The Ultimate Strawberry Lemon Scones: A Zesty & Sweet Summer Treat
Imagine biting into a perfectly baked scone – crisp on the outside, incredibly tender on the inside, bursting with the vibrant flavors of fresh strawberries and bright lemon, all crowned with a sweet yet tangy lemon glaze. These Strawberry Lemon Scones are not just a recipe; they are an invitation to savor the essence of summer, no matter the season. Whether it’s a sunny morning or a cozy afternoon, these fragrant delights promise to bring a burst of happiness to your table.
This recipe transforms a classic favorite, infusing light and tender scones with the quintessential flavors of summer. The juicy sweetness of strawberries perfectly complements the zesty zing of lemon, creating a harmonious balance that will captivate your taste buds. Drizzled with an irresistible lemon glaze, each scone is a small masterpiece, perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a delightful afternoon tea.
A Scone-Sational Return: My Journey Back to Baking
You might be wondering where I’ve been. It feels like an elephant in the room, as I haven’t shared a new post in almost a year! Life, as it often does, threw a few curveballs my way, turning what was meant to be a short blogging break into a much longer hiatus. But through all the chaos, the kitchen remained a place of comfort and creativity, ultimately leading me back to these beautiful scones.
For those curious about my accidental break, here’s a quick recap of the whirlwind year:
- I initially decided to pause the blog for the holiday season, wanting to fully immerse myself in family time. Little did I know, this pause would extend far beyond December.
- We embarked on the monumental task of moving to a new house. The endless packing, unpacking, and organizing felt like a marathon!
- Then, I was knocked down by influenza B, a particularly nasty bug that left me feeling quite unwell for an extended period.
- Once recovered, our attention shifted to preparing our old house for sale, which involved a lot of cleaning, minor repairs, and staging.
- My daughter’s high school graduation brought a mix of immense joy and considerable stress as we navigated the planning and emotional milestones.
- To celebrate her graduation, we embarked on a special mother-daughter trip to San Juan and some beautiful Caribbean islands, creating unforgettable memories.
- Returning from our trip, I plunged straight into the busiest season at the library where I work, leaving little time for anything else.
- Soon after, it was time for our annual family vacation, another much-needed escape.
- Next, we devoted our energy to getting my daughter fully enrolled and prepared for her exciting journey to college.
- Amidst all this, I discovered my website wasn’t displaying correctly across various web browsers. This prompted a full site redesign, an effort to improve search functions and user experience.
And just as I felt my life settling back into a rhythm, and making significant progress on the website redesign, fate had one more surprise in store:
- I dislocated my ankle. This has undoubtedly been the most challenging item on the list, and recovery is proving to be a slow and arduous process.
So, as you can see, it has truly been a doozy of a year! But enough about the past; let’s return to the joyous present and these incredible Strawberry Lemon Scones. Despite the challenges, the simple act of baking has consistently brought me immense comfort and a sense of accomplishment.
The Perfect Pair: Why Strawberries and Lemon Shine in Scones
Nothing evokes the feeling of summer quite like the juicy sweetness of fresh strawberries. In my home, we’re absolutely obsessed with strawberry lemonade, going through gallons of it! So, when I found myself with a few leftover strawberries after preparing a fruit salad for a work event, I instantly knew that the strawberry and lemon combination would be a winning flavor profile for my next baking adventure.
Since scones are my absolute favorite thing to bake, it was a natural choice. Strawberries are an excellent addition to scones for several reasons. Their firm flesh means they hold their shape beautifully during the mixing and baking process, unlike softer berries like raspberries or blackberries which can easily get mashed and break down in the dough. This ensures lovely pockets of fruit throughout your scones. While strawberries are wonderfully flavorful, they can be quite juicy. I’ve found that sometimes, depending on the strawberries, I might need to add an extra tablespoon or two of flour to the dough to compensate for that extra moisture, ensuring the scones maintain their perfect texture.
My Secret for Tall, Fluffy Scones: A Game-Changing Method
Over the years, I’ve refined my scone-making technique, and I’ve come to realize that my approach might differ from many other bakers. When it’s time to pat the dough out into a round, I do so directly on the baking sheet. Then, after cutting the round into wedges, I only very slightly separate them, giving them about a centimeter of space in between. This might seem counterintuitive if you’re used to giving scones plenty of room to spread.
But here’s the magic: by keeping them relatively close, you encourage them to “grow up” rather than “spread out.” Just like my kids, I prefer my scones tall and proud! This method yields a wonderfully tall, fluffy, and tender scone, with a soft interior that melts in your mouth, as opposed to a thinner, crispier one. The slight closeness also creates steam between the scones, which aids in their vertical rise. If you’ve never tried this approach before, I highly encourage you to give it a shot with these Strawberry Lemon Scones. I’d love to hear what you think of this technique!
Tips for Scone Perfection
- Keep Ingredients Cold: Cold butter is crucial for flaky scones. It creates pockets of steam in the oven, giving your scones that desirable light texture.
- Don’t Overmix: Overworking the dough develops the gluten, leading to tough scones. Mix just until combined.
- Fresh is Best: While frozen strawberries can be used (don’t thaw!), fresh strawberries and freshly zested lemon will provide the most vibrant flavors.
- Adjust Flour for Juiciness: As mentioned, if your strawberries are particularly juicy, add an extra tablespoon or two of flour to the dry ingredients.
The Finishing Touch: Tangy Lemon Glaze
No scone is truly complete without a delightful topping, and for these Strawberry Lemon Scones, a simple yet potent lemon glaze is the ideal complement. Made with just powdered sugar and fresh lemon juice, this glaze adds a bright, tangy counterpoint to the sweet strawberries and rich scone dough. It not only enhances the flavor profile but also adds a beautiful sheen, making each scone look as inviting as it tastes. Drizzle it generously over your cooled scones for that perfect finishing touch.
Strawberry Lemon Scones
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Ingredients
For the Scones
- 2 cups chopped strawberries
- 1 Tablespoon lemon zest (approx one lemon zested)
- 2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 6 Tablespoons cold butter
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup milk
For the glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200°C). Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with either a silicone baking mat or a sheet of parchment paper. This helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup easier.
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In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Whisk these dry ingredients together to ensure they are well combined. Cut the cold butter into small, pea-sized pieces and add them to the flour mixture. Using a pastry blender, two knives, or your fingertips, cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with no large lumps of butter remaining. The colder the butter, the flakier your scones will be.
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Gently stir the chopped strawberries and lemon zest into the flour and butter mixture. In a separate small bowl, lightly beat together the egg and milk. Pour this wet mixture over the dry ingredients and stir with a spoon or your hands until everything is just combined. Be careful not to overmix! The dough should come together into a loose, slightly sticky mass. If the dough seems too wet due to very juicy strawberries, add an extra tablespoon or two of flour.
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Transfer the scone dough to the prepared baking sheet. With floured hands, gently pat the dough into a 9-inch round, about 1-inch thick. Using a sharp knife or a bench scraper, cut the round into 8 wedges, just like you would cut a pizza. Carefully separate these wedges ever so slightly, giving them around a centimeter (about half an inch) of space in between. This helps them rise taller.
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Bake the scones in the preheated oven for 23-27 minutes, or until they are beautifully golden brown on top and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach about 200-210°F (93-99°C). Once baked, carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven and transfer the hot scones to a wire rack to cool completely.
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While the scones are cooling, prepare your tangy lemon glaze. In a small bowl, combine the powdered sugar and fresh lemon juice. Whisk them together thoroughly until the glaze is perfectly smooth, with no lumps, and has a pourable consistency. If it’s too thick, add a tiny bit more lemon juice; if too thin, add a touch more powdered sugar.
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Once the scones have cooled sufficiently, generously drizzle the lemon glaze over them. Allow the glaze to set for a few minutes before serving. These Strawberry Lemon Scones are best enjoyed fresh, perhaps with a cup of tea or coffee!
Notes
Nutrition
Serving Suggestions and Variations
These Strawberry Lemon Scones are wonderful on their own, fresh from the oven with their tangy glaze. However, they can also be elevated further! Serve them alongside a steaming cup of coffee or a refreshing glass of iced tea. For an extra treat, you could offer a side of clotted cream or a simple strawberry jam, though with the juicy berries and flavorful glaze, they hardly need it. If fresh strawberries are out of season, you can use frozen strawberries; just be sure not to thaw them before adding to the dough, and you might still need that extra tablespoon of flour.
Feeling adventurous? While strawberry lemon is a match made in heaven, consider other berry and citrus combinations like blueberry orange or raspberry lime for a delightful twist on this scone recipe. The foundational scone dough is versatile, allowing you to experiment with your favorite fruit and zest pairings.
Troubleshooting Common Scone Issues
Even experienced bakers can sometimes run into issues. Here are a few common scone problems and how to avoid them:
- Dry, crumbly dough: If your dough isn’t coming together, it might be too dry. Add milk one teaspoon at a time until it forms a cohesive, albeit sticky, ball.
- Tough scones: This is usually a sign of overmixing. Remember, mix just until the ingredients are combined. A shaggy dough is a happy dough!
- Flat scones: If your scones don’t rise, ensure your baking powder is fresh. Also, make sure your butter is very cold, as this creates steam that helps them puff up. And of course, try my method of keeping them slightly close on the baking sheet to encourage vertical rise!
Baking these Strawberry Lemon Scones is a truly rewarding experience, bringing bright, summery flavors into your home with minimal effort. They are a testament to the simple joys of homemade treats, perfect for sharing with loved ones or enjoying as a personal indulgence. I hope this recipe brings as much happiness to your kitchen as it has to mine. Happy baking!
