Easy Raspberry Scones with Lemon-Vanilla Icing
This is my favorite raspberry scones recipe with sweet raspberries, a hint of vanilla, and a drizzle of lemon icing. They’re flavorful, crisp on the outside yet still tender and moist in the center, made with simple ingredients, and perfect for breakfast or brunch!
For a long time I thought of “scones” as a dirty word. A kind of sad, runner up to more delectable breakfast treats, like fruit-laden muffins or gooey cinnamon rolls or buttery coffee cakes. My experience with scones was all too often hard and dry and bland …akin to what I imagine Hagrid’s rock cakes must be like.
However, after lots of recipe testing, they’ve become one of my favorite pastries to make from scratch, and are now in my vocabulary as something much different:
Think a tender, biscuit-like center that’s soft and flaky, and studded with juicy raspberries. A barely crisp crust topped with the sweet crunch of raw sugar. And a quick drizzle of lemon-kissed vanilla icing that adds a welcome tartness to these sweet, buttery, flavorful – and now definitively indulgent – breakfast treats.
These raspberry scones are:
- quick and simple
- sweet, but not too sweet
- packed with berry flavor
- made with simple ingredients (in just one bowl!)
- crisp and crumbly on the outside
- tender and flaky in the center
- just the right amount of buttery
- topped with lemon icing
- easily adaptable
- massive! (this recipe makes six generously large scones)
… and basically the perfect homemade summer breakfast!
My version of scones are a sweetened up version of traditional baking powder biscuits, in this case rippled with swirls of raspberry. They’re light and flaky, with lots of fruit throughout, tons of buttery flavor, and rustic, craggly tops that dimple under a sweet glaze.
One thing I love about this recipe is that it doesn’t require specialty ingredients. All of these things are in my fridge and pantry just about all the time. No special trip to the store required for a buttermilk carton that I’ll only need a third of.
The ingredients you’ll need to make basic scones:
- flour: Nothing fancy, just regular all-purpose flour. Be sure to spoon and level when you measure, or use a kitchen scale.
- sugar: my recipe calls for 1/3 cup of granulated sugar, so they aren’t overly sweet. The scones get much of their sweetness from peak-season fruit and the drizzle of icing on top. I also like to top each scone with a generous sprinkle of Turbinado or Demerara sugar right before baking for an extra sweet crunch and some sparkle.
- baking powder: one big tablespoon will give the scones lots of lift. Always check your expiration date (leavening should be used within about 6 months).
- salt: Don’t skip this step! I use Diamond Crystal kosher salt in most of my baking.
- butter: Start with cold butter, which will expand as it bakes, adding lift and flaky layers to the dough.
- whole milk: many scone recipes call for heavy cream or buttermilk – but I love the flavor and texture in these scones just as much (and appreciate not having to make an extra run to the grocery store). Be sure your milk is cold before mixing!
- vanilla: always use the real stuff, just a splash of pure vanilla extract will really boost the flavor.
Find all of the exact measurements and recipe instructions below.
At their core, scones are really easy to make. My recipe takes just one bowl and a whopping eight basic ingredients to make. But, there are some tricks and techniques that ensure you end up with scones that are light, tender, and delicious – no boring, hard-as-a-rock scones here!
Tips for making homemade scones:
- Start with really cold butter, and work quickly as you cut it into the dry ingredients. Pockets of cold butter will expand in the heat of the hot oven, producing super flaky and delicious scones.
- Leave some bigger pieces of butter scattered throughout the dough. Once the butter is worked in, your dough will be shaggy and sandy.
- Don’t overmix. Too much mixing will overdevelop the gluten in the flour, producing a harder, tougher scone. We want the opposite, so once I add the milk, I stir the dough with a spatula just enough to combine, and then switch to using my hands to quickly knead the ingredients together and gently shape the dough into a disk. It’s okay if it seems too crumbly at first; it will all come together.
- Before baking, brush the tops of the scones with milk, and sprinkle with coarse sugar for a crisp, sparkly crust.
- When using delicate fruit like raspberries, frozen works best. Even with a gentle hand, I find that fresh raspberries get too smashed and sticky when mixing into the dough. Using frozen berries solves this problem, helps keep the dough cold, and will taste just as great when they come out of the oven.
- If it’s an extra hot day, pop the scones in the fridge to chill for 10-15 minutes before baking. This will ensure they’ll hold their shape without spreading in the oven. But remember, even a wonky scone is delicious!
- Don’t be afraid to experiment with flavors or extra mix-ins! Try adding chocolate chips, a handful of nuts, or swapping in your favorite seasonal fruit.
And don’t forget to add a glaze! I like to do this while the scones are still warm so it sinks delectably into all the little craggy bits. Happy baking!!
PrintEasy Raspberry Scones
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 25
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 Large Scones 1x
- Category: baking, breakfast, dessert
- Method: baking
- Cuisine: american
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This is my favorite scone recipe with sweet raspberries, a hint of vanilla, and a drizzle of lemon icing. They’re flavorful, crisp on the outside yet still tender and moist in the center, made with simple ingredients in just one bowl, and perfect for breakfast or brunch!
Ingredients
Raspberry Scones:
- 3 cups (360g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 1/3 cup (66g) granulated sugar
- 1 Tbsp baking powder
- 1 tsp Kosher salt
- 12 Tbsp (1–1/2 sticks or 170g) cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
- 3/4 cup (180g) whole milk, plus more for baking
- 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup (3oz) raspberries ¹
- optional: coarse sanding sugar (Demerara, Turbinado etc.), for topping
Lemon Vanilla Icing:
- 1 cup (120g) confectioners (powdered) sugar
- 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
Instructions
Make the scones:
- Preheat the oven to 375℉. Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt until combined. Use a pastry blender to incorporate the butter into the dry ingredients, until a shaggy, sandy mixture forms, with butter pieces about the size of large peas.
- Drizzle the milk and vanilla over the crumbs, and stir with a spatula until mostly combined.
- When the crumbs are mostly moistened, switch to using your hands, and fold in the frozen berries. Work quickly, and knead, firmly but gently, until all of the flour is combined, and the dough holds together in a large mound.
- Transfer to a lightly-floured work surface, and shape the dough into a flat, round disk, about 1-1/2 inches thick. It does not have to be perfect! Use a bench scraper or sharp knife to cut the dough into 6 wedges.
- Transfer the scones to the prepared sheet pan, leaving space between them. Lightly brush the tops of the scones with milk, and sprinkle with sanding sugar.
- Bake for 20-30 minutes, until the scones are golden, gently puffed, and cooked through.
Make the icing:
- In a small bowl, stir together the powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth.
- Stir in the vanilla. Add a splash or two of milk as needed.
- While the scones are still warm, drizzle each with the icing, then place on a baking rack to set. Enjoy!
Notes
¹ For delicate fruit like raspberries, frozen works best. They’ll hold their shape and keep the dough cold, which ensures tender, flaky scones. I like to break the frozen whole raspberries into a few pieces before measuring to get more raspberry flavor throughout the dough.
Keywords: easy raspberry scones, berry scone, lemon, egg free, dessert, baking, vanilla icing, berries, biscuit, breakfast, one bowl
These are absolutely amazing! I made them for my significant other’s family and they loved them. I would like to add though that you should really monitor them while baking. I found that every time that I made them they were done at different times. Really recommend <3
Thanks so much, Carly!!
literally so good, best scones i’ve made by far!! they tasted super fresh and i would definitely recommend for anyone wanting to make scones. super easy too!
★★★★★
So happy you loved the recipe! Thanks so much, Madi!!
I just finished making these and oh my god they are SO good. I didn’t have fozen berries so I just put the fresh ones in the freezer while I was prepping all the other ingredients and it worked just fine. I only had skim milk & half & half, no whole milk so I used half of each. Scones are so good I want to eat a second one haha! Thanks for the recipe!
★★★★★
Yay!! Thanks so much, Marisa!
Dear Laura,
Thank you for the recipe! It looks amazing and I’m planning to make it this weekend. Just one question: can I use normal vanilla powder instead of vanilla extract? And if yes, what would the amounts be?
Hi, Isadora! Yes, you can use vanilla powder (I assume you just mean pure ground vanilla bean), but it’s more concentrated so you’ll probably only need 1/8 or 1/4 tsp. Happy baking!!
OMG, this recipe is A-MA-ZING! I just did it exactly like the instructions and even though they were my first scones ever, they came out perfectly! The only thing i changed slightly was the amount of icing: I used just half of it, since I always prefer a bit less sweet, and I felt it was still great. Actually, even without the icing, I think I would love it! Thanks so much for sharing this recipe and for answering my question about the vanilla extract (which I ended up using anyway). I’m definitely coming back to your blog for more recipes! 🙂
★★★★★
Thanks so much, Isadora!! So happy you loved them!
Made them, but since I had buttermilk I used that (for the icing as well + i added a little raspberry coulis I had made a while ago and had kept in the freezer) this is absolutely delicious! Eating one right now…i know i’m gonna lick the plate afterwards XD haha Thank you!
★★★★★
Thanks so much, Caroline!! 🙂
Made these twice now! But second time could not get dough into a good mound. Very crumby… they are in the oven now. Hoping all comes together in the baking process. Any thoughts on why it wouldn’t combine? About 80 percent did combine…
Hi Deirdre! Could you have inadvertently been more heavy-handed with the flour the second time? Also, temperature and humidity can play a role. It should be crumbly, but you can always add a splash of extra milk if the dough doesn’t seem to be coming together. That way you don’t end up overworking the dough trying to combine (since cold, shaggy dough with noticeable bits of butter = flaky, tender scones). Hope that helps and that they still tasted delish 🙂
I read this receipe after seeing the gorgeous photos and it sounded great! I got as far as adding the raspberries and suddenly the dough was very wet. I managed to get the wedges on to the parchement paper and popped the tray in the fridge to try harden them up for a few minutes. Fingers crossed the taste ok!
Hi, Siobhan! Yes, raspberries can be a little bit challenging to mix in! Did you use frozen or fresh? I find frozen berries is much easier. Hope you enjoyed after baking!
I just made these this morning….my first time ever making scones. I had to try twice and unfortunately both batches came out perfect on the outside but undercooked on the inside. Any suggestions on what I may be doing wrong?
Hi, Nancy! I’m sorry to hear that! My first thought is that your oven is running hot. Double checking with an oven thermometer that it’s actually the temp it should is important. You can also try shaping the scones a little bit flatter to allow the centers to cook a little faster. And, if you notice them browning too quickly, you can cover with foil for the last bit of baking. Hope that helps!
Quick, easy and absolutely delicious. As other reviewers said, they were crisp on the outside and soft on the inside with subtle flavors throughout. I used whole wheat flour and heavy cream and had to add about an additional TBL of cream to get the dough to hold together. I also threw in a quarter cup of mini chocolate chips. Thumbs up from my husband, too. Wonderful! Thank you!
★★★★★
Thanks so much, Jackie! So glad to hear they worked with the whole wheat flour, and YUM to the chocolate chips 🙂
I just made this recipe on a whim with fresh blackberries I had bought this morning at the market — I just threw them in the freezer for about 45 minutes while I prepped the dough and the oven heated, and they worked very well. OMGOSH!! I am in love with scones after having these, and don’t think I can buy them in a bakery anymore! Thank you so much for this delicious recipe. My husband and brother in law asked if I could make these a staple in my baking routine, so I think it’s safe to say they’re a hit (:
★★★★★
Yay!! What a wonderful compliment, thank you!! SO happy everyone enjoyed them 🙂
Hi I love this!! Made it (without the icing due to time limit) and gave some out to family and my roommate. They all loved. My 5 year old niece who is the pickiest eater even enoyed it and had a whole huge piece!
★★★★★
So happy to hear that! Thanks, Samantha!!
I followed this recipe exactly and these scones are amazing. So delicious, easy, perfect in every way. The only problem is that every time I pass the kitchen I grab another little piece and then wanting even more. They are that good!!!
★★★★★
Thank you, so much, Heather!! I’m thrilled to hear that! And also totally guilty of the same thing… 😉
Easy recipe for summertime! I only had 1/2 TBSP of baking powder, so I added 1/4 tsp of baking powder. I also didn’t have quite enough butter, so I used a bit of cream cheese to get to the required amount of fat. I used fresh raspberries, which made the dough very wet. But…it all worked like magic.
Thanks so much, Emily! Happy to hear the recipe was so flexible!! 🙂
These were amazing! My friend and I baked them together and we ate 4 between us🤤🤤
★★★★★
I love them. A bonus to have all ingredients on hand. I picked the raspberries in the morning from my backyard and made them as soon as I came in. No freezing but today I will try the suggestion of placing them in there while assembling. I like my scones crunchy so i shut the oven off and let them dry out a little more. PERFECT!
★★★★★
Thanks, Dawn! Love that you used homegrown berries!!
Thanks, Annika! I’m always guilty of that too 🙂
These were delicious! Didn’t glaze them and the scones were plenty sweet and super fresh tasting. We had fresh raspberries not yet frozen and didn’t want to wait to make the scones so I threw the berries in the freezer at the start of making this recipe. They weren’t frozen but being fairly cold did help and the recipe still turned out great. So don’t be scared off if you just want to use the berries fresh!
★★★★★
Thank you so much, Gayle!!
I’ve made these twice now and love the flavors. I did modify it slightly. I used about 2 cups of whipping cream instead of butter and milk. I have found with scones that whipping cream adds just the right texture to the scones and its the same ingredients just in a different form. I also did a quick smash of the raspberries while still frozen before mixing them in the dough. I also threw in about 1/2 cup of white chocolate chips for good measure!
★★★★★
Thanks, Peggy!!
I have made these twice with frozen raspberries from last season. They are easy to make and a hit with my family and friends.
Thanks so much, Angie!!
I made this recipe and my husband said they were the best scones he’s ever had! I used 10% cream instead of milk and I had to use 1 full cup I stead of 3/4.
I cut the round disk in 8 to make them slightly smaller. Absolutely delicious!!!
★★★★★
This is easy to follow and quick. I had a lot of trouble with adding the frozen berries to the dough, so they look pretty messy, but taste pretty good. Thanks for the recipe!
★★★★
These look fabulous! I can’t wait to try them!
And I love all the explanations you gave for why you do what you do with the recipe. Quite instructive!
★★★★★