These easy, fluffy lemonade scones are to DIE FOR! A classic British dish, these scones are made with lemonade, making them so light and fluffy! It's like biting into a piece of heaven!
If you've never had a scone (a proper, British scone) you are in for a treat today!
These are actually one of my favourite things to bake for afternoon tea, and bring back so many beautiful childhood memories! These lemonade scones are only 3 ingredients and are perfect for an afternoon tea party, bridal shower or picnic in the park.
3 Ingredient Lemonade Scones
Lemonade Scones Ingredients
These lemonade scones are really easy to make, and only require 3 simple ingredients - lemonade (sprite), cream and self-raising flour. It is essential that you use self-raising flour, because that is the rising agent, and lemonade/Sprite will make them light, fluffy and just a little bit sweet.
Self raising flour is easy to find in most supermarkets. Self-raising flour is more commonly used in Australian baking.
What is 'lemonade?'
This is one of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to making these lemonade scones. There is one very important thing to note.
Lemonade in Australian = Schweppes lemonade
Lemonade in America = Sprite
It's really important that you don't stray from lemonade/sprite as other soft drinks won't work.
Can I make these scones savoury?
Short answer - no. These are sweet scones, because of the lemonade/sprite you use. They taste best with cream and jam. I haven't tried any other variations because I love them just the way they are!
How do I kneed my dough?
The secret to making these super fluffy is not over kneading the dough. To make the dough come together, you want to 'cut' or mix the dough with a knife - this will help you avoid over kneading.
The next secret is when to make sure your surface is floured well when you turn out the dough and don't worry too much about kneading it out of the bowl, simply just turn it out, and lightly press it into a rectangular shape.
I've mentioned this in the recipe notes, but just to confirm, the dough will be sticky! Don't stress, if it's too sticky to work with, just add a little more flour. You should be able to work it so that you can evenly, and cleanly cut rounds out of the dough.
How do I shape my dough for cutting?
You'll want the height of the dough to be about 4cm or about 1.5 inches - this will help them rise even further.
What do I use to cut my dough?
The final secret with these is to not worry about using a fancy scone cutter - a simple wine glass, dipped in flour will work a treat! I use my stemless wine glasses and they make the perfect rounds!
How do I bake my lemonade scones?
Once you've shaped your scones, place them side by side (just touching) in a large baking dish. You need to use a pastry brush to milk wash the top of the scones. They will be baked for 25-30 minutes in a fan forced oven. They should be lightly browned on top.
A good tip for testing them is to lightly tap the tops. If you can hear a 'hollow' sound they should be cooked. I've found that in some of my older ovens, they cooked unevenly so be wary that they may brown unevenly and cooked unevenly.
How do I serve lemonade scones?
These are best served hot, straight away and with as much cream and raspberry jam as possible! We used to have these with a bit pot of tea for afternoon tea and they are SO, so good!
So my friends, happy scone baking - these are the perfect treat for a high tea, a baby shower, bridal shower or for afternoon entertaining! Serve with a pot of tea, or prosecco if you're feeling fancy!
Georgie x x
Want more recipes for high tea? Try these;
- Lavender Blackberry Scones with lemon glaze
- Cheese and Chive Savoury Scones
- Flourless Chocolate Torte (for your GF friends!)
- Simple Quiche Recipe
- Mini Vanilla Meringues with Blackberry Pinot Sauce
📖 Recipe
Easy Lemonade Scones
Ingredients
- 4 ½ cups self-raising flour note 1
- 1 ¼ cups heavy whipping cream cold, (note 2)
- 1 ½ cups sprite/lemonade note 3
- 1 tablespoon milk to brush on top before baking
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F/200C.
- Sift flour into a large bowl.
- Add cream and lemonade.
- With a knife, gently 'mix' or 'cut' the dough until it has been combined (note 4)
- Generously flour a surface, and with floured hands, turn out the dough onto your floured surface.
- Shape into a rectangle, about 4cm/1.5 inches thick.
- Dip a wine glass in flour.
- Cut out rounds and place on a lined baking tray.
- Reshape the extra dough, and keep cutting until the dough runs out. (note 5)
- Brush the tops of the scones with a little milk (note 6)
- Place in oven for 25-35 minutes until golden brown on top (note 7).
- Serve with whipped cream and fresh raspberry jam.
Akiko says
Hi! Your lemonade scones look great. I'd love to bake these with Sprite since I live in the U.S. Do you think diet sprite work well?
Georgie says
Hello! I haven’t tried with diet but can’t think it would be an issue! Let me know how it goes 🙂
Sherri says
Hi! I have been saving all kinds of scones recipes on Pinterest because I’m hoping to have a tea party this spring. I’ve never made scones and this looks easy as well as tasty! I was wondering if it would be ok to add some lemon or orange zest to these? Thank you for sharing your recipe!? I hope to hear from you soon!?Have a good day!?
Georgie says
Hi Sherri! Thank you for your comment! These are my absolute favourite scones in the world! I've never added anything else to these scones apart from the three original ingredients, so I can't say for sure how they would taste. If you wanted to, you could also do a lemon glaze over them with lemon zest which I think would be really nice, but I'm not sure about adding zest to the actual mix. If I was, I'd probably add lemon to compliment the lemonade/Sprite flavour! Let me know how it turns out 🙂
Rae says
Mind is blown that people in Australia don't ride kangaroos to work! ? Sometimes I really wonder about people.
I have to try these scones! As crazy as it sounds, I have this jalapeno-raspberry jam that I think would be perfect with these scones.
Georgie says
ha ha people ask some interesting questions! jalapeno raspberry jam would definitely be interesting!
Mindy Fewless says
I love how easy these are with simple ingredients!! They look delicious!
Georgie says
thanks Mindy, can't argue with only 3 ingredients!
Edyta at Innocent Delight says
Love this recipe. I also love your explanation of differences between scones and biscuits, English and Americans. Seems like I was always confused. 🙂
Georgie says
it was so confusing when we first got here!!! there were so many different things I had to figure out!
Jacqueline Meldrum says
I've made lemonade cookies before but never scones. The scones look fabulous, so light and fluffy!
Georgie says
Lemonade in scones is so delicious! By lemonade in the states though I mean 'Sprite' just to clarify!
Irene Sharon Myburgh. says
I live in SouthAfrica.. I heard of these scones and could not resist trying them..
Unfortunately...the only lemon soda I had in my fridge was a 2ltr. 7Up....it had been used and been in my fridge for 4-5 months.. We moved 3 times.. Ouch...so here goes... I used sour cream...7up bit flat ..so added a 1/4 tsp of extra baking powder... Hoping it would be ok...So I just went for it...My batch was nicely soft and sticky.... Spread it and started cutting ..my scone cutter was a bit small but ok... Made 45 scones out the batch... My husband and all loved them.. My hubby even had some for breakfast with vegimite and butter... Gonna make them again... Thanks.... Irene...
Georgie says
Hi Irene, thank you so much for the feedback! I'm so glad you loved them, and so happy they worked out with your changes!!
Elaine @ Dishes Delish says
I love all scones regardless of where they come from, but I must say that I do prefer British style scones! And these lemonade scones look so delicious!! You are right they are light and fluffy, just as they should be!
Georgie says
thanks Elaine! i prefer the British/Australian type too! although I had this most amazing chocolate chip with salted coffee glazed scone here the other day it was dreamy!
Kitty says
OK, in America, lemonade is basically water, sugar and lemon juice. It sounds like what you want for this recipe is a carbonated drink, because Sprite is a lemon-flavored carbonated beverage, also known as soda or soda pop. It's fizzy. American lemonade is not usually fizzy. So it sounds like any lemon-flavored soda pop will work. Is that right?
Georgie says
Thanks for the clarification, there are a lot of differences between beverages in Australia compared to America. But yes, carbonated works best as it makes the scones light and fluffy. I am actually not familiar with any other carbonated lemon-flavoured sodas in America, that's why I went for Sprite because I knew it would be popular and knew everyone would know what I meant. I have only tried making them with Sprite and it works every time. I know the recipe won't work with anything like 7up or Solo. But i'd be interested to try it with soda water as well.
Peter says
It’s important to realize that in the US, lemonade is what Australians and Brits call lemon squash (if life brings you lemons, make lemonade, etc). What you’re talking about is lemon soda in the US ie. Sprite.
Georgie says
Hi Peter! thanks for the heads up, I am very aware of that hence why I wrote Sprite in the ingredient list 🙂
Agness of Run Agness Run says
These scones are so toothsome, Georgie! Cannot wait to try this fluffy dessert!
Katherine | Love In My Oven says
OMG - do you ride a kangaroo to work!? Hahaha I died laughing reading that. I have visited Australia and absolutely love it there. I wish I had an excuse to move there! I was just thinking of making scones for breakfast tomorrow morning, and am loving this recipe. Luckily I have some lemonade sitting around....can't wait to try this one!
Georgie says
You'd be amazed at how many questions like that I get asked on a daily basis! Someone asked me today if I had a pet Koala ???? I do miss Australia like crazy, it's been amazing having an adventure in the US, but I def miss being home! let me know if you try them! I'd love to get some feedback! x
Emily Weir says
These are the scones I'm used to eating! (My dad is from the UK). All of the scones you buy in America are so overly sweet, they're more like dessert than breakfast. These look super tasty; I'll have to give them a try baking them for my dad!
Georgie says
Thanks Emily! ha ha it took me so long to figure out that a biscuit was a scone shape but not actually a scone! if you get what I mean! Let me know if you do make them! they are seriously yum and freeze really well 🙂
Allie says
Beautiful post George. Xx
Georgie says
Thank you beautiful xx
Lindsay | With Salt and Pepper says
These look so easy!!! I love that you use lemonade, I'm sure that adds an awesome flavor and tastes amazing with the raspberry jam. What a fun memory to have of afternoon tea! I hope my kids have nostalgic memories when they get over, that time is so special!
Georgie says
Thansk Lindsay! I absolutely cherish the moment I spent with my Mum cooking! I can still remember when she used to prop my up on the counter when I was about 3 or 4 years old and show me what to cook! Fast forward 20 something years and we still share so many memories cooking! it's the one thing I miss about not being home!
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen says
OK, I'm dying right now. Have people seriously asked if you ride a kangaroo to work? On a related note, I'm originally from Oregon and, no joke, people have asked me if we still use covered wagons! These scones sounds absolutely delicious! Perfect before a morning of riding that kangaroo!
Georgie says
ha ha ha! oh wow, I didn't realise people thing Oregon is still that backward! So far, the oddest form of transport I've seen here is two gigantic circus style bicycles and the unipiper on his unicycle playing the bagpipes! People have the funniest sterotypes of Australia though! it makes me laugh! You should totally give these scones a try! they are so good!
Nancy Rawlings says
I wonder if you can use Diet Sprite or do you need the sugar from regular Sprite?
Georgie says
Hi Nancy, it shouldn't matter. It's the bubbles you want not necessarily the sugar content. Let me know how they turn out!