Monday, August 23, 2010

Lemon Blueberry Scones


The house is very quiet... too quiet.  I've cleaned up the kitchen, fed the puppies, started laundry and all the while my mind is on the kids and their first day of school.  Today my baby boy started high school.  He walked off so tall and confident, never once looking back.  So unlike that first day of kindergarten 9 years ago when he suddenly realized that Mommy wasn't going to be staying with him and the tears began to flow.  Growing up is hard... on me!  

The First Day of School always commands a special breakfast and today was no different.  Lemon Blueberry Scones were still warm from the oven as the sleepy eyed kids made their way downstairs in the semi darkness of 6:20 AM.  Their eyes lost the sleepy look as they fueled up for the day and we headed out (Liv with another scone in her lunch bag!) to start the year.  

Frozen blueberries with condensation

The dough will be sticky...

Scones with raw sugar sparkling in the sun!
Light and airy, these blueberry scones were a wonderful way to begin or morning.  While I usually prefer the denser, crusty scones that command lots of butter, these were a lovely, somewhat healthier start to our day with only ¼ cup.  Buttermilk provided a nice, tender crumb, and the lemon combined with blueberries is always a favorite.  Personally, raw sugar on top of scones providing a bit of crunch is always my favorite part, so even though this recipe did not call for the raw sugar, as there is a glaze, I brushed the tops with milk and added the sugar anyway!  The scones were good without the glaze, but with the glaze they attained an excellent status!

5 hours remain until the first day of school lets out.  I know the kids will both do just fine, Spanish, algebra, geometry, biology, etc.  I think I'm glad I'm not there.  But I sure do miss them here...




Lemon Blueberry Scones
adapted from Tyler Florence

2 cups unbleached flour, plus more for rolling berries
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
⅓ cup sugar
1 Tbs lemon zest
¼ cup unsalted butter, chilled and cut in chunks
¾ cup buttermilk or cream
1 egg
1 cup fresh blueberries (I used frozen... do not thaw)
milk for brushing (optional)
raw sugar for sprinkling (optional)


Preheat oven to 400º F.

In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, salt, sugar and lemon zest; mix thoroughly.  Cut in butter using 2 forks, a pastry blender or your fingers. The butter pieces should be coated with flour and resemble crumbs.

In another bowl, mix the buttermilk and the egg together, and then add to the flour mixture. Mix just until partially incorporated, do no overwork the dough.

Toss the blueberries in flour to coat, this will help prevent the fruit from sinking to the bottom of the scone when baked. Fold the blueberries into batter, being careful not to bruise.  Pour sticky dough out onto a well floured surface.  Pat to a ¾ inch height and cut with a pizza cutter into desired triangles or squares.  Place on a non stick baking mat or a baking sheet sprayed lightly with cooking spray.  If desired, brush the tops of the scones with milk and sprinkle with raw sugar.


Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until brown. Cool before applying lemon glaze.

Lemon Glaze:

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted (may need a bit more or a bit less)
  • 2 - 3 Tbs fresh lemon juice
  • 1 Tbs lemon zest
To prepare Lemon Glaze: combine butter, sugar, Lemon zest, and juice over a double boiler.  Cook until butter and sugar are melted and mixture has thickened.  Remove from heat and whisk until smooth and slightly cool.  Drizzle or brush on top of scone. 


My boy... Sept. 2001


26 comments:

  1. This is for sure the sweetest post I've ever read. I do not have kids so I can't even imagine how a mom must feel seeing her sons/daughters growing up but I do work with kids so I know a little bit about separation and first days of school. I hope these wonderful scones cheered you up a bit. I will have to try them myself for my first day of school :)

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  2. Awww, so sweet! Your scones look yummy!

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  3. These look absolutely to die for! So delicious looking!

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  4. These lemon blueberry scones look absolutely delicious! You should have joined our International Incident Scones Party on Monday, it was hosted by Penny of Jeroxie. Maybe it's not too late?

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  5. These looks absolutely delicious! I want one right now with a cup of tea :)

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  6. These scones sound fantastic, you know I love the lemon and blueberry combo:) What a sweet pic of your boy:) They grow too fast for me:(

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  7. those scones are a wow!!! I love using raw sugar on my baked goods it adds a nice touch, but that glaze just kicked it up another notch!!!

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  8. Thanks Sara! It was a long day but productive day for me. I'm actually looking forward to tomorrow!! Unfortunately, that darn plate of scones has dwindled while I was here all alone...

    Thanks Kristy & Ravie!

    Sommer, I can definitely say that they actually get better as the day goes on!

    Diva, sure wish I would have known about it. I will keep an eye for next month.

    Sprinkled with Flour, the tea would be a perfect complement!

    Camala, we love it too. The pic of my son is one of my all time favorites, he's a tad embarrassed that it is online. Now he's 14 and 6 inches taller than I am. Had a good first day of high school.

    Dennis, thanks!! I LOVE raw sugar. But yes, this glaze really did it!

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  9. Awww high school! My son will be starting pre-nursery program next week and it is definitely hard on me )= But on a lighter note. hot damn, those scones look delicious! Will you be my mommy? PLEEEEASE (=

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  10. Fantastic recipe and a heartfelt post! Great memories to hang on to forever.....

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  11. I love scones for breakfast but never make them! your recipe is definitely a keeper. I love the lemon-blueberry combo! Your son is adorable!

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  12. Yummy. Making blueberry scones tonight!

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  13. Those are lovely scones. Blueberries and lemon go together so well.

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  14. Your description of the scones is as enticing as your pictures. You also made me want to hold my daughter back so she won't grow up and walk away from me towards high school and she's not even hit kindergarten yet! What a wonderfully warm, and wonderful post. Thank you.

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  15. Those scones look so yummy! I now have a craving for lemon blueberry scones!

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  16. He's such a cutie in that pic. I am sure he will keep you proud one day. My younger daughter is starting kindergarten in 2 weeks and to think that one day I am going to feel what you're feeling is pretty intimidating at the moment. Can't believe how time flies by. I love your scones and you inspired me to make a special 1st day of school treat for my kids as well. You're such a great mom. Thank you for your sweet post!

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  17. i love scones! these look amazing!

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  18. Congratulations on Foodbuzz top 9! Such a sweet post, congratulations on back to school week:-)

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  19. The scones look amazing. I don't think I will be able to make something like this on the first day. My son is starting HS too -in two weeks! I am nervous for him. He doesn't like the idea of starting a new school, with only a handful of the kids he knows. These scones look so good. I haven't made any in a long time. Thanks for the yummy recipe.

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  20. These look amazing!! I'm going to make them for a luncheon this weekend. Perfect for my group, "Daughters of the British Empire". We meet once a month and have traditional English High Tea. I think these will be a big hit! Love your Blog.

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  21. Awesome and congrat on Top 9! I'm excited for you. I'm crying for you already, mine just started college, it goes too fast!
    -Gina-

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  22. I'm an Educational Assistant at an elementary school here in Hawaii, so I totally understand the first day of school feelings.I absolutly love scones and have to try yours.Thanks for sharing such a delicious recipe.

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  23. I agree, one of the most sweetest post...and not to mention the yummy recipe...lucky kids :-)

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  24. This looks like a great scone recipe! Can't wait to try it. I think tomorrow morning will do just fine! Thanks.

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  25. I just made these for breakfast this morning, and my family LOVED them! Thank you so much for the recipe, I'm going to definitely make these again! :)

    Happy Baking!

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