Blueberry Scones

How to Make Blueberry Scones

Ingredients for Blueberry Scones

• All-purpose flour – measured correctly so you don’t end up with crumbly scones.
• Granulated sugar – adds sweetness and moisture to the blueberry scones.
• Grated lemon zest – lemon and blueberry are an amazing flavor match!
• Salt – helps balance out the sweetness.
• Baking powder and baking soda – helps the scones rise.
• Butter – be sure to use COLD butter, not room temperature! Also, use unsalted butter so you’re in control of how much salt is in your scones.
• Buttermilk – makes insanely tender, tall, and flavorful scones. More on this ingredient below.
• Eggs – 1 egg gets whisked with the wet ingredients and the other is for the egg wash to create beautiful golden brown scones.
• Fresh or frozen blueberries – don’t thaw if using frozen blueberries, otherwise they’ll stain the scones.

Ingredients for the Lemon Blueberry Glaze

• Powdered sugar – different brands of powdered sugar will result in thicker or thinner glaze consistencies. Adjust to the perfect thick but pourable glaze consistency by increasing the powdered sugar or adding an extra splash of lemon juice.
• Freeze-dried blueberries – find these at many grocery stores, including Target, Trader Joe’s, and Whole Foods, near the other dried fruits (like raisins) and nuts.
• Lemon juice – this helps add a bit of fresh tartness that enhances the blueberry flavor. You could also use milk or cream if you prefer.

If you can’t find freeze dried blueberries, simply make a glaze of 1 cup of powdered sugar with 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice or milk, adjusting ingredients to achieve your desired consistency.

Why use buttermilk in scones?

Buttermilk is absolutely the preferred liquid for scones. It helps result in tender, taller scones because of how its acidity reacts with the baking powder and tenderizes the dough overall. It also adds a lovely tang to create more depth of flavor.

I highly advise using real buttermilk instead of a substitute. If you aren’t able to use buttermilk, you can also use heavy cream, just note the final texture will be different. Learn more about buttermilk here.

Overview: how to make Blueberry Scones

1. Combine the dry ingredients: in a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, lemon zest, salt, baking powder and baking soda.
2. Cut in the butter until the butter is the size of large peas: make sure to use cold unsalted butter. You can use a pastry cutter, box grater, or a fork.
3. Whisk the wet ingredients: in a measuring glass, pour in the buttermilk and egg and stir together.
4. Make a well and combine the dry and wet ingredients together: mix until just combined. Don’t overmix to avoid dense scones. Very gently fold in the fresh blueberries or frozen blueberries.
5. Transfer the dough to a floured surface and pat into a rectangle.
6. Divide the dough and cut out wedges: divide into 2 equal parts. Lightly knead each into 3/4-inch thick, 6-inch diameter rounds. Use a sharp knife to cut each round into 8 wedges and place on prepared baking pans.
7. Egg wash and bake! Brush egg wash over the scones and bake until golden brown.
8. Make the blueberry glaze: combine the glaze ingredients and drizzle over each scone.

How do I make my scones more moist?

Buttermilk is a key ingredient to making scones that are flaky yet moist. You also want to be sure the scone dough is still nice and cold when it enters the oven so the edges get slightly browned but the center remains moist and soft. Following the tips below for handling the dough helps keep this blueberry scone recipe super moist as well.

Why are my scones so hard and dry?

Whatever you do, do not overmix the flour mixture or dough or allow it to get too warm. Doing so will result in flatter, tougher, and less flaky scones. My favorite tool for making biscuits or scone dough quickly and easily by hand is this OXO bladed pastry blender.

How do you make scones rise higher and get ultra flaky?

Tip 1: The top tip for flaky scones is that the butter must be COLD from start to when the dough enters the oven. The cold butter melts upon entering the heat of the oven, and the water content in butter evaporates in steam. As the steam escapes, it bursts up and creates that beautiful tall, flaky, fluffy texture. I like to cube then pop it in the freezer before assembling the dough.

Tip 2: LAMINATE your scone dough! A little bit of lamination gets the scones to rise high with tons of flaky layers. Don’t worry, it sounds more complicated than it actually is. And if this seems like way too much work, just skip this step. You’ll still have delicious blueberry scones!

Here’s how to laminate your scone dough:

1. Fold blueberries into dough.
2. Turn the craggly mass of dough out onto your work surface.
3. Shape it into a rectangle.
4. Fold the rectangle horizontally in thirds, like you’re folding a piece of paper to go into an envelope.
5. Flatten it out into a rectangle again.
6. Now fold it in thirds once more, but going the opposite direction. This will also help you to gently ‘knead’ the dough so it comes together into a more cohesive disk without overmixing it. Overmixing leads to rubbery and tough scones and biscuits.

I actually demonstrated this during a live Zoom class exclusively for HTH Students last year. Take a look at Benjamin’s laminated vs. un-laminated blueberry scones:

How to keep butter COLD for scones:

1. Cube the butter and pop it in the freezer first while you prepare your other ingredients and tools. I like to do this especially if it’s a hot day.
2. Use a marble pastry board to help keep the dough cool. If at any point you notice the butter become greasy and melty, pop the dough into the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes before proceeding.
3. You can also pop the baking sheet of shaped unbaked scones in the fridge or freezer while the oven preheats to ensure the butter remains nice and cold.

How to make blueberry scones ahead of time:

The shaped unbaked scones can be covered and refrigerated overnight. Bake from the fridge as the recipe directs.

Can you freeze scones?

Place the unbaked shaped scones in an airtight container and freeze for up to 1 month. Bake from frozen, brushing on egg wash before placing in the oven. Add about 2 minutes to the baking time.