These lemon buttermilk scones are light, flaky, delicious and ready in 15 minutes! You don’t even need an electric mixer.
I’m a huge fan of scones.
My recipe for Classic Buttermilk Scones was one of the very first recipes I shared here and it’s become one of the most popular. And for good reason – it’s so easy to make, it’s absolutely delightful and it’s ready in no time at all.
One day though, as is usual in the TUB household, I had extra lemons lying around.
So I experimented with my time-tested recipe and made a lemon version. And it turned out quite lovely too!
Change #1: lemon sugar
I didn’t change the recipe drastically (why fix what’s not broken, right?). I just added lemon sugar by rubbing lemon zest and sugar together using my fingertips until our whole house smelled like lemon heaven.
Try it even if you don’t really need lemon sugar (though I’m sure we’ll find a use for it). It’s amazing.
Change #2: lemon glaze
Then I added a lemon glaze to make it even more lemony. I like my lemon buttermilk scones plain but if you’re looking for a touch of lemony sweetness, the glaze is for you.
Change #3: frozen grated butter
Instead of using cold and cubed butter, I froze my butter, grated it, then put it back in the freezer while I prepped everything else. It was a tip I saw on The Kitchn.
It’s genius (albeit a bit of work)! It results to flakier scones and it’s how I make even my classic scones now.
Change #4: rounds instead of triangles
I bought this cookie cutter from the baking supplies store which I have not used ever and for which Red constantly gives me the side-eye for (what can I say, it was cute and less than $5!). So I finally used it and made round scones.
You can shape your scones any which way you like, no side-eyes from me. Just keep them all the same shape so they bake evenly.
Result: lemon buttermilk scones nirvana
All these little changes resulted to a scone as lovely as the original.
It’s not overtly lemony and like my original scones recipe, not excessively sweet.
I love it freshly baked, slathered with butter (or clotted cream
if I can get my hands on a jar), perfect for brunch.
Great for Easter!
Speaking of brunch. If Easter brunch is your thing, these lemon buttermilk scones would be perfect. Make them just before guests arrive.
Or you can make them the night before – just freeze in Ziploc bags, then reheat when you’re ready to serve. They won’t be as flaky but they will still be delicious.
Quick & Easy Lemon Buttermilk Scones
Ingredients
For the Scones:
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ cup unsalted butter frozen and grated (see notes)
- 1 cup buttermilk
For the Optional Lemon Glaze:
- 1 cup confectioner's sugar sifted
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
Instructions
For the Scones:
- Preheat oven to 400F. Lightly grease 2 baking sheets and set aside.
- In a small bowl, using your fingertips, rub lemon zest and sugar together until fully combined and fragrant.
- In a large bowl, combine flour, all of your lemon sugar, salt, baking powder and baking soda.
- Add the grated butter and cut with a pastry cutter or a fork until the mixture looks coarse (you should still see pieces of butter/flour "balls" about the size of chickpeas).
- Make a well in the middle and add buttermilk. Mix until just combined. Don't over mix.
- Transfer the dough to a floured surface and lightly knead into a ¾ inch thick rectangle (see notes). Cut out using a 2 to 3-inch cookie cutter and place on your prepared baking pans. Space them out evenly, about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned. In the meantime, prepare your glaze.
For the Optional Lemon Glaze:
- Whisk confectioner's sugar and lemon juice until your mixture becomes pasty. Add more sugar or juice to achieve desired consistency.
- Drizzle on warm scones and serve.
Notes
- To make grating butter easier, put the butter in the freezer at least an hour before you plan to grate it. I use a cheese grater. Once you’ve grated all the butter, put it back in the freezer until ready to use. Of course, you can also opt to just use chilled and cubed butter.
- You also have the option to divide your dough into two ¾ inch thick, 6-diameter rounds. Cut each round into 8 wedges.
Nutrition
Nutritional information are estimates only.
Happy baking!
Did you make lemon buttermilk scones? I’d love to hear from you in the comments section below.
Looking for more breakfast and brunch inspiration? Here are other breakfast and brunch ideas and bread and biscuit recipes.
We also recently did a fabulous round-up of the Ultimate List of Breakfast Ideas. Check it out!
Diane Blanshan
I did make these as I had everything on hand. I was a little disappointed. They were much more biscuit like with frosting compared to the scones I get at my local bakery. I did take them to work. They did eat them….of course, they eat anything!
Sue
Just made these scones. They are delicious! Mine didn’t hold their round shape very well. They tilted a bit, however, that didn’t effect the taste! Lol! I double glazed them because I wanted more lemon. Next time, I will add more lemon zest as we really like lemon flavor and lemon juice and extract to the dough. My husband thought they tasted more like a biscuit versus a scone. Bet he still eats them though!
Jolina
Thanks Sue! I think you can’t go wrong with making these more lemony 🙂
Lynn
The scones are delicious. My partner made them and he is not a baker. Lemon sugar was a great idea and grating frozen butter made life a breeze. It is the first time I have had fluffy scones. Thank you for sharing your recipe. They will be a must when I make high tea for mom and her friends.
Jolina
Hi Lynn! Glad you liked them 🙂 Lemon sugar is wonderful isn’t it? And frozen butter is a game changer for sure. Hope you’re having a lovely weekend!
Maggie
I’m sold on grated butter, my scones are the best I’ve made to date ! Light and flakey and the glaze was the finishing touch. My daughter loves scones and my previous efforts from a booklet she handed me turned out less than good. She will love these while recooperating from back surgery. Thanks for a great recipe, look forward to more
Jolina
Hi Maggie! I’m so glad you liked them. Grated butter is a game changer isn’t it? You are most welcome and sending you good vibes for your daughter’s easy and speedy recovery.
David Simmons
Neophyte “husband” baker. Followed instructions and baked, flakey exterior and chewy interior. Had wife doing “Happy Dance”.
Thank you
Jolina
Hi David! You are most welcome! A happy dance is always a good sign 🙂 (PS: This made my day, now I want to do a happy dance too lol. Thank you!)
Donna
My husband would be in heaven. He loves all things lemon. Thanks for the recipe!
Jolina
Hi Donna! This is one of my favourite recipes ever 🙂 Hope you and your husband like them!
MJ
These were a huge hit at my brunch and everyone wanted the recipe. I made them ahead and froze them, baked them off and frosted them the day I was serving them and they were perfect. This is the perfect scone recipe!!
Jolina
I’m glad you guys liked the scones MJ! 🙂
Diana
These lemon scones are the best ever. Thanks Jolina for a great recipe.
Jolina
Hi Diana! So glad you like them! 🙂
Diane MacKenzie
These were the best scones ever! The lemon sugar trick took them over the top. I have made them several times now. Great recipe!
Jolina
Hi Diane! So happy to hear that! I’m glad you like them 🙂
Jeni
Oh my gosh, no scone is safe around me! These sound amazing. I may make these as a surprise for my husband’s birthday this weekend! 🙂
Jolina
LOL no scone is safe around me either. Thanks Jeni! Hope you and your husband like these 🙂
Aarika
These sound so delicious! I immediately want to eat these scones with a good cup of coffee. =) Thanks for sharing this wonderful recipe.
Jolina
Hi Aarika! My pleasure 🙂 It’s incredibly flaky too because of the grated butter. Hope you like it!
Ashley
Lemon and buttermilk are such a great combo! These scones look wonderful!
Cait Weingartner
Scones are one of my favorite tea time treats. These Lemon Buttermilk Scones look and sound incredible. I will definitely be making a batch very soon!
Mark
I love using buttermilk in my cooking. And I love the idea of lemon scones. I love your photos, very enticing.
Liz
Lemon sugar and lemon glaze? Be still my heart! Honestly I would top these with lemon curd as well, because I literally can’t get enough lemon flavor with my pastries. Hellooo weekend brunch!
Jolina
Yes bring on the all the lemon 🙂 Have a lovely weekend Liz!