Small Batch Meyer Lemon Scones for two.
I've created a little lemon monster in my house, and I'm here to warn you. She's 2 years old, her name is Camille, and she's got lemon seeds in her pockets to prove it.
If you cross her, toss a lemon near her, and run the opposite direction. If you don't get away fast, you'll feel the full effect of the terrible twos!
I've always been a lemon dessert lover (more than chocolate, thank you and please close the door on your way out). I'll take a lemon bars over brownies, lemon pie before apple pie, and Meyer lemons over regular lemons. My daughter has always wanted to eat whatever I'm eating, and so she has become a lemon lover, too.
When I spied a bag of this year's Meyer lemon crop, I stocked up. I used to have a Meyer lemon tree in my front yard in California, and I miss it so much! Yes, I still think about that tree!
Camille was asking for a lemon slice as I was making these small batch Meyer lemon scones, and I handed it to her. I didn't expect her to eat the entire thing, skin and all. Yikes.
Then, she ate a scone right when it came out of the oven, too. She's hooked.
I haven't made a scone recipe for you since 2013 (and it was these Black Pepper Scones with Maple Glaze), and really, that scone recipe is so solid, you hardly need another one. My scone recipes are made with heavy cream (as all scone recipes should be), has a very tender crumb, and is subtly sweet. One-quarter cup of sugar total for four scones is the perfect amount of sweetness.
The lemon glaze on top is entirely optional; I admit I make these without the glaze most of the time. Since you only need the Meyer lemon zest, I squeeze the rest of juice into a container and make lemonade for Camille with it. Meyer lemons are sweeter than regular lemons (they're a cross between a regular lemon and mandarin orange), I can use less sugar when making lemonade. And anything with less sugar for kids is GREAT in my book.
Lemon Scone ingredients
- Flour. We need 1 ¼ cups of regular, all-purpose flour to make our lemon scones.
- Sugar. Yes, ¼ cup of granulated sugar is the right amount for this recipe. Scones are not overly sweet like a muffin; they are delicately sweet. Do not omit the sugar altogether, however, because the final result will be too tough.
- Salt. Fine, flaky sea salt.
- Baking Soda. One-quarter teaspoon of baking soda.
- Baking Powder. Most of the lift and rise for these scones comes from the baking powder.
- Butter. Half a stick of cold butter, do not soften it. It needs to be cold when we work it into the flour.
- Cream. The moisture for scones comes from heavy cream. This can be double or single cream (if you’re in the UK).
- Egg Yolk. We only need one egg yolk for this recipe; save the egg white for another recipe.
- Lemons. To make 4 scones, we need the zest of two lemons. We’re not actually using any of the lemon juice in the dough--zest only. We will save the lemon juice for the glaze. I use Meyer lemons for this recipe, but regular lemons are totally fine.
- Powdered Sugar. A small amount of powdered sugar to make the lemon glaze for topping the scones when they’re done baking.
How to make Lemon Scones
- Preheat the oven to 400. In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, salt, baking soda, and baking powder.
- Dice the butter and add it to the flour mixture. Work the butter into the flour mixture until it's evenly distributed (and roughly the size of peas). Use two knives, a pastry cutter, or your hands.
- Next, add the heavy cream, egg yolk and lemon zest in a small bowl and whisk together. Pour this on the flour mixture and stir until a shaggy dough forms. Don't overmix, but incorporate things well.
- Scoop the dough out, place it on the baking sheet, and use the warmth of your hands to make it stick together into a circle.
- Slice the dough circle into 4 even pieces. Brush each piece with extra heavy cream.
- Bake for 13-15 minutes, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean and they lightly brown on the edges.
- While the scones bake, whisk together the glaze ingredients. Pour on the scones when they come out of the oven. Serve immediately.
Lemon Scones Recipe variations and substitutions
- Lemon - Use regular or Meyer lemons for this recipe.
- Citrus - You can technically use any type of citrus zest for this recipe, including orange and lime zest.
- Tea - If you want to flavor these with tea, add the tea to the cold heavy cream and let soak overnight for a cold infusion. Then, strain and use the heavy cream in the dough.
Things to know about these small batch Meyer lemon scones:
- These small batch Meyer lemon scones are made with all heavy cream, which is how scones should be made (in my humble opinion), and this makes the scone super flaky!
- There is only ¼ cup total of sugar in the recipe, which makes them slightly sweet. The glaze on top is optional, but delicious.
- You can definitely use regular lemons, or any other kind of citrus. Check the comments for recipe variations made by fellow small-batch bakers.
Ok, I'm sending you off into the weekend armed with a recipe for a small batch of Meyer lemon scones. Get to work, friends!
If you're looking for the mini quarter sheet pan I use when baking a small batch of scones, it's here.
How to store this Recipe for Lemon Scones
The best way to store these scones is at room temperature, especially if they have the sugar glaze on top. They will keep for 1 day at room temperature in an air-tight container. Beyond that, it’s best to store already cooked scones (without the glaze) in the freezer for up to 3 months. Double-wrap them with freezer bags and foil. To defrost, unwrap and leave at room temperature for a few hours. You can also warm them through in a toaster oven.
Another sweet treat idea for breakfast that's perfect for Mother's Day is this sweet bread recipe from Julie Blanner. Customize it however you like!
Small Batch Meyer Lemon Scones for Two. Makes 4 small scones! ***If you top the scones with extra lemon slices before baking, make sure you are eating the scones the same day. Leftover scones get soggy with a lemon slice on top. Enjoy!Small Batch Meyer Lemon Scones
Ingredients
For the optional glaze:
Instructions
Notes
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4
Serving Size:
1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 434Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 133mgSodium: 395mgCarbohydrates: 64gFiber: 2gSugar: 30gProtein: 7g
Kelcy B. says
If I were to adapt the base scone to a cinnamon or non-citrus flavor do you reccomend adding water in place of the lemon juice for the best texture? I LOVE lemon (team lemon for life!) but my partner ADORES cinnamon scones and I refuse to make a giant batch so this recipe (specifically the downsizing!) is a GEM in my morning read.
Christina Lane says
Hi Kelcy!
Thanks for writing in! Glad you like the recipe!
So, for cinnamon scones, I would add 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon to the batter, and a pinch in the glaze. I have a link within the post to Black Pepper Scones with Maple Glaze, and that recipe calls for 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper, so I think that's the right amount for cinnamon. Let me know how it goes :) I hope you enjoy! <3
Rosa says
My son is into lemons, as well!! Got a 1/4 sheet pan for Christmas and this looks like the perfect way to break it in!!! Happy 2018!!!
J says
If I only have regular lemons (not Meyer) - do any adjustments need to be made?
Christina Lane says
Nope, just make them as-is. Enjoy :)
Colleen says
I LOVE scones!
Your post reminded me that I haven't made them since the kids moved out several years ago. This looks like just the right amount for hubs and me.
My daughter was/is a lemon monster, too. We had to cut her off because the acid is so hard on tooth enamel, but I suspect she still sneaks a fresh lemon slice now and then.
Thanks so much for the recipe - I can't wait to try it!
Nancy says
I love, love, love lemon! But did I miss it: when do you add the zest? I swear I've read the recipe six times and don't see that step. I'm guessing it gets added to the dry before you add the wet, but please advise!
Christina Lane says
Oh gosh, I left that part out. So sorry! I copied the instructions over from my black pepper scones and didn't add that in. Fixing it now. Sorry for the confusion! <3
Jane Staniforth says
I have been dying to make these scones from the moment I saw the recipe, Christina! This morning, I could wait no longer... I didn't have Meyer lemons, but regular lemons worked just fine! They were absolutely delicious! So soft and tender, and the glaze was the perfect topping. Of course, there is not a crumb left! Ha! So glad they only made four.. perfect! Another great recipe, thanks Christina!
Jessica Mullins says
I love lemon!! Looking forward to making these!
Charlotte says
Made these today—total perfection! Clearly I’ve been living under a rock and have never heard of Meyer lemons until I saw this recipe, but will definitely be making these a staple at the house! Thank you!
Jane Maldi says
I love all sweets that i can eat with my morning coffee. I usually go for the chocolate based ones but this looks soooooo amazing! Awesom recipe, thanks for it
Beth says
Hi,
I just made the small batch scones,but using orange zest and drizzled homemade caramel. Quite delicious. The texture is excellent and my shaping was dubious.