Cherry Lemon Scones

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

Delicious homemade Cherry Lemon Scones that are soft, buttery, and filled with juicy cherries and fragrant lemon zest, making them perfect for brunch or breakfast.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Servings: 8 scones

Course: Breakfast, Brunch

Cuisine: American, Baked Goods

Calories: 210

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the scones

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 6 tbsp cold unsalted butter, cubed
• 1 cup fresh or frozen pitted cherries (or dried cherries if preferred)
• 1 large zest of 1 large lemon
• 1/2 cup heavy cream, plus extra for brushing
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice

See also  Iced Vovo Cheesecake

Optional Lemon Glaze

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 lemon zest of ½ lemon

Method

 

Preparation

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Mix well.
3. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or two forks until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4. Gently fold in the cherries, lemon zest, and mix to combine.
5. In a separate bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, egg, vanilla extract, and lemon juice.
6. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.

Shaping and Baking

1. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and gently knead it a few times until it comes together.
2. Pat the dough into a circle about 1 inch thick. Cut into wedges and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
3. Brush the tops with extra heavy cream before baking.
4. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool slightly before glazing.

Making the Glaze

1. Mix the powdered sugar, fresh lemon juice, and lemon zest together until smooth.
2. Drizzle the glaze over the warm scones before serving.

Notes

Scones can be frozen before baking; simply bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time. They are also customizable - feel free to add nuts or swap fruits!