Mixed Berry Scones Recipe

Mixed berry scones are a delicious, quick, and easy treat that will satisfy your sweet tooth with no trip to the bakery necessary. These little gems are packed with blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries for a sweet burst of flavor and beautiful blend of color — accented with a tangy, citrusy punch from lemon zest. Whether you serve them for breakfast, a quick snack, or dessert, they're sure to be a hit.

"I'm a big fan of these mixed berry scones! The combination of sweet, tart berries and the subtle tang of lemon zest makes for a really unique flavor profile," recipe developer Milena Manolova says. "The texture of these scones is also great; they're light and flaky but still have a nice crunch on the outside. Plus, they're quick and easy to make, so you can have a tasty treat ready to go in no time. What's not to love?"

The process of making these scones is simple: Mix together the dry ingredients, like flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Then, grate in the cold butter with a touch of cold water and mix until the dough is nice and crumbly. Finally, stir in the mixed berries and lemon zest, and you're ready to bake! The resulting scones will be golden, flaky, and bursting with juicy berry flavor.

The ingredients you'll need for this recipe include all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, salt, baking powder, heavy cream, an egg, vanilla extract, frozen butter, mixed berries, lemon zest, powdered sugar, milk, and coarse sugar for sprinkling on top for an extra crunch. You can use any berry combination you like, swapping Manolova's blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries for strawberries, black or red currants, or even cherries.

In a medium or large bowl, combine flour, granulated sugar, salt, and baking powder.

In a separate large bowl, whisk ½ cup heavy cream, egg, and vanilla extract.

Grate the cold butter using the large side of a box grater.

Add grated butter to the flour mixture. Using your hands, quickly mix the butter into the flour.

Pour the flour-butter mixture over the heavy cream mixture.

Combine dough using a rubber or wooden spatula.

Gently mix in the berries and lemon zest, and transfer dough to a floured work surface.

Shape dough into a disk about 7 inches in diameter, sprinkling on extra flour if the dough is too sticky.

Wrap dough in plastic wrap and transfer to the freezer for 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 400 F and position a rack in the middle.

Meanwhile, make the glaze by combining powdered sugar and milk in a small bowl. Set aside.

After 30 minutes, unwrap the dough and slice into 8 wedges.

Transfer scones to a parchment-lined baking tray, leaving about 2 inches of space between each scone.

Brush scones with remaining 1 tablespoon heavy cream.

Sprinkle with coarse sugar.

Bake on the middle rack for about 20-22 minutes, or until golden brown.

Let scones cool for a few minutes before drizzling on the glaze and serving.

When it comes to serving mixed berry scones, simplicity is key to let the flavors shine. With the sweet glaze on top, these are perfect as they are for a cozy breakfast or a sweet afternoon snack. Or, serve them with a dollop of whipped cream and some fresh berries on the side. You could also spread on some jam or a drizzle of honey, or enjoy them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and some warm chocolate sauce.

If you're sharing these with a crowd, you can make a mixed berry scone platter with a variety of toppings, like whipped cream, jam, honey, and nuts. They are perfect to serve at an afternoon tea party with your favorite caffeinated beverages.

Thanks to their handheld, conveniently portable nature, these scones are also great for your lunch box, a picnic, or a road trip. Placed in an airtight container, they maintain their flavor and texture, making them a tasty and hassle-free snack that you can enjoy wherever your day takes you.

Store your scones in an airtight container or bag at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you'd like to keep them fresh for longer, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to a week. To freeze the scones, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer bag. They should keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you're ready to enjoy them, simply thaw the frozen scones at room temperature or warm them up in the oven for a few minutes.

Mixed berry scones are actually a great make-ahead treat. You can prepare the dough ahead of time and then bake the scones when you're ready to enjoy them. Just prepare the dough according to the recipe. Once you've shaped the scones, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze for 1-2 hours, or until solid. Once frozen, transfer the scones to an airtight container and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you're ready to bake, there's no need to thaw. Just place the frozen scones on a baking sheet and bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time and making the glaze while they're in the oven.