If you’ve been searching for a beautiful, bakery-worthy treat you can whip up in no time, Ridiculously Easy Lemon Raspberry Scones are here to make your day! These scones are bursting with juicy raspberries and zesty lemon, all tenderly held together in a soft, crumbly crumb that’s as good for brunch as it is for snacking with your afternoon tea. The lemon glaze adds a sweet, tangy finish, making every bite a celebration of bright, refreshing flavors. Get ready to fall in love with a recipe that truly lives up to its name.

Ridiculously Easy Lemon Raspberry Scones Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

With just a few everyday ingredients, you’re only minutes away from the tastiest scones you can imagine. Each component plays a key part in creating the irresistible texture and vibrant zing that make Ridiculously Easy Lemon Raspberry Scones so special.

Heavy cream (1 cup): Chilling this creates the dreamy, tender crumb that scone lovers crave.
Butter (8 tablespoons): Melted butter brings in that classic richness and helps create perfect flakiness in the dough.
All purpose flour (2 cups): The backbone of your scones, providing structure and softness.
Sugar (6 tablespoons): Sweetens the dough just enough to balance the tang of the lemon and berries.
Baking powder (1 tablespoon): Lifts the scones, making them dramatically fluffy and light.
Baking soda (½ teaspoon): Works with the lemon juice for extra rise and tenderness.
Salt (½ teaspoon): Just a bit makes sure all the other flavors really pop.
Zest of 1 medium size lemon: Delivers that sunny lemon fragrance and infuses the dough with citrus sparkle.
Fresh raspberries (½ cup): Pops of tart freshness in every bite—break them in half to evenly distribute.
Powdered sugar (2 cups): The secret to a smooth, luscious lemony glaze.
Milk or half and half (3 tablespoons): Mixes with powdered sugar for the ideal, spoonable glaze texture.
Fresh lemon juice (1 tablespoon): Doubles down on that bright lemon flavor in the glaze.

How to Make Ridiculously Easy Lemon Raspberry Scones

Step 1: Get Everything Ready

Start by preheating your oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper—you may need two sheets if you prefer smaller scones. Set an oven rack in the middle position. Pour 1 cup of heavy cream into a measuring cup and pop it into the freezer. Chilling the cream for 10-15 minutes is the secret to achieving scones that are flaky outside but tender within.

Step 2: Melt the Butter

While the cream chills, melt the butter in the microwave (about 1 minute, adding a few extra seconds if needed until fully liquefied). Cover the bowl to avoid splatters, then let the butter cool for a couple of minutes—this helps it blend perfectly into the dough later.

Step 3: Dry Ingredient Magic

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, lemon zest, and salt. This quick blend ensures the leaveners and citrus are evenly dispersed, setting the stage for scones that rise sky-high and taste deliciously lemony throughout.

Step 4: Make the Cream-Butter Mix

Once your cream is nicely chilled, pour it into a bowl with the cooled, melted butter. Stir with a fork; you’ll notice tiny pockets of butter clumping together. This textured mixture is what creates those irresistible, buttery layers in your Ridiculously Easy Lemon Raspberry Scones.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry

Pour the butter-and-cream blend into the bowl of dry ingredients. Gently stir with a rubber spatula just until no obvious streaks of flour remain; the dough will look more like thick cookie dough than a classic batter, and that’s exactly what you want. Try not to overmix—the goal is a tender crumb, not tough scones!

Step 6: Add the Raspberries

Here comes the fun part: break the raspberries in half over the dough and scatter them evenly. Give the batter a gentle turn or two with your spatula, just enough to dot the dough with berry streaks. Too much stirring and you’ll break up the berries too much, so keep it minimal.

Step 7: Shape the Scones

Spritz a large cookie scoop or spoon with nonstick spray, then scoop the dough into generous mounds on your prepared baking sheet. Nestle a raspberry or two into each mound if any are missing. Remember to leave space between them so each scone can expand into golden perfection as they bake.

Step 8: Chill Before Baking

Slide the tray into your fridge for 15-60 minutes—chilling is your insurance policy for perfectly risen, bakery-style Ridiculously Easy Lemon Raspberry Scones. If fridge space is tight, chill them close together on one sheet, then space them out before heading into the oven.

Step 9: Time to Bake

Place the scones on the middle rack and bake for 18-22 minutes. They’re ready when their tops are lightly golden and fragrant. Transfer the scones to a wire rack to cool, letting that incredible aroma fill your kitchen.

Step 10: Lemon Glaze That Wows

While the scones cool ever so slightly, whip up your glaze. Whisk together powdered sugar, milk (or half and half), and lemon juice until smooth and thick, but pourable. Place a tray or foil under your rack to catch drips, then drizzle or spoon the glaze generously over each scone. Let the glaze set for at least 15 minutes if you can resist digging in right away!

How to Serve Ridiculously Easy Lemon Raspberry Scones

Garnishes

Add an extra flourish by topping each scone with a fine sprinkle of fresh lemon zest or a few extra raspberry halves after glazing. A dusting of powdered sugar or even edible flowers will instantly elevate the look for a special brunch.

Side Dishes

These Ridiculously Easy Lemon Raspberry Scones pair perfectly with softly whipped cream, tangy lemon curd, or a bowl of fresh fruit. If you’re serving brunch, they’re fantastic alongside scrambled eggs or a platter of smoked salmon and capers for a sweet-savory spread.

Creative Ways to Present

Arrange the scones in a pretty basket lined with parchment, or atop a tiered cake stand for an afternoon tea vibe. For a twist, slice each scone and fill with sweetened mascarpone or clotted cream for a show-stopping treat that’s almost like a dessert sandwich!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled and glazed, Ridiculously Easy Lemon Raspberry Scones keep beautifully in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To prevent sogginess, place a paper towel underneath to absorb extra moisture.

Freezing

For longer storage, freeze unglazed scones by wrapping each one individually in waxed paper and sealing in a freezer bag. They’ll stay fresh for up to 2 months. Glaze them after thawing for best results—the icing goes on smoothly and tastes like you just baked them!

Reheating

To recapture that fresh-from-the-oven magic, warm scones in a 300-degree oven for 5-8 minutes. If they’re already glazed, tent loosely with foil so the icing doesn’t melt or burn.

FAQs

Can I use frozen raspberries instead of fresh?

Yes! Just keep them frozen until you add them to the dough to minimize color bleeding. You might end up with a slightly deeper pink swirl, but the flavor will still be wonderful.

Do I have to chill the dough before baking?

Chilling isn’t strictly required, but it really does make a difference! It keeps the butter cold, which creates fluffier, more layered Ridiculously Easy Lemon Raspberry Scones, and helps set their shape so they don’t spread too much while baking.

Can I make mini scones instead of large ones?

Definitely! Just use a smaller scoop to portion the dough and reduce the baking time by a few minutes. Watch for light golden edges—they’ll be ready quicker than larger scones.

What’s the best way to zest a lemon?

A microplane grater or fine zester works best for fluffy, flavorful zest. Just make sure you only take the yellow part, not the bitter white pith underneath, for a clean, bright citrus flavor.

Can I swap out raspberries for another fruit?

Absolutely. Blackberries or blueberries work beautifully, and you can even try chopped strawberries in season. Just keep in mind that juicier fruits may make the dough a bit wetter, so adjust as needed.

Final Thoughts

Once you taste these Ridiculously Easy Lemon Raspberry Scones, you’ll understand why I make them again and again for friends, family, and those moments when only something freshly baked will do. They’re delightfully simple but feel truly special, with every bite delivering bright citrus, tender crumb, and bursts of raspberry. I can’t wait for you to try them and see how easy bakery-quality baking at home can be!