The blend of Earl Grey tea and ripe blackberries in these scones is like a delightful harmony of flavors, each bite offering a subtle, yet unmistakable, infusion of aromatic bergamot. The fragrance of the tea dances through the dough as it bakes, and when you bite into the soft, buttery scone, the burst of tangy-sweet blackberries balances out the tea’s delicate citrus notes. The lemon glaze on top adds a perfect zesty finish, cutting through the richness of the scone while complementing the flavors with a bright, refreshing zing. It’s like a cozy, comforting hug from your kitchen, each bite more satisfying than the last. For a truly special treat, pair these scones with a warm cup of Earl Grey tea, and let the flavors meld together in a simple, yet sophisticated afternoon indulgence.
Key Ingredients in Earl Grey Blackberry Scones with Lemon Glaze
Each ingredient plays a unique role in bringing these scones to life, creating a perfect balance of texture and flavor. From the richness of the butter to the fragrant tea leaves, these components are what make this recipe truly special.
* All-purpose flour
This is the base of the scone dough, providing structure and a soft, tender crumb. It helps hold everything together without overpowering the delicate flavors.
* Baking powder
The leavening agent that gives the scones their light, fluffy texture. It ensures that the scones rise perfectly as they bake.
* Salt
Just a touch of salt enhances the sweetness of the blackberries and balances out the richness of the butter. It also helps to bring all the flavors together.
* Granulated sugar
Adds sweetness to the dough and helps with the browning of the scones, giving them a lovely golden color when baked.
* Loose Earl Grey tea leaves
The heart of the recipe. These tea leaves infuse the scones with their signature floral, citrusy bergamot flavor, creating a sophisticated twist.
* Unsalted butter, cold and cubed
Cold butter creates flaky layers in the scones, making them rich and buttery. It also helps create a tender crumb with that perfect melt-in-your-mouth texture.
* Heavy cream
The key to a rich, creamy scone dough. The fat in the cream helps achieve a moist, tender texture while adding a subtle richness to the flavor.
* Large egg
The egg binds the dough together and helps with the structure, ensuring that the scones hold their shape while still being light and tender.
* Fresh blackberries, chopped
These juicy little gems burst with sweetness and tartness, adding a pop of color and flavor to the scones. Their tangy sweetness pairs beautifully with the Earl Grey.
* Vanilla extract
A classic flavor enhancer that rounds out the tea and berry notes, adding depth to the overall flavor profile of the scones.
* Lemon zest
The zesty brightness of lemon zest adds a fragrant, citrusy note to the dough, subtly complementing the Earl Grey and blackberries.
For Lemon Glaze:
* Powdered sugar
The base for the glaze, it dissolves easily and creates a smooth, glossy finish that sweetens and adds a light crunch when it sets.
* Fresh lemon juice
Freshly squeezed lemon juice brings a tart, tangy kick to the glaze, balancing the sweetness and adding a refreshing burst of flavor that ties the whole scone together.
How to Make Earl Grey Blackberry Scones with Lemon Glaze
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and granulated sugar until evenly combined.
3. Add the loose Earl Grey tea leaves to the dry ingredients and stir to combine. The tea will add a lovely, aromatic flavor to the scones.
4. Cut the cold, cubed unsalted butter into the dry ingredients using a pastry cutter or your fingers. Work until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized pieces of butter. This step is key to getting flaky scones.
5. Pour in the heavy cream and crack the egg into the bowl. Add the vanilla extract and lemon zest, then stir everything gently with a fork until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the scones tender.
6. Fold in the chopped blackberries carefully, being cautious not to crush them too much. The blackberries should be evenly distributed but still intact.
7. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it gently just until it comes together. This should only take a few turns; don’t overwork the dough.
8. Form the dough into a disk about 1 inch thick. Use a sharp knife to cut the dough into 8 wedges, similar to cutting a pizza.
9. Place the scone wedges on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart. This will give them room to rise and brown evenly.
10. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the scones are golden brown on top and a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Keep an eye on them toward the end to avoid overbaking.
11. While the scones are baking, prepare the lemon glaze by whisking together the powdered sugar and fresh lemon juice in a small bowl until smooth. The glaze should be glossy and slightly thick.
12. Once the scones are done baking, remove them from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. This helps them set before glazing.
13. Drizzle the lemon glaze over the warm scones while they are still slightly warm, allowing the glaze to soak in and set beautifully.
14. Allow the scones to cool completely on a wire rack before serving. This will let the flavors develop fully and the glaze set to perfection.
Serving Suggestions for Earl Grey Blackberry Scones with Lemon Glaze
* Pair with a hot cup of Earl Grey tea – The scones and tea complement each other beautifully. Brew yourself a fresh cup of Earl Grey to enhance the flavors of the bergamot and create a cozy, indulgent tea time.
* Add a dollop of clotted cream or mascarpone – For extra richness, spread a little clotted cream or mascarpone on your scones. The creamy texture contrasts perfectly with the light, fluffy scones and the tangy lemon glaze.
* Serve with fresh fruit and a drizzle of honey – For a refreshing touch, pair the scones with a side of fresh berries or citrus slices. A gentle drizzle of honey will add a sweet finish, balancing the tartness of the blackberries and lemon glaze.
How to Store Earl Grey Blackberry Scones with Lemon Glaze
To keep your Earl Grey Blackberry Scones with Lemon Glaze fresh and delicious, here are a few easy storage tips:
– Room temperature storage: If you plan to eat the scones within a day or two, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature. This will help preserve their flakiness and soft texture. Just make sure the lemon glaze has fully set before sealing them up!
– Refrigeration for longer freshness: If you have leftovers and want them to last a bit longer, pop the scones in the fridge. Wrap them in plastic wrap or store them in an airtight container. They should stay fresh for up to 5 days in the fridge. Just be sure to bring them to room temperature before serving for the best flavor and texture.
– Freezing for future indulgence: Want to enjoy your scones later? Freeze them! Simply wrap each scone in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag. They’ll keep well for about 2 months. To enjoy, let them thaw at room temperature or warm them up in the oven to restore that fresh-baked taste.
Storing your scones properly will keep them as delightful as the first bite!
Conclusion
There you have it! These Earl Grey Blackberry Scones with Lemon Glaze are the perfect treat for any occasion, whether it’s a cozy afternoon tea or a special breakfast. The way the Earl Grey tea and blackberries come together in these buttery, flaky scones—topped off with that zingy lemon glaze—is truly something magical. I hope you give this recipe a try and find as much joy in baking (and eating!) them as I do.
If you’ve got any questions, or if you’ve made the recipe and want to share your experience, I’d love to hear from you! Drop a comment or ask away—I’m always happy to chat about cooking adventures or lend a hand if you need a little extra help in the kitchen.
Earl Grey Blackberry Scones with Lemon Glaze
Description
These Earl Grey Blackberry Scones are a perfect balance of fragrant tea, sweet blackberries, and a hint of citrus. Topped with a zesty lemon glaze, they offer a light, buttery texture with a burst of flavor in every bite—a true treat for your taste buds!
Ingredients
Instructions
-
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
-
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and granulated sugar.
-
Add the loose Earl Grey tea leaves to the dry ingredients and stir to combine.
-
Cut the cold, cubed unsalted butter into the dry ingredients using a pastry cutter or your fingers, until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized pieces of butter.
-
Pour in the heavy cream and crack the egg into the bowl.
-
Add the vanilla extract and lemon zest, then stir everything together gently with a fork until just combined.
-
Fold in the chopped blackberries carefully, being cautious not to crush them too much.
-
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it gently just until it comes together.
-
Form the dough into a disk about 1 inch thick, then use a sharp knife to cut it into 8 wedges.
-
Place the scone wedges on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
-
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the scones are golden brown on top and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
-
While the scones are baking, prepare the lemon glaze by whisking together the powdered sugar and fresh lemon juice in a small bowl until smooth.
-
Once the scones are done baking, remove them from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes.
-
Drizzle the lemon glaze over the warm scones while they are still slightly warm, allowing the glaze to set.
-
Allow the scones to cool completely on a wire rack before serving.
Note
- Be careful when folding in the blackberries to avoid mashing them, which could turn the dough purple.
- If you don’t have loose Earl Grey tea leaves, you can use 1-2 Earl Grey tea bags (just cut them open).
- For a richer flavor, you can replace the heavy cream with buttermilk.
- If you want a lighter texture, sift the dry ingredients together before mixing.
- For an extra touch, sprinkle a little coarse sugar on top of the scones before baking for a sweet crunch.
