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Soft & Buttery Lemon Scones with Bright Lemon Glaze

A stack of three delicious lemon scones topped with a thick white glaze, showcasing their crumb texture.
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Make soft, moist, and buttery lemon scones from scratch. This easy recipe uses fresh lemon zest and juice, topped with a tangy lemon icing, perfect for brunch or afternoon tea.

Ingredients

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  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) 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 (from about 2 lemons)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • For the Glaze: 1 cup powdered sugar
  • For the Glaze: 2-3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt.
  3. Cut the cold butter into the dry ingredients using a pastry blender or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining.
  4. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the egg, 1/2 cup heavy cream, lemon zest, and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice.
  5. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Use a fork to mix until just combined. Do not overmix; the dough will be shaggy.
  6. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Gently knead it 3 or 4 times until it comes together. Pat the dough into a 3/4-inch thick circle.
  7. Cut the circle into 8 equal wedges. Place the wedges onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between them.
  8. Brush the tops of the scones lightly with the remaining 1 tablespoon of heavy cream.
  9. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the tops are lightly golden brown. Let the scones cool completely on a wire rack.
  10. Prepare the glaze: Whisk the powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice together until smooth. Add more lemon juice, 1 teaspoon at a time, until you reach a thick but pourable consistency.
  11. Drizzle the lemon glaze over the cooled scones. Let the glaze set before serving.

Notes

  • For the softest scones ever, make sure your butter is very cold.
  • Use fresh lemon zest and juice for the brightest flavor.
  • If you want bakery style lemon scones, brush the tops with an egg wash (1 egg mixed with 1 teaspoon water) instead of cream before baking.
  • These pair well with your morning coffee or for afternoon tea.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingzenith.com/lemon-scones-best-soft-buttery-glaze/