Make these soft, buttery lemon scones from scratch. They feature a bright, zesty lemon flavor and are finished with a sweet lemon glaze, perfect for brunch or afternoon tea.
Author:cookingbycarla
Prep Time:15 min
Cook Time:15 min
Total Time:30 min
Yield:8 scones 1x
Category:Breakfast
Method:Baking
Cuisine:American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1 large egg
1/2 cup heavy cream, plus 1 tablespoon for brushing
1 tablespoon fresh lemon zest
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup powdered sugar (for glaze)
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (for glaze)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the egg, 1/2 cup heavy cream, lemon zest, and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix gently with a fork until just combined. Do not overmix; the dough will be slightly shaggy.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Gently pat the dough into a 3/4-inch thick circle.
Cut the circle into 8 equal wedges, like a pizza. Place the wedges on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between them.
Brush the tops of the scones lightly with the remaining 1 tablespoon of heavy cream.
Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the tops are lightly golden brown. Let the scones cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes.
While the scones cool, prepare the glaze: Whisk together the powdered sugar and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice until smooth.
Drizzle the lemon glaze over the slightly warm or cooled scones. Serve these citrus breakfast treats warm or at room temperature.
Notes
For the softest scones ever, make sure your butter is very cold before mixing it into the flour.
You can make these ahead of time; store cooled scones in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days.
If you prefer a stronger citrus flavor, substitute Meyer lemon juice and zest for regular lemon.