If you’re searching for a treat that strikes the perfect balance between sweet, tart, and buttery, you absolutely must try these Easy Lemon Raspberry Scones. Bursting with juicy raspberries and kissed with vibrant lemon zest, these scones come together in just a few simple steps, filling your kitchen with an irresistible aroma and making every bite a celebration. They’re perfect for lazy Sunday brunches, quick weekday breakfasts, or afternoon tea with friends—honestly, you’ll want to bake them at every opportunity!
Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the best things about Easy Lemon Raspberry Scones is that each ingredient is simple, but together, they create a magical medley of flavors and textures. Every component plays an essential role in delivering that tender crumb, golden edge, and bright flavor you’ll crave.
- Heavy Cream: Chilled for flakiness; it gives the dough richness and helps create those lovely layers.
- Butter: Melted and then cooled, the butter brings lots of flavor and that classic scone tenderness.
- All-Purpose Flour: The backbone of your scone, giving it structure while staying light.
- Sugar: Adds delicate sweetness, rounding out the tart bite of raspberries and lemon.
- Baking Powder: Ensures your scones rise tall and proud, with just the right crumb.
- Baking Soda: Boosts leavening and reacts with the acidity from raspberries and lemon for a great tender texture.
- Salt: Just enough to enhance the buttery, citrusy flavors without overwhelming them.
- Lemon Zest: Freshly zest a medium lemon to add brightness and beautiful aroma.
- Fresh Raspberries: Bursts of juicy, tart flavor that speckle each scone with color and taste.
How to Make Easy Lemon Raspberry Scones
Step 1: Prep the Oven and Sheet Pan
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and line a sheet pan with parchment paper. This way, your Easy Lemon Raspberry Scones bake evenly and won’t stick—plus, cleanup is a breeze!
Step 2: Chill the Cream
Pop your cup of heavy cream in the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes. This little trick helps the cream form lovely pockets of steam as the scones bake, creating that light and flaky interior everyone loves.
Step 3: Melt and Cool the Butter
Melt your butter in a microwave-safe bowl and set it aside to cool slightly. You want it to be liquid but not piping hot, so it mixes evenly with the chilled cream in the next step.
Step 4: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, lemon zest, and salt. Whisking ensures every scone has an even burst of citrusy, sweet, and perfectly seasoned flavor.
Step 5: Combine Butter and Cream
Pour the chilled heavy cream into the melted, cooled butter, stirring gently. You’ll notice small clumps form—this is exactly what you want! These buttery clusters dot the dough and melt as the scones bake, creating irresistible flakiness.
Step 6: Form the Dough
Add the cream and butter mixture to the bowl of dry ingredients. Stir gently until the flour is just incorporated. Take care not to overmix; stop as soon as you don’t see any dry patches left for the most tender scone.
Step 7: Add the Raspberries
Break each raspberry in half, then sprinkle them over your scone batter. Gently mix, just enough to distribute the fruit without smashing it. The goal is to create lovely pockets of berry throughout each scone.
Step 8: Scoop and Chill
Using a large spoon or ice cream scoop, drop generous mounds of dough onto your prepared baking sheet. Space them accordingly, as they’ll spread slightly. Slip the tray into the fridge for at least 15 minutes—this extra chill helps your Easy Lemon Raspberry Scones hold their beautiful shape when baked.
Step 9: Bake to Perfection
Bake the scones for 18 to 22 minutes, or until they’re golden brown and the tops look crackly. Let them cool on a wire rack; this keeps bottoms crisp and allows flavors to settle, making them even better.
Step 10: Serve and Enjoy!
Once cooled, go ahead and slice, then indulge in your first taste. If you’d like, top each scone with a fresh raspberry or a little drizzle of glaze. Enjoy every bite—these scones are pure joy.
How to Serve Easy Lemon Raspberry Scones
Garnishes
To make your Easy Lemon Raspberry Scones pop, add a dusting of powdered sugar or a sprinkle of extra lemon zest before serving. For a bakery-worthy look, nestle a raspberry on top or finish with a simple lemon glaze (just mix powdered sugar with lemon juice for a sweet-tart drizzle).
Side Dishes
Pair your scones with a mug of hot Earl Grey tea, a creamy latte, or a big cup of fresh coffee. For a brunch spread, serve alongside fruit salad, yogurt parfaits, or even scrambled eggs—the brightness of the scones complements savory dishes surprisingly well!
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange your Easy Lemon Raspberry Scones on a rustic wooden board or a vintage plate, and add little bowls of clotted cream or lemon curd for spreading. Stack them for a dramatic look, or tie them in parchment bundles for a lovely homemade gift. They shine at baby showers, picnics, or just on a pretty plate for yourself.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your leftover Easy Lemon Raspberry Scones in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. They’ll stay moist and flavorful, especially if you layer them with a piece of parchment between each scone to keep them from sticking together.
Freezing
Freeze completely cooled scones in a zip-top bag or airtight container for up to two months. For best results, freeze them individually wrapped, so you can grab just one or two when a craving hits!
Reheating
To recapture that just-baked magic, reheat scones in a 300 degree Fahrenheit oven for 8 to 10 minutes. They’ll come out warm and fragrant, with crisp edges and tender middles—practically as good as fresh.
FAQs
Can I use frozen raspberries instead of fresh?
Yes! If using frozen raspberries, don’t thaw them first—just break them up gently and fold into the dough. This helps prevent the berries from bleeding too much, so your Easy Lemon Raspberry Scones look and taste amazing.
What if I don’t have heavy cream?
You can substitute full-fat buttermilk or a mixture of milk and sour cream. The result will be slightly different, but still delightfully rich and tender.
Can I add a glaze to these scones?
Absolutely! Whip up a quick glaze with powdered sugar and a little lemon juice, then drizzle over the cooled scones for added sweetness and zing.
How do I prevent my scones from spreading too much?
Don’t skip the chilling step before baking. That extra fridge time helps the butter and cream firm up, resulting in taller, fluffier scones that hold their shape beautifully.
What’s the best way to zest a lemon?
Use a microplane or fine grater to remove only the yellow part of the peel, avoiding the bitter white pith beneath. The zest carries all those bright citrus oils—key to the fresh flavor in Easy Lemon Raspberry Scones.
Final Thoughts
There’s so much joy baked into each batch of Easy Lemon Raspberry Scones—whether you’re serving them on a special occasion or just because. Don’t be surprised if they become a new staple in your kitchen. Give the recipe a try and share them with someone you love!