Lemon Poppy Seed Scones (Printable)
Tender, buttery scones with bright lemon zest and a delicate crunch from poppy seeds.
# What You Need:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/3 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
04 - 2 teaspoons baking powder
05 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
06 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
→ Wet Ingredients
07 - Zest of 2 lemons
08 - 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
09 - 2/3 cup cold heavy cream, plus more for brushing
10 - 1 large egg
11 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
12 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
→ Glaze
13 - 1 cup powdered sugar
14 - 2-3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, poppy seeds, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and lemon zest until evenly distributed.
03 - Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry mixture. Cut in the butter using a pastry cutter or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized pieces of butter remaining.
04 - In a separate bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, egg, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until well combined.
05 - Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture and stir with a spatula until just combined. Do not overmix—some dry spots are acceptable.
06 - Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead 3-4 times to bring it together. Pat into a 1-inch thick circle.
07 - Cut the circle into 8 equal wedges and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing about 2 inches apart.
08 - Brush the tops of each scone with a thin layer of additional heavy cream.
09 - Bake for 16-18 minutes, or until golden brown on top and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
10 - Whisk together powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons lemon juice until smooth. Add additional lemon juice 1 teaspoon at a time until desired consistency is reached.
11 - Drizzle the glaze over the completely cooled scones. Allow glaze to set for 10 minutes before serving.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The lemon glaze sets into the perfect crackly topping that makes every bite feel special
- They come together in under 40 minutes but taste like something from a fancy bakery
02 -
- Overworking the dough makes tough scones, so stop mixing as soon as the dough comes together
- Cold ingredients are non negotiable for flaky results
03 -
- Chill your mixing bowl and pastry cutter for 10 minutes before starting if your kitchen is warm
- Let the glaze set for about 15 minutes before stacking the scones