There's something magical about the aroma of freshly baked scones wafting through your kitchen. These Lemonade Scones Recipe are a delightful twist on the classic recipe, using a surprising ingredient that guarantees perfectly light and fluffy results every time. Whether you're planning an afternoon tea or craving a sweet breakfast treat, these scones come together in just 30 minutes and require only a handful of ingredients.
Why You'll Love These Lemonade Scones Recipe
These Australian-inspired scones have become increasingly popular, and for good reason. The carbonation from the lemonade creates tiny air pockets that make these scones incredibly light and fluffy – a technique that's both clever and foolproof. Perfect for both novice bakers and seasoned pros, these scones are ideal for weekend brunches, afternoon teas, or any time you want to impress guests with minimal effort.
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Lemonade Scones Recipe Ingredients
the Scones:
- self-raising flour, plus extra for dusting
- heavy cream (also known as thickened cream)
- lemonade (Sprite or 7-Up work perfectly)
- salt
- caster sugar
Serving:
- Strawberry jam
- Whipped cream or clotted cream
- Fresh berries (optional)
Instructions
Preparing Your Workspace
- Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F).
- Line a large baking tray with parchment paper.
- Lightly dust your work surface with flour.
Making the Dough
- Sift the self-raising flour and salt into a large mixing bowl.
- Create a well in the center of the flour mixture.
- Pour in the cold cream and lemonade.
- Gently fold the ingredients together using a butter knife, being careful not to overmix. The dough should be soft and slightly sticky.
Shaping the Scones
- Turn the dough onto your floured surface.
- Gently pat or roll the dough to about 2cm thickness.
- Using your pastry cutter, cut out rounds by pressing straight down (avoid twisting the cutter).
- Place the scones close together on your prepared baking tray.
- Gather remaining dough, gently reform, and cut additional scones.
Baking
- Brush the tops lightly with a little extra cream.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown on top.
- Cover with a clean tea towel when removed from the oven to keep the scones soft.
Hints and Tips
The secret to perfect Lemonade Scones lies in the handling of the dough. Handle it as little as possible to keep the scones light and fluffy. The carbonation from the lemonade acts as a natural leavening agent, helping create that perfect texture we all love in a good scone.
Dietary Benefits & Serving Suggestions
While these scones are a treat rather than a health food, they can be part of a balanced diet when enjoyed in moderation. Serve them warm with your favorite toppings for the ultimate experience. They pair beautifully with:
- Traditional: Strawberry jam and whipped cream
- Seasonal: Fresh berries and honey
- Savory option: Replace sugar with herbs and serve with butter
Lemonade Scones Recipe Variations
- Dairy-free version: Use coconut cream and dairy-free lemonade
- Gluten-free option: Substitute with gluten-free self-raising flour blend
- Flavor variations: Add vanilla extract, lemon zest, or dried fruit
- Mini scones: Use a smaller cutter for bite-sized versions
Storage Instructions
- Room temperature: Best enjoyed fresh, within 24 hours
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days
- Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container
- Reheating: Warm in the oven at 160°C for 5 minutes
Equipment For Lemonade Scones Recipe
- Large mixing bowl
- Pastry cutter or round cookie cutter (7cm diameter)
- Baking tray
- Pastry brush
- Clean tea towel
- Rolling pin (optional)
Top Tip
The key to achieving the fluffiest Lemonade Scones is to use cold ingredients straight from the fridge and work quickly. This helps create those wonderful layers and ensures your scones rise beautifully in the oven.
FAQ
What is the secret of making good scones?
The key secrets to perfect scones are using very cold butter, minimal dough handling, and high baking temperature (400-425°F). Always keep ingredients cold, handle dough as little as possible to maintain tenderness, and avoid twisting the cutter when shaping scones. Resting the dough in the refrigerator for 15-30 minutes before baking ensures even rising and flaky texture.
What is the basic difference between a scone and a biscuit?
The main difference between scones and biscuits lies in their ingredients and texture. Scones contain eggs and are slightly sweeter, resulting in a denser, cake-like texture. Biscuits have more butter layers, making them flakier, and typically don't include eggs. Scones originated in Britain while biscuits are American Southern classics.
What to avoid when making scones?
When making scones, avoid overworking the dough as this develops gluten, resulting in tough scones. Don't use warm ingredients, skip the resting time, or open the oven while baking. Common mistakes include rolling dough too thin, using old raising agents, and adding too much liquid. These errors can prevent your scones from rising properly.
Is heavy cream or buttermilk better for scones?
Both heavy cream and buttermilk create excellent scones with different results. Heavy cream produces richer, more tender scones due to higher fat content. Buttermilk makes lighter, tangier scones with a softer crumb and activates leavening agents better through its acidity. Choose based on whether you prefer richer (cream) or lighter (buttermilk) scones.
How Did Your Lemonade Scones Recipe Turn Out?
Ready to savor something new? This recipe is sure to impress with its perfect balance of light, fluffy texture and subtle citrus sweetness, creating scones that are refreshingly different from traditional versions. If you're a fan of easy baking treats, be sure to try our Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies Recipe next or Breakfast Sliders Recipe another easy-to-make yet delicious breakfast!
Did you make this Lemonade Scones Recipe? We'd love to hear about your experience! Leave a star rating and share your thoughts in the comments. Did you try any creative twists or use any unique ingredients? Maybe you added fresh lemon zest or tried a different citrus soda?
Your feedback not only helps others but also contributes to our growing community of home cooks. Don't forget to share a photo of your culinary creation! We love seeing how these light and airy scones turn out in your kitchen.
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Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Lemonade Scones Recipe
Lemonade Scones Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Large mixing bowl For mixing ingredients
- 1 Pastry cutter or round cookie cutter (7cm diameter) For cutting scone shapes
- 1 Baking tray Lined with parchment paper
- 1 Pastry brush For brushing cream on scones
- 1 Clean tea towel To cover scones after baking
- 1 Rolling pin (optional) For flattening dough
- 1 Sifter For sifting flour and salt
- 1 Butter knife For folding dough
Ingredients
- 3 cups self-raising flour plus extra for dusting
- 1 cup heavy cream cold
- 1 cup lemonade cold (Sprite or 7-Up)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoon caster sugar optional for sweetness
- Strawberry jam for serving
- Whipped cream or clotted cream for serving
- Fresh berries optional for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F).
- Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- Lightly dust work surface with flour.
- Sift flour and salt into a mixing bowl.
- Create a well in the center.
- Pour in cold cream and lemonade.
- Gently fold with a butter knife.
- Turn dough onto floured surface.
- Pat or roll dough to 2cm thickness.
- Cut rounds using a pastry cutter.
- Place scones close together on tray.
- Brush tops with extra cream.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden.
- Cover with a tea towel to keep soft.
Notes
- Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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