Lemon Poppy Seed Scones (Printable)
Tender scones bursting with lemon flavor and a tangy sweet glaze, ideal for breakfast or tea.
# What You'll Need:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/3 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
04 - 1 tablespoon baking powder
05 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
→ Wet Ingredients
06 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
07 - 1/2 cup heavy cream, plus more for brushing
08 - 1 large egg
09 - Zest of 2 lemons
10 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
11 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
→ Glaze
12 - 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
13 - 2-3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
14 - 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, poppy seeds, baking powder, and salt.
03 - Add cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry cutter or fingertips, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
04 - In a separate bowl, whisk together cream, egg, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract.
05 - Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Stir gently with a fork until just combined. Do not overmix.
06 - Turn dough onto lightly floured surface. Pat into 1-inch thick circle about 8 inches in diameter. Cut into 8 wedges and transfer to prepared baking sheet, spacing apart.
07 - Brush scones with extra cream for golden finish. Bake 16-18 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Let cool on wire rack.
08 - Whisk powdered sugar with 2 tablespoons lemon juice. Add more juice for desired consistency. Stir in lemon zest.
09 - Drizzle glaze over cooled scones. Allow to set before serving.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The texture walks this perfect line between tender and substantial, somehow both delicate and satisfying all at once
- That glaze transforms everything, hitting your tongue with sweet tang before you even bite into the scone itself
02 -
- Working quickly when you add the butter matters, because warm hands melt those fat pockets and you lose the flaky layers
- The dough will feel slightly sticky and shaggy, but that's exactly right, so resist the urge to keep adding flour
03 -
- Zest your lemons before juicing them, because trying to zest a squeezed lemon is frustrating and wasteful
- If your glaze sets too quickly, pop it in the microwave for just 5 seconds to loosen it back up