Lemon Cranberry Scones with Lemon Glaze
There’s something truly magical about waking up to the warm aroma of freshly baked scones wafting through the house. In our family, weekends are all about slowing down, enjoying each other’s company, and savoring a special breakfast together. These Lemon Cranberry Scones have become a much-loved staple in our home. It all started on a sunny Saturday when I wanted to surprise my kids and husband with a breakfast treat that was both tart and sweet, bursting with fresh, zesty flavor. The combination of tangy lemon, sweet dried cranberries, and the simple yet irresistible glaze had everyone instantly hooked.
One bite into these scones, and you’ll understand why they’ve captured a permanent spot in our breakfast rotation. They’re beautifully tender, with just the right amount of crunch on the outside. Plus, that citrusy glaze drizzled over the top? It’s nothing short of heavenly. Even my picky eaters, who usually shy away from anything too tangy, have given this recipe a big thumbs up. And for those busy mornings? They’re surprisingly quick to whip up! So whether you’re a seasoned baker or just love a good shortcut, these scones are here to make your mornings brighter and more delicious. Let’s dive into all you need to know to make these a hit in your kitchen!
Questions I Often Get Asked About This Recipe:
Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried ones?
Absolutely! If you prefer using fresh cranberries, feel free to swap them in. Just remember, fresh cranberries are more tart than dried, so you might want to adjust the sugar to balance the flavors.
What can I use if I don’t have fresh lemons?
If you’re out of lemons, bottled lemon juice will work in a pinch. However, the zest is essential for the best flavor. You can skip the zest if you don’t have fresh lemons, but the flavor will be less vibrant.
Can I make these scones in advance?
Yes! These scones freeze beautifully. Once they’re baked and fully cooled, store them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to three months. Just reheat in the oven at 350°F for 10-12 minutes.
What You Need to Make Lemon Cranberry Scones:
Ingredients:
2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
⅓ cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
¾ cup dried cranberries
Zest of 1 large lemon
1 cup heavy cream, plus more for brushing
Juice of 1 large lemon (for the glaze)
1 ½ cups powdered sugar (for the glaze)
Special Equipment:
Cooling rack for the scones to rest on after baking
Pastry cutter or two knives (to cut in the butter)
Baking sheet lined with parchment paper
How to Make It:
Preheat Your Oven: Set it to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the cubed cold butter, using a pastry cutter to blend until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Add the Mix-Ins: Stir in the dried cranberries and lemon zest. Pour in the heavy cream, mixing gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this will make the scones tough.
Shape and Cut: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface. Shape it into a circle about 1-inch thick and cut it into 8 wedges.
Bake: Arrange the wedges on your prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool slightly on a wire rack.
Prepare the Glaze: Whisk together powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth. Drizzle over the warm scones and enjoy!
Tips:
Use Cold Ingredients: Keeping the butter and cream cold ensures the scones are flaky.
Don’t Overwork the Dough: Mix until just combined. Overmixing activates the gluten and can lead to dense scones.
Experiment with Add-Ins: Swap cranberries for blueberries or even chocolate chips for a twist. The base recipe is wonderfully versatile.
Make the Glaze Your Own: You can add a pinch of vanilla or a bit more lemon zest to the glaze for extra flavor.
Latest Reviews:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Perfect for weekend brunch!”
These scones were a huge hit with my family. The lemon glaze is divine!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Loved them, but needed more lemon!”
Next time, I’ll add extra zest for a stronger lemon flavor. Still delicious!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Easy and foolproof!”
I’m not a great baker, but these turned out perfectly. Will make again!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “A little dry for my taste.”
They tasted great but were slightly dry. Maybe I’ll add a bit more cream next time.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Best scones I’ve made!”
These were so easy, and everyone raved about them. Perfect with a cup of tea!
Printable Recipe:
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Lemon Cranberry Scones with Lemon Glaze
These Lemon Cranberry Scones are the perfect blend of tangy and sweet, drizzled with a simple lemon glaze that brings all the flavors together. A breakfast favorite that’s easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour
- Granulated sugar
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Unsalted butter (cold, cut into cubes)
- Dried cranberries
- Lemon zest
- Heavy cream
- Fresh lemon juice
- Powdered sugar (for the glaze)
- Special Equipment:
- Pastry cutter (or you can use two knives)
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Cooling rack
Instructions
- Preheat Your Oven: Set it to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the cubed cold butter, using a pastry cutter to blend until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add the Mix-Ins: Stir in the dried cranberries and lemon zest. Pour in the heavy cream, mixing gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this will make the scones tough.
- Shape and Cut: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface. Shape it into a circle about 1-inch thick and cut it into 8 wedges.
- Bake: Arrange the wedges on your prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool slightly on a wire rack.
- Prepare the Glaze: Whisk together powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth. Drizzle over the warm scones and enjoy!
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I don’t see any quantities for any of the ingredients. I would love to make these for my friend.
Hi! Thank you for pointing this out! The quantities are now on there. Hope you and your friend enjoy these!