Lemon Poppy Seed Scones

Lemon Poppy Seed Scones are easy to make treats that are sure to make you smile all summer long! Scones can be daunting to make for beginning bakers, but these steps are easy to follow and the ingredients are simple as can be. These soft, sweet, and lemony scones are topped with the sweetest lemon glaze that makes every bite better than the last!

Plate of lemon scones with lemon slices.

Lemon Poppy Seed Scones

5 from 2 votes
Print Pin
Author: Kim
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 12 Servings

Ingredients

Dough:

  • ¾ cup buttermilk, cold
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, cold

Lemon Glaze:

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

Instructions
 

For the Dough

  • Preheat the oven to 375℉, and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
  • Add the buttermilk, lemon zest, and lemon juice to a large liquid measuring cup. Stir together, and set aside.
    ¾ cup buttermilk
    1 tablespoon lemon zest
    3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
    Buttermilk, lemon zest, and lemon juice in a measuring cup.
  • Whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder, poppy seeds, and salt together in a large mixing bowl.
    2 cups all-purpose flour
    ¼ cup granulated sugar
    1 tablespoon baking powder
    1 tablespoon poppy seeds
    ½ teaspoon salt
    Flour, sugar, baking powder, poppy seeds, and salt in a bowl.
  • Grate the butter using the small side of a hand grater or box grater, or cut it into small cubes. Add it to the mixing bowl, and use your hands to incorporate the butter into the flour mixture until small pieces form.
    ½ cup unsalted butter
    Grated butter on top of flour scone ingredients.
  • Pour in the buttermilk mixture, and stir just until the dough comes together. Make sure not to over mix.
    Scone batter stirred together in a bowl.
  • Divide the dough in half, and turn it out onto a floured surface. Form the dough into 2 discs about 1-inch thick.
    Scone batter shaped in a circle.
  • Cut each disc into 6 triangle-shaped pieces, and place the pieces on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 14-16 minutes or until the edges are beginning to turn light brown.
    Unbaked scones on a sheet pan.

For the Glaze

  • Meanwhile, make the lemon glaze. Place the powdered sugar in a mixing bowl, and add 1-2 tablespoons of lemon juice to start. Whisk together until desired consistency is reached. Add additional lemon juice if desired.
    1 cup powdered sugar
    2 to 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
    Top down view of powdered sugar and lemon juice.
  • Transfer the baked scones to a wire rack and let them cool completely. Once they’ve cooled, top with lemon glaze.
    Top down view of scones on a wire rack.
  • Enjoy! See post below for storage options and tips.

Suggested Equipment

Notes

*The calories listed are an approximation based on the ingredients in the recipe card and a serving size of 1 scone. Actual calories will vary.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sconeCalories: 166kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 3gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 22mgSodium: 220mgPotassium: 35mgFiber: 2gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 262IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 104mgIron: 1mg
Don’t Lose This Recipe!Save it on Pinterest! Follow us @morethanmeatandpotatoes!
Four lemon scones stacked.

Lemon Poppy Seed Scones

While scones are traditionally considered a breakfast item, we’d be lying if we said we didn’t sneak bites of scones all day long! They’re too good to limit to just one time of day – especially these Lemon Poppy Seed Scones.

The poppy seeds provide the best added crunch that’s delicate, but still delightfully present. Oh, and the lemon flavor? It’s positively dreamy, especially during the summer months.

Serve these homemade Lemon Poppy Seed Scones at your next brunch gathering or picnic in the park for a real treat!

We love cooking with lemon during the spring and summertime! When we’re not making sweet scones, we love using lemon in savory dishes like Lemon Chicken and Lemon Linguine.

Kim’s Tips

Tips
  • Serving a crowd? This recipe can be doubled to yield 24 scones.
  • The zest and juice needed for the dough can come from the same lemon. Zest the lemon first, then cut it in half and juice it into a small bowl or cup. Take care to prevent the lemon seeds from being added. An additional lemon will be needed to get the juice for the lemon glaze.
  • A lemon will yield more juice by microwaving it for 10-15 seconds, then applying pressure with your hand while rolling it on the counter.
  • Alternatively, the butter can be cut into the dough by using a pastry blender or 2 forks. For this method, cut the butter into flour until small pieces about the size of peas are formed. Make sure it’s COLD!
  • Scones can be garnished with a sprinkle of poppy seeds and fresh lemon zest if desired.
Bite taken out of a lemon scone.

Storing and Reheating

Storage: Scones may be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for a day or two, but they keep best in a covered container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Keep in mind that it’s best to glaze the scones just before serving. 

Reheating: Reheat unglazed scones on a baking sheet at 350℉ for 6-8 minutes or in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.

Freezing: Scones may be frozen for up to 3 months, tightly wrapped, in an airtight freezer storage bag.

Like this recipe?

We’d love it if you would leave a 5 Star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating below and follow us on Facebook and Pinterest!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating