There’s something truly special about homemade scones, and when you combine the bright, zesty flavor of lemon with sweet-tart cherries, you’ve got a breakfast treat that’s irresistible. These Cherry Lemon Scones are soft, buttery, and filled with pockets of juicy cherries and fragrant lemon zest. Whether you’re serving them at a weekend brunch or enjoying them with your morning coffee, these scones will become a favorite in no time.
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Why You’ll Love These Cherry Lemon Scones 🍒
Bright and Fruity Flavor: The tartness of cherries balances perfectly with the fresh lemon zest, creating a delicious burst of flavor with every bite.
Tender and Fluffy Texture: These scones are soft, with a buttery crumb that practically melts in your mouth, thanks to a combination of cold butter and cream.
Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a cozy morning breakfast or an elegant afternoon tea, these scones are a versatile, crowd-pleasing treat.
Easy to Make: You don’t need fancy equipment or techniques—just a few simple ingredients, and you’re ready to bake!
What Do Cherry Lemon Scones Taste Like? 🍋
These scones are the perfect combination of sweet, tart, and refreshing. The cherries add a pop of natural sweetness and juiciness, while the lemon zest gives each bite a bright, citrusy note. The scone itself is rich and buttery, with a tender crumb that’s perfectly golden on the outside but soft inside. Paired with a light lemon glaze or a smear of butter, they’re absolutely divine!
Benefits of These Scones
- Bursting with real fruit flavor from fresh or dried cherries and lemon zest.
- Freezer-friendly—you can make and freeze them for easy baking later.
- Customizable—swap out cherries for other fruits like blueberries or raspberries.
- Perfect for meal prep—these scones stay fresh for days and are easy to reheat.
Ingredients for Cherry Lemon Scones 🍒🍋
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 6 tbsp cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 1 cup fresh or frozen pitted cherries (or dried cherries if preferred)
- Zest of 1 large lemon
- ½ cup heavy cream, plus extra for brushing
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
Optional Lemon Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- Zest of ½ lemon
Tools You’ll Need
- Mixing bowls
- Pastry cutter or two forks (to cut in the butter)
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Pastry brush
- Zester or microplane
- Knife or bench scraper (to shape and cut the dough)
Ingredient Substitutions & Additions
- No fresh cherries? Use frozen cherries (no need to thaw) or dried cherries for a more concentrated flavor. You can also use other berries or chopped dried fruits.
- Dairy-free? Replace the butter with a plant-based alternative and use coconut or almond milk instead of heavy cream.
- Extra lemony? Add more lemon zest or a few drops of lemon extract for an even stronger citrus flavor.
- Add some texture! Stir in a handful of chopped nuts, like almonds or pecans, for a bit of crunch.
Cherry Lemon Scones
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Mix well.
- Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or two forks until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Gently fold in the cherries, lemon zest, and mix to combine.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, egg, vanilla extract, and lemon juice.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
- Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and gently knead it a few times until it comes together.
- Pat the dough into a circle about 1 inch thick. Cut into wedges and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Brush the tops with extra heavy cream before baking.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool slightly before glazing.
- Mix the powdered sugar, fresh lemon juice, and lemon zest together until smooth.
- Drizzle the glaze over the warm scones before serving.
