our earlier stops had been, DeeLicious simply raised the bar. We sampled the double chocolate chip, with chocolatey batter striped in even more chocolate, and with rich chips. It was both elegant and delicious. But what stole the show was the almond scone — a complex array of almonds, vanilla striping and turbinado sugar coating that gave it a sweet crunch with a zing!
Get out this week and brighten your morning with a scone and a cup of tea. You just might discover a new favorite bakery.
DETAILS
Tulie Bakery, Salt Lake City
863 East 700 South
1510 South 1500 East
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, including Sundays
Forty Three Bakery, Salt Lake City
733 Genesee Ave (entrance and patio around back)
8 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily except Tuesday.
Fillings & Emulsions, Salt Lake City
1391 S 300 West (next to Lowe’s)
7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (closed Sunday)
6440 N. Business Park Loop Road (Silver Creek Business Park
7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Monday to Friday)