If you’re craving a delightful treat that perfectly balances tender crumb with bursts of fresh fruit, this Strawberry Scones Recipe is exactly what you need. Imagine biting into a flaky, buttery scone dotted with juicy strawberries and finished with a light lemon-vanilla glaze that adds just the right touch of sweetness. These scones are an absolute joy to make and share, whether you’re planning a weekend brunch or an indulgent afternoon tea. Trust me, once you try this Strawberry Scones Recipe, it will become a beloved favorite in your baking repertoire.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the quality of the ingredients. Each component plays a vital role: the flour provides structure, butter lends flakiness and richness, and fresh strawberries offer that burst of juicy sweetness and lovely color. Together, they create a harmony that makes these scones irresistible.
- All-purpose flour (2 1/2 cups): The foundation of your scones, giving them structure and a tender crumb.
- Granulated sugar (1/4 cup): Adds just enough sweetness to balance the tartness of the strawberries.
- Baking powder (2 1/2 tsp): Your secret to perfectly risen, fluffy scones every time.
- Salt (1/2 tsp): Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness beautifully.
- Unsalted butter (1/2 cup, cold cubed): Cold butter creates those lovely little pockets of flakiness.
- Fresh strawberries (1 cup, diced): The star ingredient—ripe, juicy, and bursting with freshness.
- Heavy cream (1/2 cup, plus extra for brushing): Gives the dough richness and a beautiful golden finish when brushed on top.
- Large egg (1): Adds moisture and helps bind everything together for a tender texture.
- Vanilla extract (1 tsp): Infuses a warm, comforting aroma and subtle sweetness.
- Lemon zest (1 tbsp, optional): Adds a bright, zesty note to lift the flavors.
- Powdered sugar (1/2 cup): For the glaze—a sweet, delicate topping that makes these scones extra special.
- Fresh lemon juice or milk (1 tbsp): Balances the glaze with a touch of acidity or creaminess.
- Vanilla extract (1/2 tsp for glaze): Rounds out the glaze with a lovely vanilla flavor.
How to Make Strawberry Scones Recipe
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet
Start by heating your oven to a cozy 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper—it makes cleanup a breeze and prevents the scones from sticking, ensuring they bake evenly and look perfect.
Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. This not only evenly distributes the leavening agent but also ensures your scones have a balanced flavor base.
Step 3: Cut in the Butter
Add the cold, cubed butter to your dry mix. Using a pastry cutter or your fingertips, work the butter into the flour until you see coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces of butter. This step is crucial—it’s these butter bits that melt in the oven and create those flaky layers everyone adores.
Step 4: Fold in the Strawberries
Gently fold the diced strawberries into the mixture. Be careful here; you want the berries evenly distributed without bruising them, so the dough stays pretty and fresh-looking.
Step 5: Mix Your Wet Ingredients
Whisk together the heavy cream, egg, and vanilla extract in a separate bowl. Pour this wet mix into the dry ingredients and stir just until combined. Over-mixing can make the scones tough, so handle the dough with love and restraint.
Step 6: Shape and Cut the Dough
Tip the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead it a couple of times to bring it together. Press it into a round disk about 1 inch thick, then slice it into 8 wedges using a sharp knife. Arrange them on your prepared baking sheet, making sure there’s a small gap between each.
Step 7: Brush with Cream and Bake
Lightly brush the tops of your scones with a bit of heavy cream. This step helps them develop a golden, glossy finish as they bake. Pop them into the oven for 18-22 minutes until they’re beautifully golden brown on top. Once baked, transfer the scones to a wire rack to cool slightly.
Step 8: Prepare and Drizzle the Glaze (Optional)
For an optional but utterly delightful touch, whisk powdered sugar, lemon juice (or milk), and vanilla extract together until you have a smooth glaze. Drizzle this over the warm (but not hot) scones—this glaze adds the perfect light sweetness and hints of citrus to complement the strawberries.
How to Serve Strawberry Scones Recipe
Garnishes
These scones are stunning on their own, but why not elevate their presentation? A sprinkle of powdered sugar or a few fresh strawberry slices on top adds visual charm and extra flavor points.
Side Dishes
Pair your scones with a dollop of clotted cream or whipped cream for that classic experience. Freshly brewed tea, coffee, or a glass of cold milk makes the perfect drink to accompany these sweet delights.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the scones with a selection of fruit jams or a lemon curd to brighten the palate. You can also split them open and add cream cheese or mascarpone for a luscious bite that will impress anyone at your table.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with leftovers (which is rare because these scones tend to disappear quickly), keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days to maintain their freshness and softness.
Freezing
These scones freeze beautifully. Wrap each scone tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag. They will keep for up to 3 months, making them a fantastic make-ahead option for busy days.
Reheating
To enjoy frozen or leftover scones, warm them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes. This method restores their flaky texture and fresh-from-the-oven warmth better than a microwave.
FAQs
Can I use frozen strawberries for this Strawberry Scones Recipe?
While fresh strawberries are ideal for maintaining texture and color, you can use frozen strawberries if fresh aren’t available. Make sure to thaw and drain them well to prevent excess moisture from making your dough too wet.
Is it okay to substitute the heavy cream?
If you don’t have heavy cream on hand, you can substitute with whole milk or half-and-half, but the scones may be slightly less rich and tender. For best results, stick to heavy cream when possible.
Can I add other fruits or flavorings?
Absolutely! This Strawberry Scones Recipe is versatile. You can swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or even chopped peaches. Adding spices like cinnamon or cardamom also complements the fruit beautifully.
How do I prevent the strawberries from bleeding into the dough?
To minimize color bleeding, gently fold the berries into the dry ingredients just before adding the liquids. Also, avoid overpowering the dough with too many berries; 1 cup is a balanced amount.
What makes these scones different from biscuits?
Scones are typically slightly sweeter and denser than biscuits. This Strawberry Scones Recipe includes sugar and fresh fruit, providing a sweeter, fruitier experience that’s perfect for breakfast or dessert.
Final Thoughts
There’s something incredibly comforting and satisfying about whipping up a batch of homemade scones, especially when they’re bursting with fresh strawberries and a hint of lemon. This Strawberry Scones Recipe is a wonderful blend of textures and flavors that feels just as special on a weekday morning as it does for a lazy weekend brunch. I can’t wait for you to give it a try and share these delightful treats with the people you love.
Print
Strawberry Scones Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in these fluffy, fruity strawberry scones that combine tender all-purpose flour dough with fresh diced strawberries, finished with an optional sweet lemon glaze. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon treat, these scones offer a lightly sweetened, buttery texture with a fresh strawberry burst in every bite.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups All-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup Granulated sugar
- 2 1/2 tsp Baking powder
- 1/2 tsp Salt
Butter and Fruit
- 1/2 cup Unsalted butter (cold, cut into small cubes)
- 1 cup Fresh strawberries (diced)
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Heavy cream (plus extra for brushing)
- 1 Large egg
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp Lemon zest (optional, for extra flavor)
Glaze (Optional)
- 1/2 cup Powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp Fresh lemon juice or milk
- 1/2 tsp Vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and facilitate easy cleanup.
- Prepare the dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and seasoning throughout the flour mixture.
- Cut in the butter: Add cold, cubed unsalted butter to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry cutter or your fingertips, work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized pieces of butter, ensuring flaky layers in the scones.
- Add the strawberries: Gently fold the diced fresh strawberries into the flour and butter mixture, taking care to not crush them to keep bursts of fresh fruit in each bite.
- Mix the wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, large egg, vanilla extract, and optional lemon zest. Pour this wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir gently until combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the dough tender and light.
- Shape the dough: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead a few times to bring it together. Shape the dough into a round disk, about 1-inch thick, to prepare for cutting.
- Cut the scones: Using a sharp knife, slice the dough disk into 8 equal wedges. Arrange the wedges spaced apart on the prepared baking sheet to allow for even baking.
- Brush with cream: Lightly brush the tops of the scones with additional heavy cream to promote browning and add a shiny finish once baked.
- Bake the scones: Bake in the preheated oven for 18-22 minutes or until they turn golden brown on top and a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly on a wire rack.
- Make the glaze (optional): While the scones cool, whisk together powdered sugar, fresh lemon juice or milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle this glaze over the slightly cooled scones for an added touch of sweetness and citrus flavor.
- Serve: Enjoy the scones warm or at room temperature for the best flavor and texture experience.
Notes
- Use cold butter and minimal handling of the dough to achieve tender, flaky scones.
- Handle strawberries gently to avoid bruising and excess moisture in the dough.
- The lemon zest and lemon juice in the glaze add a bright, fresh flavor but can be omitted if preferred.
- Scones are best eaten the same day but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Reheat scones briefly in the oven before serving to refresh their texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Breakfast & Brunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
