Lemon Raspberry Scones
Lemon Raspberry Scones always magically disappear at breakfast time in my house. Ever grab a boring bagel or toast and think, “Why? Why not treat myself on a random Tuesday?” I know I do.
Sometimes you want something sweet, fluffy, and a little bit fancy but not impossible to make. If you’re in the same boat—craving bakery-level results without leaving the couch—let’s chat about the scone that changed my life (and maybe my cholesterol).

What Are Lemon Raspberry Scones Anyway?
If you’ve never tried a scone, you’re missing out—big time. Lemon Raspberry Scones are like your morning muffin’s sharper, more flavorful cousin. Soft on the inside, crumbly on the edges, and packed with tangy lemon plus sweet bits of raspberry. Here’s my two cents: most scones at coffee shops are dry as a sun-baked sidewalk. But homemade ones? A totally different galaxy—moist, bright, and absolutely bursting with real flavor. Oddly enough, these get better even after a few hours. I sometimes microwave leftovers and—wow. My kids once compared them to “sugary clouds.” Not wrong!
“This recipe is the only reason I bake scones at home now—tastes way better than the store bought version and never dry!” —Emma P., reader from Vermont
Must-Have Ingredients for Lemon Raspberry Scones
You mostly need fridge staples and a citrus fruit or two. Here’s what you’ll need (and don’t get weirded out by the slightly long list, it’s easy in practice):
- All-purpose flour (don’t fuss with fancy kinds)
- White sugar, adjust for your sweet tooth
- Baking powder, gives them that lift
- Salt, just a pinch (trust the process)
- Unsalted butter, cold is crucial—don’t let it melt!
- Fresh lemon zest and juice for that zing
- Heavy cream or buttermilk (both work, just don’t swap for skim milk or it gets sad)
- One large egg
- Fresh or frozen raspberries—frozen actually work better sometimes (they won’t smoosh up the dough as much)
I always recommend prepping everything before you start. Nothing’s worse than realizing you’re out of lemons halfway through. Oh, and don’t even bother peeling the zest—grab a microplane or cheese grater, it’s magic.
How To Make Lemon Raspberry Scones In Your Own Kitchen
Don’t let anyone tell you scones are hard. They’re not. Even if your dough looks a tad messy, that’s good—messy is flavor.
First, preheat your oven (mine’s usually at 400°F). Mix all your dry stuff together (flour, sugar, baking powder, salt). Take that cold butter, and cut it into cubes. Toss it in with the flour mix and squish it around until you have pea-sized lumps. You can use your hands, a fork, or even a pastry cutter (if you wanna get fancy—but not needed).
In another bowl, mix up the egg, heavy cream(or buttermilk), lemon juice, and zest. Pour all this into the flour-butter combo. Stir just until it starts to come together—don’t overmix unless you like tough scones (you don’t). Gently fold in those raspberries last. It’ll look a little blotchy—that’s normal.
Dump everything on a floured surface, and form into a disk—about an inch thick. Slice into triangles (like pizza). Line a baking sheet with parchment, set triangles on top.
Bake 18-22 minutes—they should look golden at the edges, but don’t wait til they’re brick-hard. Cool just a bit (who actually waits for “completely cool?” Not me).
Don’t skip the simple glaze: mix a spoonful of lemon juice and powdered sugar, drizzle on top if you’re feeling fancy.
Serving Suggestions for Maximum Enjoyment
- If you’re into breakfast spreads, serve Lemon Raspberry Scones with clotted cream or just plain butter.
- Coffee or tea’s a must. Not even open for debate.
- Warm them up for 10 seconds in the microwave for that bakery-fresh feel.
- Leftovers? Tuck them into lunchboxes for a little midday treat.
Scone Troubles? Here’s How to Dodge the Usual Disasters
I’ve botched plenty of batches, so you don’t have to. Let’s keep it honest—sometimes they spread like pancakes or turn out rock-hard. Solution? Make sure your butter is cold, don’t overwork the dough, and bake them on the higher rack. Oh, and if the dough looks dry, add a splash more cream. Same goes the other way—if it’s sticky, chuck in more flour.
My neighbor once added way too much lemon juice, and the scones were practically lemon bars. Lesson learned: don’t eyeball. Baking is scientific, but not rocket science.
There you go. You’ll have Lemon Raspberry Scones so good your family will wonder what bakery you’re hiding them from. Just remember—messy dough is happy dough, microwaved leftovers are fabulous, and scones will always make your morning just a little bit brighter.

Lemon Raspberry Scones
Delicious scones bursting with tangy lemon and sweet raspberries, perfect for a cozy breakfast.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Total Time: 37 minutes
- Yield: 8 scones 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon zest
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or buttermilk
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup fresh or frozen raspberries
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a large bowl, mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Cut the cold butter into the flour mixture until it resembles pea-sized lumps.
- In another bowl, whisk together the egg, heavy cream (or buttermilk), lemon juice, and lemon zest.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the flour mixture and stir until just combined, then gently fold in the raspberries.
- Transfer the dough to a floured surface and form it into a disk about 1 inch thick.
- Slice the disk into triangles and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes or until golden at the edges. Cool slightly before serving.
- For the glaze, mix a spoonful of lemon juice with powdered sugar and drizzle on top if desired.
Notes
Serve with clotted cream or butter. Best enjoyed warm, reheated in the microwave for a few seconds.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 scone
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 30mg