Blueberry Lemon Sourdough Scones (Print Version)

Lightly tangy scones with juicy blueberries and lemon, combining sourdough richness and delicate crumb.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1 tablespoon baking powder
04 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
05 - 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
06 - Zest of 1 large lemon

→ Wet Ingredients

07 - 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
08 - 1 cup sourdough discard at room temperature
09 - 1/4 cup heavy cream, plus additional for brushing
10 - 1 large egg
11 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
12 - 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

→ Add-ins

13 - 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries

→ Topping

14 - 2 tablespoons coarse sugar, optional

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and lemon zest until evenly distributed.
03 - Add cold cubed butter to the dry mixture. Using a pastry blender or fingertips, cut butter into flour until mixture resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized pieces remaining.
04 - In a separate bowl, whisk together sourdough discard, heavy cream, egg, vanilla extract, and lemon juice until smooth and fully incorporated.
05 - Pour wet mixture into dry ingredients. Stir with a spatula until just combined, being careful not to overmix the dough.
06 - Gently fold blueberries into dough using minimal strokes to prevent staining.
07 - Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface. Pat into a 1-inch thick circle approximately 7 inches in diameter.
08 - Using a knife or bench scraper, cut dough into 8 equal wedges. Transfer to prepared baking sheet with space between each piece.
09 - Brush scone tops lightly with additional heavy cream. Sprinkle with coarse sugar if desired.
10 - Bake for 18 to 22 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to wire rack.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • That slight sourdough tang adds depth without requiring you to maintain a perfectly fed starter.
  • They're sturdy enough for a picnic but tender enough to convince people you're more skilled than you actually are.
  • Using frozen blueberries straight from the freezer prevents the dreaded pink-stained dough situation.
  • Ready in 40 minutes from start to cooling, which means weekend brunch is actually doable.
02 -
  • Overmixing is the silent killer of tender scones; your dough should look slightly shaggy and rough, not smooth and cohesive like bread dough.
  • The acid in sourdough discard plus the acid in lemon juice means you absolutely need that baking soda, or your scones will be dense and gummy instead of light and crumbly.
  • Frozen blueberries are your secret weapon for keeping the dough pale and pretty; fresh berries will stain everything pink.
03 -
  • Chill your mixing bowl before starting if your kitchen is warm; cold equipment keeps everything tender.
  • The moment your dough comes together is the moment to stop; literally one more stir and you've crossed the line into toughness.
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