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    Milk and Pop » Recipes » Tea Baking

    Earl Grey Scones with Citrus Glaze

    Published: May 1, 2023 · Modified: Oct 24, 2023 by Tatiana Kamakura · 3 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links

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    If you're a fan of tea, you'll love my Earl Grey Scones. Light, buttery and flaky, these scones are infused with the delicate flavor of Earl Grey tea and are topped with an easy citrus glaze.

    Close up on earl grey scone, with citrus glaze.

    If you like baking with tea flavors, you have to try these fudgy matcha cookies! Looking for a cookie version of this flaky scone? You won't regret baking these melt-in-your-mouth Earl Grey shortbread cookies!

    Jump to:
    • 👩🏻‍🍳Why bake these scones?
    • 📝Ingredients and substitutions
    • 🫖Flavor variations
    • 🥄How to make them
    • 😋Tips for perfect scones
    • 🙋🏻‍♀️Questions you might have
    • 🧋Recipes to try with these scones
    • 🫙Storing and freezing
    • 🍪More Scones and Biscuits
    • 📖 Recipe

    👩🏻‍🍳Why bake these scones?

    If you bake my Earl Grey Scones, I'll promise you'll get:

    • Buttery and flaky scones as good as my blackberry scones;
    • Scones that are quick and easy to make (I'll go through every step with you here and in the video!);
    • Delicious and simple flavor variations for you to try (trust me: you'll want to bake them again!).

    📝Ingredients and substitutions

    Ingredients used for this recipe
    • Granulated sugar. You can substitute for caster sugar. Don't substitute for icing sugar.
    • Butter. Use unsalted. This ingredient needs to be cold.

    I recommend grating the butter, then freezing it for an hour before starting to make the scones.

    • Earl Grey. You can use tea bags or loose Earl Grey tea leaves. If using loose tea, you'll get a scone with a stronger earl grey flavor.

    When using loose tea, I recommend grinding or chopping the leaves fine for a better texture, as we're using it for baking.

    • Earl Grey extract. You can make your own Earl Grey extract for baking, or substitute for vanilla extract. Using Earl Grey extract will enhance this flavor in the recipe.
    • Heavy cream. You can substitute for buttermilk. If doing so, buttermilk will add an extra sourness to these scones.

    See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and substitutions.

    🫖Flavor variations

    • Earl Grey Lavender Scones. Add lavender extract to the glaze instead of Earl Grey extract. Ad half a cup of white chocolate chips after adding the egg.
    • Raspberry Earl Grey Scones. Add a cup of frozen raspberries when making the dough, right after adding the egg.
    • Blackberry Earl Grey Scones. Add half a cup of frozen blackberries, half a cup of white chocolate chips when making the dough, right after adding the egg.

    🥄How to make them

    A tip before beginning: measuring the flour in this recipe is very important! I strongly recommend weighting all the ingredients instead of using cups, especially the all-purpose flour.

    Earl grey infused heavy cream.

    Step 01. Add heavy cream and Earl Grey in a jar with a lid. Let it rest in the fridge overnight. Before making the scones, remove Earl Grey tea bags or leaves.

    A bowl with mixed dry ingredients.

    Step 02. In a large bowl, mix dry ingredients: flour, sugar, baking powder and Earl Grey tea.

    Cold butter incorporated in the dough.

    Step 03. Add cold butter. Press the butter and the dry ingredients together until you get the consistency of pear-sized crumbs.

    Mixing egg with extract.

    Step 04. Whisk together egg and Earl Grey extract (or Vanilla extract).

    Egg mixture being added to the dough.

    Step 05. Add the egg mixture to the dough, using your hands to combine.

    Heavy cream added to the dough.

    Step 06. Add the heavy cream and, with your hands, work the dough until ingredients are combined and dough starts to form.

    Scones cut into triangles.

    Step 07. Turn the dough into a floured surface and form a disk, about 1 to 1 ½ inch thick. Divide the disk into 8 triangles.

    Shaped Scones ready to bake in a baking sheet.

    Step 08. Place scones in the baking sheet, and bake them for 15 to 18 minutes, until lightly golden on top. Do not bake for more than 18 minutes: overbaked scones get dry and crumbly! 

    Mixing ingredients of the earl grey glaze.

    Step 09. In a small bowl, combine icing sugar, Earl Grey (or vanilla) extract, and lemon juice.

    Glaze ready to use.

    Step 10. Use a spoon or whisk to drizzle the citrus glaze over the scones.

    Don't make the glaze ahead! It sets really fast, so just make it when ready to pour over the scones.

    😋Tips for perfect scones

    • Freeze the butter. Extra cold butter helps you to get tender scones every time.
    • Don't overwork the dough. Working too much on the dough will increase gluten development and make tough scones. You want to work on the dough until the ingredients are just barely holding together.
    • Don't overbake your scones. Overbaked scones will be dry and crumbly. Set a timer. Also, remove them from the oven as soon as they're done baking!
    close up on scones being glazed

    If you're baking during summer, or your kitchen is too hot:

    • You need to freeze the butter!
    • Instead of preheating before starting the recipe, make the dough, shape scones, and place them in the freezer. Then, preheat the oven while they keep cool. When preheated, bake them as instructed.

    🙋🏻‍♀️Questions you might have

    Why are my scones tough?

    You probably overworked the dough. Scone dough needs to be handled as little as possible. Don't knead it.

    Can I make these scones ahead of time?

    Yes, you can make these scones ahead of time. If stored correctly, they'll keep moist and tender for about 3 days.

    Should scones be baked touching?

    Placing scones slightly closer together on the tray during baking can aid them in rising higher and straighter in the oven, giving you more aesthetically pleasing baked goods.

    🧋Recipes to try with these scones

    If you want to go full Earl Grey, try having them with a delicious Iced Earl Grey Milk Tea.

    For those wanting a different flavor and a hot drink, Earl Grey goes deliciously with a touch of chocolate. Try a mocha latte with these scones on a winter afternoon.

    Looking for some berry flavor? Earl Grey matches great with raspberries, blueberries and blackberries. Try spreading blackberry jam over them, or topping your scones with blueberry compote: amazing for baking goods!

    Glazed scone over parchment paper.

    🫙Storing and freezing

    Scones are at their best on the day they're baked, but storing them correctly ensures they'll last moist and tender for longer.

    After cooled, place scones in an airtight container, bag, or plastic wrap. Do not store them in the fridge: that will make them dry out.

    Scones will freeze well baked or unbaked. For freezing, wrap them tightly with plastic wrap and store them in a freezer bag or recipient to avoid any off flavor it can get in the freezer. 

    When baking frozen unbaked scones, add 2 to 3 minutes to the baking time, and always remember to preheat the oven. You can bake them straight from the freezer.

    For frozen baked scones, it's best to let them thaw for a couple of hours on the counter or overnight inside the fridge. To reheat, place each for about 30 seconds in the microwave, or bake for about 10 minutes in the oven at 300°F.

    🍪More Scones and Biscuits

    • blackberry scones with lime glaze
      Fluffy Blackberry White Chocolate Scones
    • Blueberry Scone with glaze
      Starbucks Blueberry Scones (Flaky and Buttery)
    • chocolate chip cookie scone close up
      Chocolate Chips Scones Recipe (Cookie Scones)
    • Two biscuits on a plate.
      Easy Tea Biscuits With Cream

    If you tried this Earl Grey Scones Recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the comments below!

    📖 Recipe

    Close up on three Earl Grey Scones, glazed.

    Earl Grey Scones

    Tatiana Kamakura
    If you're a fan of tea, you'll love my Earl Grey Scones. Light, buttery and flaky, these scones are infused with the delicate flavor of Earl Grey tea and are topped with an easy citrus glaze.
    5 from 9 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 18 minutes mins
    Total Time 28 minutes mins
    Course Scones and Biscuits
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8 scones
    Calories 450 kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • 1 Baking sheet
    • Parchment paper

    Ingredients
     
     

    Earl Grey Scones

    • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
    • ½ cup sugar granulated
    • ¼ teaspoon sea salt
    • 1 tablespoon baking powder
    • ½ cup butter unsalted and cold
    • 1 egg large
    • 1 teaspoon Earl Grey extract or vanilla extract
    • ½ cup heavy cream
    • 4 tea bags Earl Grey

    Citrus Glaze

    • 1 cup icing sugar
    • 1 ½ tablespoon lemon juice or lime/orange juice
    • 1 teaspoon Earl Grey Extract or vanilla extract

    Instructions
     

    • Add heavy cream and 2 Earl Grey tea bags (or 2 teaspoon Earl Grey loose leaves) in a jar with a lid and let it rest in the fridge overnight.
    • The next day, preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
    • Remove Earl Grey tea bags from the heavy cream, pressing them with a spoon to extract more flavor.
    • In a large bowl, mix together dry ingredients: flour, sugar, baking powder and Earl Grey tea. If using tea bags, cut the 2 tea bags open, add the tea and discard the bags. If using loose tea, grind the leaves until fine. Whisk to mix.
    • Add cold butter, grated or cubed into small pieces. Using your fingers, a pastry cutter or a fork, press the butter and the dry ingredients together until you get the consistency of pear-sized crumbs. Do not overwork the dough: that will give you tough scones.
    • In a small bowl, add the egg and Earl Grey or vanilla extract and quickly whisk them together.
    • Add egg mixture to large bowl, and using your hands, combine the ingredients.
    • Add heavy cream and, with your hands, mix until ingredients are combined and dough starts to form.
    • Turn the dough into a floured surface and form a disk, about 1 to 1 ½ inch thick. Use a bench scraper or sharp knife to divide disk into 8 triangles.
    • Place shaped scones in the baking sheet, and bake them for 15 to 18 minutes, until lightly golden on top. Do not bake for more than 18 minutes.
    • Remove them from the oven and allow the scones to cool for 30 minutes.
    • To make the glaze, stiff the icing sugar to avoid clumps.
    • In a small bowl, combine icing sugar, Earl Grey extract (if using) and lemon juice until glaze forms.
    • Use a spoon or whisk to drizzle the citrus glaze over the scones. Don’t make the glaze ahead: it sets really fast, so make it when ready to pour over the scones.

    Video

    Notes

    When making the glaze:
    • Icing sugar. Do not substitute for caster/granulated sugar: it won't work.
    • Earl Grey extract. If you don't have it, use only lemon juice, or substitute for brewed Earl Grey tea.
    • Lemon juice. It gives a tanginess to this recipe. You can substitute for lime or orange juice.
    Don't have Earl Grey extract? Substitute for vanilla extract.
    Expert tips for making scones:
    • Preheat the oven;
    • Grate or cube the butter and freeze for an hour.
    • Don’t overwork the dough;
    • Don’t overbake your scones.
    Tips for baking during summer or in a warm kitchen:
    • Freeze your butter;
    • Instead of preheating before starting the recipe, make the dough, shape scones, and place them in the freezer. Then, preheat the oven while they keep cool. When preheated, bake them as instructed.
    Recipe variations:
    • Earl Grey Lavender Scones. Add lavender extract to the glaze instead of Earl Grey extract. Ad half a cup of white chocolate chips after adding the egg.
    • Raspberry Earl Grey Scones. Add a cup of frozen raspberries when making the dough, right after adding the egg.
    • Blackberry Earl Grey Scones. Add half a cup of frozen blackberries, half a cup of white chocolate chips when making the dough, right after adding the egg.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1sconeCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 68gProtein: 5gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 68mgSodium: 336mgPotassium: 73mgFiber: 1gSugar: 38gVitamin A: 604IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 111mgIron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Anonymous

      August 31, 2024 at 9:33 am

      5 stars
      Absolutely delicious, I’ll be making this again!

      Reply
    2. Ava

      November 29, 2023 at 1:28 am

      I'm a bit confused. In the ingredients, you list that two tea bags are needed but in the first step of the instructions, you say to leave tea bags to soak in the cream overnight, then in step three, you say to add the loose tea (from the tea bags) to the dry ingredients. How many tea bags am I using altogether? And how many am I using in the cream compared to what I'm adding to the dry ingredients? Kindly clarify, I can't wait to try these 😋

      Reply
      • Tatiana Kamakura

        December 04, 2023 at 10:34 am

        My bad, Ava! It's 4 tea bags, I'm updating it right now, thanks for letting me know!

        Reply
    5 from 9 votes (8 ratings without comment)

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