If you have been looking for a moist, buttery, and crunchy lemon scones recipe, this recipe is for you.
Easy Glazed Lemon Scones Recipe
These lemon scones are so easy to make. They are delicious snacks for a quick brunch or as a perfect dessert option. You only need about 35 minutes to have this on your table. Crusty on the outside, rich and buttery on the inside.
What makes these lemon scones particularly special is the delightful glaze—sweet, tangy, and simply addictive. My family loves them, and they’ve quickly become a brunch-time staple in our home.
A Simple Lemon Scones Formula
The first time I attempted these scones, I will admit, I overthought the whole process. In the end, I learned that scones are surprisingly forgiving. The key is to handle the dough just enough to bring it together—too much kneading, and you lose that flaky, tender texture.
This recipe uses common baking ingredients. You will need flour, eggs, baking soda, baking powder, sugar, and butter. With sour cream added, your scones can be ready in no time.
The lemony flavor in the scones comes from both the lemon juice and the lemon zest. The lemon juice provides a tangy, acidic element, while the zest adds a fragrant, citrusy aroma. The combination of these two ingredients gives the scones a refreshing and vibrant lemon flavor.
Also, a little tip: chilling the dough for about 15 minutes before baking helps the scones hold their shape and puff up beautifully.
This recipe also includes a lemon glaze that is drizzled over the scones after they are baked, adding an extra burst of lemon flavor and sweetness.
If you love lemons, you should try some of my lemon-inspired recipes: Lemon Curd is great on desserts and pastries like lemon scones. Lemon Chicken Piccata is both versatile and delicious.
Ingredients for making Lemon Scones
- Flour
- Sugar
- Leavening: Baking powder and baking soda
- Salt
- Sour Cream
- Egg
- Lemon Zest
- Melted Butter
- Lemon Juice
How to Make Lemon Scones
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F) and position the oven rack lower-middle.
- In a medium bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Grate cold butter into mixture and mix until coarse meal texture.
- Whisk together sour cream, egg, and lemon zest in a small bowl.
- Add sour cream mixture to flour mixture, stirring until clumps form. Shape into a ball.
- Place dough on a floured surface, pat into a 7-8 inch circle, 3/4-inch thick. Cut into 8 triangles and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 15-17 minutes until golden brown. Cool for 5 minutes before adding glaze or toppings.
How to make Lemon Sugar Glaze for scones
- While the scones are cooling, mix the freshly squeezed lemon juice with the confectioners’ sugar until smooth.
- Mix in the melted butter.
- Use either a brush or a spoon to apply the glaze over the warm scones. Let the glaze set hard before serving.
Serving lemon scones?
They are often enjoyed as a breakfast or brunch treat and can be served with butter or jam. They can even be enjoyed on their own!
- Afternoon Tea: Afternoon Tea: Serve as part of a traditional afternoon tea. Include lemon curd and different tea options.
- Brunch: Serve with other sides like scrambled eggs, bacon, fresh fruit, and yogurt parfaits.
- Light Lunch: Serve lemon scones as part of a light lunch alongside a salad or soup. They can be a delicious and refreshing addition to a summer lunch menu.
- Picnic: If you are planning a picnic with your family, pack lemon scones in your basket. They go well with sandwiches, salads, and fresh lemonade.
- Dessert: Lemon scones can be served as a dessert option alongside lemon yogurt cake. Pair them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or a drizzle of lemon glaze.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are lemon scones?
Lemon scones are delicious baked goods that are made with a combination of flour, sugar, butter, sour cream, egg, and lemon zest. They have a light and buttery texture, with a refreshing lemon flavor. The ingredients are mixed together to form a dough, which is then shaped into triangles and baked in the oven until golden brown.
Why are my lemon scones hard?
There are many reasons your lemon scones can turn out hard. First is overmixing the dough, which can develop gluten and result in a tougher texture. Another reason could be overbaking the scones, as they can become dry and hard if left in the oven for too long. To ensure soft and tender scones, be careful not to overmix the dough and keep a close eye on the baking time.
How do I keep my scones soft after baking?
To keep your scones soft after baking, make sure not to overbake them. Ensure to keep your eyes on the baking time. Once they finish baking, move them to a wire rack to cool completely. Then, store them in an airtight container to keep them moist.
Storage Tips
How to store lemon scones
Let them cool completely before storing them. Place them in an airtight container. They can be stored at room temperature for up to two days or in the refrigerator for up to one week.
You can freeze lemon scones but you need to allow the glaze to dry slightly before freezing.
Reheating lemon scones?
One way is to put the scones in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C). Heat them for about 5 minutes until they are warm.
You can also use a microwave. Heat the scones in 10 to 15-second intervals until they reach the desired temperature. Just be cautious not to overheat them, so they don’t become dry and hard.
Tips for making buttery lemon scones
- Don’t overmix: Be careful not to overmix the dough when combining the ingredients. Overmixing can make the dough tough.
- Don’t overbake: Pay attention to the baking time and avoid overbaking the scones. Overbaking can lead to a dry texture. Start checking for doneness a few minutes before the baking time ends.
Other delicious brunch options to try
- Easy Classic Waffles Recipe
- Easy Homemade Biscuits From Scratch
- Mouth-watering Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe
- Sweet Potato Hash Browns
- French Toast — Classic, Quick and Easy
- Fresh And Flavorful Caprese Orzo Salad
Lemon Scones
Ingredients
For the lemon scones
- 3 lemons zest Finely grated
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter cold, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 1 large egg cold
- 2/3 cup buttermilk plus extra for brushing the scones
For the lemon glaze
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
For the lemon scones
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, rub the lemon zest into the sugar to release the oils. Then add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk until well combined.
- Add the cold butter cubes to the flour mixture. Using a pastry cutter, blend the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized butter pieces. If you don't have a pastry cutter, use your fingertips to squish the butter into flat, small pieces.
- In a separate measuring cup, whisk together the buttermilk and egg. Pour this mixture into the flour mixture. Gently fold with a rubber spatula or dough scraper until it forms a crumbly dough. Do not overmix; it’s okay if the dough is slightly lumpy.
- Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Gently knead a few times, then shape it into an 8-inch diameter disk, about 1 1/2 inches thick. Cut the disk into 8 wedges.
- Place the wedges onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them at least 1 inch apart. Brush the tops lightly with buttermilk.
- Place the baking sheet in the freezer for 15 minutes to chill.
- Bake the scones in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes or until golden brown on top and bottom. Let them cool completely on the pan.
For the lemon glaze
- While the scones cool, whisk together the powdered sugar and lemon juice in a small bowl until smooth.
- Drizzle the lemon glaze over the cooled scones using a spoon. Allow the glaze to set for about 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
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