Tender and flaky, these Lemon Scones with Nutmeg and Cherries are not too sweet and perfect for breakfast or brunch. Served with a creamy spread, these scones are irresistible!
Originally posted September 15, 2008 – What can I say? You all know I’m a sucker for a good lemon recipe. I recently remade these lemon scones with a few changes and couldn’t wait to come back here and re-share them with you. As much as I love muffins, I really have grown fond of scones over the last few years. I just need to make them more often – starting with another batch of these!
The original post from 2008 follows.
We were a muffin family growing up. I didn’t even know that scones existed when I was younger. And since we’re not a coffee drinking family, either, I never had the chance to try the scones that everyone talks about from Starbucks. The only time I ever had scones, they were deep fried – like the scones I made last Christmas. So really, this whole scone thing is pretty new to me since I started food blogging.
And although I still say that I prefer a muffin over a scone, a whole new world has been opened up to me. I still haven’t made many versions, but the ones that I have made, I’ve been quite happy with.
This original recipe calls for raisins, which I’m sure would work well, but I had some dried cherries that needed using, so I threw those in instead. I loved the crunchy topping the sugar mixture on top made, and the lemon cream cheese mixture you make to serve the scones with is delicious. These lemon scones are perfect for breakfast or brunch!
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Lemon Scones with Nutmeg and Cherries
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 25 mins
- Yield: 12 scones 1x
Description
Tender and flaky, these Lemon Scones with Nutmeg and Cherries are not too sweet and perfect for breakfast or brunch. Served with a creamy spread, these scones are irresistible!
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 6 tablespoons butter, cut into small cubes
- 8 oz lemon yogurt, divided
- 2 eggs
- 1/3 cup dried cherries
- 4 teaspoons lemon zest, divided
- 4 1/2 teaspoons sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450ºF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicon baking mat.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, baking soda and nutmeg. Add the butter and using a pastry cutter or fork, cut the butter in until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- In another bowl, combine 4 oz. of the yogurt and the eggs. Stir in the cherries and 2 teaspoons of the lemon zest. Pour the yogurt mixture into the dry mixture and mix until moistened. Turn the dough out onto a work surface that has been lightly sprinkled with flour. Use your hands to work the dough just until it all comes together into a ball. Flatten the ball out into a circle about 9-inches in diameter.
- In a small bowl, combine the sugar and 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg. Sprinkle the sugar over the top of the scone dough and lightly press it in with your fingers. Cut the dough into 8 triangles. Carefully transfer the scones to the prepared baking sheet, spacing the scones 1 inch apart.
- Bake in the preheated oven until the scones are golden brown, 8-10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, beat the cream cheese in a bowl until light and fluffy. Add the remaining 4 oz of yogurt plus the remaining 2 teaspoons of lemon zest and continue to beat until smooth and fluffy.
- Serve the dip with the scones.
Recipe Notes:
adapted from Best of the Bake-Off
SHOP THIS POST!
More Lemon Recipes Perfect for Breakfast or Brunch:
Glazed Lemon Poppy Seed Zucchini Bread
Strawberry Lemon Ricotta Pancakes
Around the Web:
Easy Lemon Monkey Bread Recipe from Six Sisters’ Stuff
The Best Lemon Loaf from Averie Cooks
Lemon Poppyseed Muffin from Creme de la Crumb
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Pearlsofeast says
Absolutely great combo, love the flavors. Bookmarked.
hot garlic says
Oh yum, I love scones! Sweet or savory, I’ll take them. These look delightful!
Rosie says
I adore anything with lemon and your scones would just hit my lemony spot.
Rosie x
dobetter says
Lemon Scones are some of my favorite things. I’ve never thought about the addition of nutmeg…yum!
Dawn says
I grew up watching Julia Child as a kid. I loved her and Sesame Street (weird I know). I do remember her making scones. I’ve always loved scones. Your combo here is perfect. I might have to steal this recipe.
Megan says
Scones are definitly my thing. And these sound delicious. I love nutmeg and lemon. Bookmarked for a special occasion, like a cold rainy Sunday!
Elle says
I love scones! Those look really good, especially with the cherries. I need to get going and make some again.
Bellini Valli says
Scones are my thing…but the jury is still out on whether I enjoy savory or sweet more:D
CECIL says
I love scones!! Especially lemon scones – though I have never add nutmeg to it, but I can see how it gives a little ‘mhh’ factor to it.
JennDZ - The Leftover Queen says
Those scones actually sound great – I would think the lemon lightens up the heaviness of the scone and the nutmeg is a great counter balance! YUM!
glamah16 says
You have been busy, or I have lazy visiting. Im so hapopy your sweet tooth is returning and the lemon nutmeg combo sounds great.
RecipeGirl says
I didn’t grow up knowing of scones either. Maybe it was an English thing only and we didn’t really have them in the US until later?
I’d say your changes… dried cherries and added lemon rind are good choices. I love a good scone.
Kristen says
I am so with you on the scone thing. I grew up never having a scone. I’ve never made them, but think I’ll have to try sometime soon 🙂
Tanya says
The scones look great! I’m usually indifferent to scones. Some are really dry and blah, but made right, some can actually be very moist and delicious. I think the key is not to overmix the dough. Great job!
Maria says
Deb one word….DELISH!
Maria
x
Gabi says
Lovely scones Deborah! Muffins have their charm but it’s nice to know you’ve added scones to your repertoire as well. These sound good- we are definitely a scone household so I’ll give them a try.
xo
Mary says
I really enjoy scones and these look awfully good. You’re making me hungry!
Patricia Scarpin says
Deb, these look amazing. One just can’t go wrong baking with lemon, is all I’ll say. 🙂
Grace says
my family is the same way–all muffins, never scones. i never tasted a scone until i worked at starbucks, and frankly, theirs are so nasty, i haven’t tried any since. perhaps it’s time to give them a chance. 🙂
kamailesfood says
I enjoy scones from Old Grist Mill or Crumb Bros. If I remember correctly, the lemon scones from Crumb Bros have a really tasty glaze on them that make them even more lemony. These scones sound great! Lemon and nutmeg is a different combo.
Sara says
Those look so pretty! I was in my late 20’s before I had my first scone.
Heather says
oooh those are lovely! i would NEVER have thought and lemon and nutmeg together! i adore them both.. but together?! i’ve never tried it. yummmmm!!
PheMom says
I’m with you – scones are relatively new to me too – but I love them. There is the most amazing almond scone recipe in the book we use for Tuesdays with Dorie – I keep meaning to post it. If it sounds good send me an email and I’ll shoot it off to you if you don’t have the book.
Pam says
Great looking scones. I’ve never thought of combining nutmeg with lemon – it sounds delicious.
noble pig says
Lemon & nutmeg…I would never have put them together. I bet they are delicious.
Clumbsy Cookie says
What an interesting flavour to have on a scone. They must have smelled heavenly!
flower says
Home made scones are one of my favourite summer treats, the lemon would make it even better, I love everything lemon and will definitly be making these, although I have said that about many recipes Ive seen on here 🙂
Dhanggit says
my hubby has been bugging me to bake some scones..i have never tried making them. your scones are fantastic! i bet lemon and nutmeg are so perfect together 🙂
Maria says
In Utah most scones are fried bread, but I don’t consider that a scone. I prefer the old fashioned kind like the ones you made! They look delicious!!
veron says
Let me see…the hubby loves scones and he loves lemon. This would be perfect for him and I’d be happy to help him finish it. Thanks for this recipe and I’ll definitely try it by adding the lemon juice as you suggested.
kat says
Yum! We love a good homemade scone…come to think about it its way too long since Matt made me any 😉
Debbie says
They look great tho. And since I haven’t had breakfast yet…..
they are making me hungry!