Lavender Buttermilk Scones

Lavender Buttermilk Scones

from sallysbakingaddiction.com
Breakfast
70 min

Using my favorite scones recipe, you can make bakery-style lavender scones right at home. They’re buttery and moist with crisp crumbly edges and soft flaky centers. Read through the recipe before beginning. You can skip the chilling for 15 minutes prior to baking, but I highly recommend it to prevent the scones from over-spreading.

Ingredients

  • 2 cupsall-purpose flour (spooned & leveled), plus more for hands and work surface
  • ½ cupgranulated sugar
  • 2 ½ teaspoonsbaking powder
  • 2 teaspoonsdried culinary lavender
  • 2 teaspoonslemon zest
  • ½ teaspoonsalt
  • ½ cupunsalted butter, frozen
  • ½ cupbuttermilk, plus 2 tablespoons (30ml) for brushing
  • 1 largeegg
  • 1 ½ teaspoonspure vanilla extract
  • optional: coarse sugar for topping
  • 3 tablespoonsheavy cream or milk
  • 1 teaspoondried culinary lavender
  • 1 tablespoonfresh lemon juice
  • 1 ¼ cupsconfectioners’ sugar

Directions

  1. 1

    Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, lavender, lemon zest, and salt together in a large bowl. Grate the frozen butter using a box grater. Add it to the flour mixture and combine with a pastry cutter, two forks, or your fingers until the mixture comes together in pea-sized crumbs. See video and photo above for a closer look at the texture. Place in the refrigerator or freezer as you mix the wet ingredients together.

  2. 2

    Whisk 1/2 cup buttermilk, the egg, and vanilla extract together in a small bowl. Drizzle over the flour mixture, then mix together until everything appears moistened.

  3. 3

    Pour onto the counter and, with floured hands, work dough into a ball as best you can. Dough will be sticky. If it’s too sticky, add a little more flour. If it seems too dry, add 1 more Tablespoon buttermilk. Press into an 8-inch disc and, with a sharp knife or bench scraper, cut into 8 wedges. For smaller scones, press dough into two 5-inch discs and cut each into 8 wedges. To make 10-12 drop scones: Keep mixing dough in the bowl until it comes together. Drop scones, about 1/4 cup of dough each, 3 inches apart on a lined baking sheet.

  4. 4

    Brush scones with remaining buttermilk and for extra crunch, sprinkle with coarse sugar. (You can do this before or after refrigerating in the next step.)

  5. 5

    Place scones on a plate or lined baking sheet (if your fridge has space!) and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes.

  6. 6

    Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400°F (204°C).

  7. 7

    Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone baking mat(s). If making mini or drop scones, use 2 baking sheets. After refrigerating, arrange scones 2-3 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet(s).

  8. 8

    Bake for 18-26 minutes or until golden brown around the edges and lightly browned on top. Larger scones take closer to 25 minutes. (Tip: I like to start the icing while the scones cook so the milk has a chance to steep.) Remove from the oven and cool for a few minutes before icing.

  9. 9

    In a small saucepan over low heat, bring the milk to a simmer. Remove from heat and immediately add the lavender. Set aside to steep for 15 minutes. Strain the milk through a fine-mesh sieve set over a bowl, then discard the lavender. Cool for 5 minutes. Whisk in the lemon juice and confectioners’ sugar. Feel free to add more confectioners’ sugar to thicken, if desired. Drizzle over warm scones. Icing can be made 1-2 days ahead and stored in the refrigerator.

  10. 10

    Leftover scones keep well at room temperature for 2 days or in the refrigerator for 5 days.