Earl Grey Scones

Earl Grey Scones are a unique twist on classic scones. They’re flavored with Earl Grey tea and drizzled with a light lemon glaze. Perfect for a brunch or afternoon snack!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

You'll never have to eat dry scones again with this Earl Grey Scones recipe! They're the perfect balance of flaky, crumbly and moist. Using both butter and greek yogurt in these scones ensures they have the perfect texture.

They’re easy to make, even for beginner bakers. The dough comes together quickly without any special equipment.

The combination of Earl Grey tea and lemon creates a unique and delicious flavor. They are light, bright, and bursting with flavor. Serve them for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon snack!

If you love Earl Grey tea, try this simple Earl Grey Iced Tea with Honey.

Ingredients

• Flour: All-purpose flour is best for this recipe, but you could also use a mixture of all-purpose and whole wheat flour for added nutrition. Keep in mind, this could affect the texture.
• Sugar: Granulated sugar to add some sweetness.
• Baking Powder: To give them that rise.
• Earl Grey Tea: You can use loose Earl Grey tea, or simply cut open 2 teabags to pour directly into the flour mixture. Regular or decaffeinated both work.
• Fine Sea Salt: To round out the flavors.
• Unsalted Butter: Cubed unsalted butter. Be sure it is very cold. This is the key to light and flaky scones.
• Greek Yogurt: 0% fat plain greek yogurt, for added moisture. I like to use Fage.
• Egg: A large egg to hold it all together and give it that fantastic texture.
• Lemon Juice and Zest: These will brighten up the flavor and compliment the tea.
• Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla extract for added depth of flavor.
• Milk: Any type of milk to brush on top before baking to help them become a beautiful golden brown.
• Lemon Glaze: Confectioners' Sugar, Lemon Juice and Zest, and a splash of milk to thin it out.

How to Make Earl Grey Scones

1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, earl grey tea, and fine sea salt until evenly combined. Add the butter and cut in using a pastry cutter or your hands, until crumbly. Place in the refrigerator while you prepare the wet ingredients.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the greek yogurt, egg, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract until combined. Using a silicone spatula or wooden spoon, stir the wet mixture into the flour and butter mixture until a dough forms.
3. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Shape into a flat 7-inch circle. Using a sharp knife or bench scraper, cut into 8 even wedges.
4. Transfer the wedges to a parchment lined baking sheet, spacing them at least 1-inch apart. Refrigerate for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400°F.
5. Lightly brush the tops of the scones with milk. Bake for 18-20 minutes, until the tops are light golden brown. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
6. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest (if using) and 1 teaspoon milk until combined. Add up to 1 more teaspoon of milk if the mixture is too thick. Drizzle over warm scones. Serve and enjoy!

Tips for Making Scones

• Use cold butter. The key to flaky scones is using cold butter. Keep it in the fridge until you're ready to use it.
• Cut in the butter with a pastry cutter or your hands until a coarse crumble forms. I prefer to use my hands, however be careful not to handle it too much, as you want to keep the butter nice and cold.
• Don't overwork the dough. Mix the wet and dry ingredients until they are just combined, then shape into a circle and cut into wedges. If you overwork the dough, it could make your scones very tough.
• Chill the dough. Refrigerating the scones once you’ve shaped them, before baking, helps them hold their shape and rise properly. 
• Use a sharp knife or bench scraper. Cutting the dough into wedges can be tricky, since the dough is slightly tacky. Use a sharp knife or bench scraper to make it easier.

Variations

I love these Earl Grey Scones as-is, however if you want to get creative, here are a few suggestions.

• Don't like tea? Simply leave it out! These will still be delicious lemon scones. If you do this, add in an extra teaspoon of lemon juice to the wet ingredients mixture.
• Add in fruit or nuts. You can add in ¾ cup of blueberries or raspberries. You could also add in ¼ cup of sliced almonds or your nut of choice.
• Use a different type of tea. Swap the Earl Grey tea for another type of tea, like chai, chamomile, or green tea.
• Try a different flavor of glaze. Instead of lemon glaze, try vanilla or maple.

Serving Suggestions

These would be perfect to serve for Easter or Mother's Day Brunch, a light spring or summer dessert, or even a baby shower or bridal shower. They're even great to bring to a potluck or to enjoy for a quick breakfast on the go with a tea or coffee.

Serve them on their own, with a dollop of whipped cream or a smear of jam. They also pair perfectly served with a side of fresh berries.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

More Brunch Recipes

If you like this scone recipe, then you'll love these other brunch baked goods recipes!

• Strawberry Lemon Muffins
• Oatmeal Sweet Potato Muffins
• Zucchini Muffins
• Cherry Chocolate Chip Muffins

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