Lemon Scones

Lemon Scones are sweet, tangy, and incredibly easy to make. With just a few ingredients, these scones are perfect for breakfast or dessert!

Course Dessert

Cuisine French

Keyword lemon dessert, lemon scones, scones

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 15

Total Time 30

Servings scones

Calories 246

Author Gayle

3 cups self-rising flour (If you prefer to make your own, see tips above recipe box)
½ cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1 cup buttermilk divided
3 tablespoons lemon juice
½ cup unsalted butter frozen

Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a large baking pan with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, whisk the flour, sugar, and lemon zest. Be sure to spoon out the flour into measuring cup, do not compact it while measuring. (See note below for adding stronger lemon flavor)
Grate the frozen butter and mix into the flour mixture with a pastry cutter.
Mix together the buttermilk and lemon juice in a small bow. Then, gently mix about ¾-1 cup of the liquid into the flour just until it’s moistened, leaving 2 or 3 Tablespoons for brushing on top. Don’t overwork the dough once liquid is added. Gently stir dough until it takes on a shaggy appearance.
Turn the mixture out onto a lightly floured pastry mat or cutting board. Knead the dough 4 or 5 times, folding it in half each time until it just comes together.
Gently roll into a 1”-thick circle. Cut into 12 triangles and arrange on prepared baking pan, with at least an inch between each triangle. Brush the remaining buttermilk on top.
Bake for 11-13 minutes until lightly golden on the bottom. Cool completely before glazing.
To make glaze, stir together powdered sugar and lemon juice until it reaches your desired consistency. Add in more lemon juice to make it thinner, and more powdered sugar to make it thicker. Drizzle glaze on each scone.

These scones have a more subtle lemon flavor. For more of a tangy punch, add in an additional 1-2 Tablespoons of lemon zest and juice to your dough. You can also add lemon zest to your glaze for more lemon flavor.
See my tips and tricks for making these Lemon Scones above the recipe box.