Easy Lemon Raspberry Scones Recipe

If you’re looking to brighten your morning or add a burst of fresh flavor to your afternoon tea, these Easy Lemon Raspberry Scones are an absolute delight. They are beautifully tender with a perfect crumb, balancing the bright, zesty zing of lemon with the juicy sweetness of fresh raspberries. Each bite offers a buttery richness with pops of tangy berries, making these scones a true crowd-pleaser and a favorite for both beginners and seasoned bakers alike.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of these scones lies in their simplicity. The ingredients are straightforward but essential, each playing a crucial role in creating the tender texture, the delicate crumb, and the vibrant flavor that make these scones so irresistible.

• 1 cup heavy cream: Chilled to give the dough moisture and tenderness, plus a touch of richness.
• 8 tablespoons butter: Melted and added for that classic buttery taste and soft crumb.
• 2 cups all-purpose flour: The foundation of the scone, providing structure and a fluffy interior.
• 6 tablespoons sugar: Adds just the right amount of sweetness to balance tartness.
• 1 tablespoon baking powder: Helps the scones rise and become fluffy.
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda: Works with the cream to ensure lightness.
• 1/2 teaspoon salt: Enhances all the flavors without overpowering.
• Zest of 1 medium-size lemon: Infuses a refreshing citrus aroma that brightens every bite.
• 1/2 cup fresh raspberries: The star of the show, providing bursts of juicy sweetness and vibrant color.

How to Make Easy Lemon Raspberry Scones

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Ingredients

Start by heating your oven to a lively 400 degrees Fahrenheit. This ensures a hot environment for the scones to rise perfectly. While the oven warms, line a sheet pan with parchment paper for easy cleanup and better baking control. Chill your heavy cream in the freezer for 10-15 minutes; this step is crucial as cold cream helps the dough to stay cool and flaky during mixing.

Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients

Grab a medium-sized bowl and whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, lemon zest, and salt. This dry mix is where the scone’s rise magic begins, and the lemon zest infuses that fresh citrus flavor evenly throughout the dough.

Step 3: Mix Butter and Cream

Melt the butter gently in the microwave, then set it aside to cool slightly. When cooled, stir the chilled cream into the butter — it should form little clumps, a sign that the fat is combining properly without melting everything entirely. This combination will give your scones a beautiful tender crumb and a delicious buttery taste.

Step 4: Bring It All Together

Add the butter and cream mixture to the dry ingredients, stirring gently but thoroughly so the flour is just incorporated. Overmixing can toughen scones, so take a light touch here to keep them soft and crumbly.

Step 5: Fold in the Raspberries

Carefully break the raspberries in half and sprinkle them over the batter. Gently fold in the berries to avoid smashing them into the dough, preserving lovely red bursts in every bite.

Step 6: Shape and Chill

Use a scoop or spoon to place mounds of batter onto the prepared sheet pan. After scooping, refrigerate the tray for at least 15 minutes — this chilling period helps the scones hold their shape and bake beautifully.

Step 7: Bake and Cool

Pop the scones into the oven for 18-22 minutes, until they’re golden brown on top and smell absolutely heavenly. Once out of the oven, transfer them to a wire rack to cool slightly. For an extra touch of flair, top each sliced scone with a fresh raspberry right before serving.

How to Serve Easy Lemon Raspberry Scones

Garnishes

A light dusting of powdered sugar or a thin glaze made from lemon juice and powdered sugar adds a beautiful shine and another layer of citrus sweetness that pairs perfectly with the raspberries. Fresh mint leaves can also add a refreshing touch and enhance the visual appeal.

Side Dishes

These scones shine wonderfully alongside a cup of hot tea or a rich coffee. For a more indulgent treat, serve with clotted cream or your favorite jam to complement the tangy fruit notes. Fresh fruit salad or a dollop of vanilla yogurt also makes a lovely contrast in textures and flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

For a charming brunch, arrange the scones on a tiered stand with fresh lemon slices and raspberry sprigs. They also make wonderful gifts when wrapped individually in parchment and tied with a pretty ribbon. Feeling adventurous? Turn these scones into mini shortcakes by slicing, adding whipped cream, and layering with extra raspberries.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Wrap your scones tightly in plastic wrap or store them in an airtight container to keep them soft and fresh for up to 2 days at room temperature. If you want to keep them longer, refrigeration is an option but may slightly dry their texture.

Freezing

These Easy Lemon Raspberry Scones freeze beautifully. Place them in a freezer-safe bag or container with as much air removed as possible. They’ll stay fresh for up to 3 months — perfect for baking batches ahead of time or saving some for a quick morning treat.

Reheating

To revive that fresh-baked warmth, reheat scones in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5-7 minutes. This method crisps up the edges while keeping the inside tender. Avoid microwaving, which can make them rubbery or dry.

FAQs

Can I use frozen raspberries instead of fresh?

Fresh raspberries are ideal for texture and taste, but if frozen are your only option, use them straight from the freezer and gently fold them into the batter to prevent too much liquid, which can change the dough consistency.

Is there a substitute for heavy cream in this recipe?

You can use whole milk mixed with a tablespoon of melted butter to approximate heavy cream. However, the texture might be less rich and slightly less tender.

Why do the scones need to be chilled before baking?

Chilling helps the butter and cream mixture set, which creates steam during baking to form flaky layers and keeps the scones from spreading too much while baking.

Can I make these scones gluten-free?

Yes, by substituting the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend that includes xanthan gum, you can enjoy these scones without gluten. Just be mindful that some textures may vary slightly.

How lemony will these scones be?

The lemon zest offers a bright but not overpowering citrus flavor, perfectly balanced by the sweet raspberries and buttery dough, giving you a fresh, lively taste that’s comforting and uplifting.

Final Thoughts

There you have it — a truly uplifting and delicious recipe for Easy Lemon Raspberry Scones that you’ll want to make again and again. Whether for a special breakfast, an elegant tea, or a simple anytime treat, these scones bring together bright flavors and tender crumb in a way that always feels like a warm hug. Give this recipe a try, and you might just find your new favorite go-to scone to share with friends and family!

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