Easy Vegan Lemon Scone Recipe with Lemon Glaze

These lemon scones are so good. The first time I made them, they didn't last a full day in my house. I had to make another batch! They are soft and buttery, and the sweet lemon glaze takes them over the top. I hope you enjoy them!

Why You'll Love These Scones

• Vegan-friendly with aquafaba as the egg replacer
• Delicate lemon flavor in every layer—from the dough to the glaze
• Simple ingredients, minimal fuss
• Crisp edges, soft center, and perfectly sweet

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Ingredients To Make Vegan Lemon Scones

• Aquafaba (liquid from a can of chickpeas)
• Vegan Butter
• Unsweetened Almond Milk (or any plant-based milk)
• Lemon
• Vanilla Extract
• All-Purpose Flour
• Cane Sugar
• Baking Powder
• Salt
• Powdered Sugar

What Is Aquafaba?

Aquafaba is the thick, starchy liquid found in a can of chickpeas (or garbanzo beans), and it’s a secret weapon in vegan baking. This magical liquid mimics the structure and binding power of egg whites—making it perfect for recipes like scones that need a soft, tender crumb.

How to Use Aquafaba as an Egg Substitute:

• 1 Tbsp (15 mL) = 1 egg yolk
• 2 Tbsp (30 mL) = 1 egg white
• 3 Tbsp (45 mL) = 1 whole egg

In this recipe, aquafaba helps bind the dough and create a soft, fluffy texture without needing any animal products.

Why Fresh Lemons Matter

Lemons are the heart of this recipe—bringing brightness, zing, and that unmistakable citrus aroma to each bite. Both the zest and juice play crucial roles in delivering bold lemon flavor without overpowering the buttery scone texture.

Here's Why Fresh Lemons Make a Difference:

• Zest First! Always zest your lemons before cutting and juicing. It’s much easier and ensures you don’t miss out on the flavorful oils in the peel.
• Skip the Bottled Juice: Bottled lemon juice lacks the freshness and intensity of flavor you get from a freshly squeezed lemon.
• Lemon Zest = Maximum Citrus Flavor: The zest holds essential oils that add a natural, fragrant boost no juice can replicate.

Fresh lemons don’t just enhance the taste—they define it. That vibrant citrus burst is what makes these vegan scones stand out.

Why Cold Butter Is Essential

If you want scones that are tender, flaky, and perfectly golden, cold butter is non-negotiable. It’s the key to achieving that bakery-style texture that melts in your mouth.

What Cold Butter Does:

• Creates Flaky Layers: As the scones bake, cold bits of butter melt and create steam pockets, which result in light, flaky layers.
• Prevents Greasiness: Warm or melted butter blends too much into the dough, making the scones dense and oily instead of tender and structured.
• Keeps the Dough Manageable: Cold butter helps prevent the dough from becoming too sticky when you’re shaping and cutting it.

Pro Tip: Keep your cubed butter in the fridge until the moment you're ready to mix it in. And if your kitchen is warm, chill the dough briefly before baking to keep everything cool and flaky.

The Role of Salt in Baking

Salt might seem like a minor ingredient, but it plays a big part in flavor balance—especially in baked goods like scones. Even a small amount can enhance the sweetness, bring out the brightness of lemon, and add depth to the overall flavor.

Why You Shouldn’t Skip It:

• Balances Sweetness: Salt tones down the sugar so your scones taste nuanced, not cloying.
• Enhances Citrus: It sharpens the lemony notes, helping the zest and juice shine.
• Improves Texture: Salt can also subtly affect the structure of baked goods, making them more satisfying to bite into.

Whether you're using sea salt, kosher salt, or fine table salt—just make sure it’s in there. It’s the behind-the-scenes flavor booster your scones need.

Plant-Based Milk (Almond Milk)

• Why It’s Important: Almond milk (or any unsweetened plant-based milk) adds moisture to the dough without overwhelming the flavor. It also helps bind the ingredients and creates a soft, tender crumb.
• Why Unsweetened?: Using unsweetened milk ensures that the scones maintain their balance between tart lemon and sweetness, without extra sugar added.

Baking Powder

• Why It’s Important: Baking powder is the leavening agent that helps the scones rise and become fluffy. It’s essential for creating that light, tender texture.
• Pro Tip: Be sure to check the expiration date of your baking powder to ensure your scones rise properly!

Vanilla

• Why It’s Important: Vanilla provides a subtle depth to the flavor of your scones, balancing out the tartness of the lemon and the sweetness of the sugar. It brings a cozy warmth to the overall flavor profile.

Powdered Sugar (for Glaze)

• Why It’s Important: Powdered sugar is the key ingredient for making a smooth, pourable glaze. It dissolves easily and creates that glossy, sweet finish that complements the tartness of the lemon in the scones.
• Why Not Granulated Sugar?: Powdered sugar is more refined and turns into a silky smooth glaze, while granulated sugar would make it gritty.

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How to Make Vegan Lemon Scones

1. Prep and Preheat

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Zest your lemons and set aside.

2. Whip the Aquafaba

In a large bowl, use a handheld mixer to whip the aquafaba for about 1 minute until foamy. Add in the milk, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla. Stir to combine.

3. Mix Dry Ingredients

In another bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

4. Cut in the Butter

Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Use a pastry cutter (or your fingers) to work the butter into the flour until crumbly. Some larger butter chunks are okay—that’s what gives flaky texture!

5. Form the Dough

Pour the wet mixture into the dry. Use a spatula or bowl scraper to combine everything until a dough forms. If sticky, add flour 1 tablespoon at a time.

6. Shape and Cut

Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Shape into a 6–7 inch disc, about 1 inch thick. Slice into 8 equal triangles using a sharp knife or pastry cutter.

7. Bake

Place scones 1 inch apart on the prepared sheet. Bake for 14–16 minutes, until lightly golden on the edges. Cool for 5 minutes before glazing.

Make the Glaze

While scones cool, whisk together the glaze ingredients in a bowl. Adjust with extra milk for a thinner drizzle or more powdered sugar for a thicker coating. Stir in the zest last.

Glazing Tip:

Flip each scone and dip the top into the glaze for full coverage—or drizzle generously from above. Let them set on a cooling rack so the glaze can drip and harden slightly.

Serving & Storage

• Best served fresh, but they’ll keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
• For longer storage, refrigerate and reheat in a toaster oven for that crisp edge.

Pairs beautifully with:

A cup of earl grey, chamomile tea, or even a chilled oat milk latte.

Pro Tips for the Best Vegan Lemon Scones

Getting the perfect scone texture and flavor comes down to a few small but important details. Here are my top tips to ensure your lemon scones turn out bakery-worthy every time:

• Zest First, Juice Second
  Always zest your lemons before cutting them—it's much harder to zest once they’re juiced!
• Use Fresh Lemons Only
  Skip the bottled lemon juice. Fresh lemons give that vibrant, zesty flavor that bottled juice just can’t match.
• Don’t Skip the Glaze (Unless You Must)
  These scones are still delicious without it, but the lemon glaze adds a bright, sweet layer that really takes them to the next level.
• Lighter Glaze Option?
  Halve the glaze ingredients for just a whisper of lemony sweetness.
• Want a Thicker Glaze?
  Use only 1 tablespoon of milk to create a richer, more frosting-like consistency.