Spring baking is underway! It's the perfect time to bake gluten-free blueberry lemon scones - a delightful pastry that you won't be able to stop eating.
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About this Gluten-Free Blueberry Lemon Scones Recipe
What's not to love with a gluten-free scone? Lemon zest, fresh blueberries, a soft, pillowy pastry that's slightly sweet - you can't go wrong here. Scones are one of my favorite things to bake, as I've previously made these savory bacon cheddar chive scones in the fall. But with spring on the horizon, lemons and blueberries seemed more like flowers, longer days, and sunshine.
Scones are relatively easy to make and super customizable. You don't have to use blueberries and lemon zest - you can really do whatever you'd like. The basic recipe is the same, it's all about adjusting the mix-ins. And for you dairy-free or lactose-free folks, don't worry: you can easily make these scones dairy-free (I've tested it!) and they still come out delicious!
What is a Scone?
Scones are flaky pastries, usually filled with fruit or other fillings. These are different from the British scones, which are more like an American biscuit. These gluten-free blueberry lemon scones are crunchy on the outside but soft on the inside, and super buttery. They are slightly sweet, allowing the flavors of the mix-ins, like the lemon zest and blueberries, to really shine through. And a little icing on top (if you like!) takes them to the next level!
Ingredients You Will Need
-Gluten-Free Flour: I prefer Cup4Cup for making gluten-free pastry, and have been using it for over ten years. It's my #1 choice for making scones, but please be aware it contains dairy. I've also had success making this recipe with Bob's Red Mill 1:1 Baking Flour which is gluten and dairy-free. You can substitute your favorite gluten-free flour blend, but be mindful you may have to adjust as you go, as one GF flour blend is not the same as the next. See the recipe notes for more information.
-Butter: Butter is the source of fat for making the scones nice and flaky. You can substitute dairy-free butter, which I've recipe tested. Earth Balance vegan butter sticks work well.
-Heavy Cream: Heavy cream is the source of moisture for the recipe. You can substitute So Delicious coconut creamer, which works great for a dairy-free option.
The other ingredients you'll for these scones are:
-Eggs
-Granulated Sugar
-Baking Powder
-Salt
-Lemon Zest
-Fresh or Frozen Blueberries
-Confectioner's Sugar (for the glaze, optional)
-Lemon Juice (for the glaze, optional)
How To Make Gluten-Free Scones
First you'll mix together the dry ingredients: the gluten-free flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and lemon zest. With very, very cold butter (the colder the better!), you'll incorporate this with the dry ingredients until it resembles coarse crumbs. Separately, you'll combine the heavy cream and egg, and add that to the mixture, along with the blueberries. Finally, you'll combine the dough into a ball, flatten it, and cut into triangles, brush with the eggwash, and then bake!
Can I Make These Gluten AND Dairy-Free?
Yes, you can! I've done it multiple times with my scones recipe and though they aren't as good, they can still be done.
Make sure you use a gluten and dairy-free flour blend, as the one I recommend for this recipe (Cup4Cup Multipurpose Gluten-Free Flour) contains milk powder. You'll also want to use a dairy-free creamer and dairy-free butter. I recommend So Delicious creamer and Earth Balance vegan butter sticks.
Tools For Baking Gluten-Free Blueberry Lemon Scones
Baking Sheets: I recommend these from Nordic Ware.
Silicone Mats: Not required, but helpful and less wasteful than using parchment paper. I use SilPat because they last forever!
Bench scraper: While I shape the dough with my hands, you can also use a bench scraper, like this one, to help shape your dough and cut into pieces.
Pastry brush: You'll use this to brush the eggwash onto the scones so they get nice and golden brown.
Troubleshooting Common Problems With Scones
Freeze your butter!
For the best results, put your stick of butter in the freezer as you get everything together, so that when it is time to grate it into the scones batter, it is nice and cold and doesn't melt.
Don't make pastry on a hot day.
Warmer temperatures mean your pastry is going to be more difficult to work with. Stick to a cooler day to make scones, if possible!
Baking by Weight
Is baking by weight the most accurate and precise way to bake gluten-free?
Yes. I've done it when baking gluten-free sourdough and also when making homemade pizza.
But is it realistic?
Not really.
In my experience, most people don't have the time or even a kitchen scale to bake this way. So that's why you'll see me baking by volume. It's easier.
Be careful how you measure your gluten-free flour.
Along the same lines, and one of my top gluten-free baking tips, if you aren't measuring for weight, then be sure to spoon your flour into your measuring cup, then level off with the back of the knife. This makes sure you get an accurate amount.
Follow. The. Recipe.
This recipe is specifically formulated using Cup4Cup Multipurpose gluten-free flour. If you decide to change anything or substitute other ingredients, they may come out differently than expected and I cannot speak to your results. My experience is in gluten-free and dairy-free baking, but not allergy-free, vegan, or egg-free. You can always email me: [email protected] with any questions and I'm happy to help troubleshoot the best I can.
Refrigerate the dough if it is difficult to work with.
If you notice your scones are becoming mushy or butter is leaking through your dough, or that your dough is too soft and starts ripping, it might be too warm. Wrap it in plastic wrap or parchment paper and place back in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to cool. Then remove and try again. Trust me - don't try to force the dough to do what you want when it's too warm. Be patient, refrigerate, and try again. It definitely helps!
How To Serve Gluten-Free Lemon Blueberry Scones
I love eating scones fresh and warm out of the oven, because they are just that good! But they go perfectly with a dab of softened butter, or even raspberry jam. Enjoy a scone for breakfast, with your tea, or for a sweet dessert.
How To Store Scones
Since gluten-free pastry tends to harden over time, these are best enjoyed fresh! Scones should be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator due to the butter content and should keep for 2-3 days. They will firm up over time, so soften them in the microwave for 15-20 seconds if needed!
Can I Freeze Scones?
Yes. To freeze scones, wrap securely in layers of plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Defrost in the refrigetaror overnight and then reheat in the microwave.
More Gluten-Free Baking Recipes
Feel like an easy quickbread? This banana bread with walnuts hits the spot.
Looking for a scones recipe? Bake a savory version with bacon, cheddar, and chives.
Want to practice your pie making skills? Check out this gluten-free peach pie with lattice design.
Ready to take your baking skills to the next level? Try these delightful, buttery, and flaky gluten-free croissants.
Discover all the gluten-free baking recipes on the blog right here.
Here's how to make these delightful gluten-free blueberry lemon scones!
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Gluten-Free Blueberry Lemon Scones Recipe
Gluten-Free Blueberry Lemon Scones
Method & icing from Sally's Baking Addiction
Ingredients
- 2 cups gluten-free flour, like Cup4Cup
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Zest of 1 lemon
- ½ cup (8 Tablespoons) very cold butter, diced small or grated
- ¾ cup heavy cream (see notes if using GF Flour other than Cup4Cup)
- 2 eggs (1 for the batter, 1 for the eggwash)
- 1 ½ cups fresh or frozen blueberries, rinsed and dried
- For the icing (Optional) : 1 cup confectioner's sugar + juice of 1 lemon
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with silicone mats or parchment paper. Place the butter in the freezer while you prepare everything else as it needs to be very cold!
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the gluten-free flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and lemon zest. Set aside. Remove the butter from the freezer and cut into very small cubes, or use a box grater to grate into tiny pieces (it helps incorporate it into the flour mixture). Add the grated/diced butter to the flour mixture and using your fingers, a fork, or a pastry cutter, combine until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs and the butter is pea-sized.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the heavy cream and 1 egg until combined. Pour over the flour/butter mixture. Lastly, add the blueberries, and begin mixing together with a spoon.
Onto a lightly floured, clean-surface, pour out the dough, and using your hands, begin molding it together, forming the dough into a ball. If the dough is too crumbly or dry, drizzle 1-2 tablespoons of heavy cream. If the dough is too sticky, drizzle 1-2 tablespoons of gluten-free flour. You may notice this especially if you are using a GF flour blend other than Cup4Cup. Go slow, and adjust as needed until the dough forms a ball.
Once the dough stays formed into a ball, begin flattening it out, forming a disc shape about ½ - ¾ inch in thickness. Using a sharp knife, cut the disc into 8 equal parts. Place scones 2 inches apart on the silicone-lined baking sheet. Using the remaining egg, whisk together with 1 teaspoon of water and brush over the top of the scones. Sprinkle with additional granulated sugar if desired.
Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Remove and let sit on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.
Once scones have cooled, make the lemon icing. Whisk together the confectioner's sugar and lemon juice until smooth. If it seems too runny, add more sugar. If it seems too thick, add more lemon juice. Using a spoon, drizzle the icing over the scones and let set for 15-20 minutes. Enjoy!
Notes
Gluten-Free Flour: For best results, use Cup4Cup flour. You can also substitute your favorite gluten-free flour blend, but please be mindful you may need to add more heavy cream/flour when mixing to get the right consistency.
Dairy-Free: These scones can be made dairy-free as well. Substitute a gluten-free and dairy-free flour blend, and use vegan butter sticks with dairy-free creamer. I prefer Earth Balance butter sticks and So Delicious creamer.
Storage: Scones should be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator due to the butter content. Scones should keep for 2-3 days. They will harden over time, so soften them in the microwave for 15-20 seconds if needed!
Freezing: To freeze scones, wrap securely in layers of plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Defrost in the refrigetaror overnight and then reheat in the microwave.
Nutrition Information
Yield 8 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 311Total Fat 11gSaturated Fat 6gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 4gCholesterol 74mgSodium 285mgCarbohydrates 50gFiber 2gSugar 23gProtein 6g
The nutrition information on each recipe card is provided as a courtesy and for your convenience. The data is calculated by Nutritionix. You are encouraged to make your own calculations based on your ingredients and preferred nutritional facts calculator. While I try to make sure they are accurate, I cannot guarantee the accuracy of these calculations.
Do you like scones?
What's your favorite kind?
Tell me in the comments below!
Tina says
Made these for a church function. I did change the zest to orange and the fruit to cranberries. I received many compliments!
Jennifer Fitzpatrick says
What a beautiful variation! I love it, Tina! Thank you for sharing.