Simple and Delicious Lavender Scones Recipe

By
Elaine Lemm
Elaine Lemm
Elaine Lemm
Elaine Lemm is a renowned British food writer, classically trained chef, teacher, and author with over 25 years of experience writing about British food and cooking.
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Updated on 02/23/22
Lavender-scones with jam on a table
Elaine Lemm
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 12 mins
Total: 27 mins
Servings: 10 servings
Yield: 10 scones

Scones are the quintessential British teatime treat whether as part of an afternoon tea or simply with a cup of tea or coffee. The beauty of scones is the basic recipe being one which can be enhanced over and over, taking the sweet scone to savory with the addition of cheese, adding various dried fruits (cranberries are a current favorite) or scented as this lavender scones recipe with a tiny pinch of culinary lavender.

Lavender turns a simple scone, slice of shortbread or biscuit into a summery delight, but approach with caution, add too much and you will swamp whatever you are making with the heavy scent which can be overpowering; less is always more.

Ingredients

  • 2 3/4 cups (350 grams) self-raising flour

  • 1 teaspoon baking powder

  • 3 ounces (6 tablespoons/85 grams) unsalted butter, chilled, cubed

  • 2 1/2 tablespoons caster sugar

  • 2 teaspoons culinary lavender

  • 2 large eggs, free-range, lightly beaten

  • 7 tablespoons (100 millilters) milk

Steps to Make It

  1. Preheat the oven to 400F/200C Gas 6

  2. Start by chilling a large mixing bowl in the freezer for 10 minutes or 30 in the fridge.

  3. Sieve the flour and baking powder together into the large mixing bowl. Add the butter and rub into the flour working as quickly until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs, do this as fast as possible, so the mixture does not become warm.

  4. Add the caster sugar and the lavender, stir with a metal spoon.

  5. Reserve 2 tablespoons of egg (for glazing) then add to the mixture with 3/4 of the milk. Using a dinner knife (not your hands) mix to create a soft, dough―if the dough feels dry add a little more milk but take care not to make the dough too sticky.

  6. Tip the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently and lightly to help smoothen taking care not to be too heavy or knead too long.

  7. Roll―again carefully―into a circle at least 2 cm deep.

  8. Dip a 6 cm cutter into your bag of flour and cut out the scones avoiding twisting the cutter (this can prevent the scones from rising). Reform the dough trimmings into a ball and repeat as above until you have used it all up.

  9. Place close together but not touching on a lightly greased baking sheet and brush the tops with the beaten egg. Bake in the center of the preheated oven for approximately 10 to 12 minutes or until golden and risen. Check the base of the scones to make sure it also is golden.

  10. Place on a cooling rack.

Tips

  • Keep your hands and all equipment as cold as possible. Work quickly, so the mixture does not get too warm.
  • Used a plain cutter rather than fluted for as it is easier to cut the soft mixture. Never twist the cutter.
  • Keep the scones close to each other on the baking tray but not touching so as they rise and swell, being close will help to keep the sides straight and prevent them toppling over (though if they do they look quite charming and taste just as good). 
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
217 Calories
8g Fat
30g Carbs
5g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 10
Amount per serving
Calories 217
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 8g 11%
Saturated Fat 5g 24%
Cholesterol 56mg 19%
Sodium 486mg 21%
Total Carbohydrate 30g 11%
Dietary Fiber 1g 3%
Total Sugars 4g
Protein 5g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 166mg 13%
Iron 2mg 10%
Potassium 75mg 2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)