Blackberry Scones

Blackberries are abundant in the fields and lanes. What better way to spend a late summer's day than blackberrying and then making Blackberry Scones to enjoy with a cup of tea? A great way to get the kids involved too.

This lemon Blackberry Scone recipe is best made with fresh blackberries and eaten on the day you make them.

Be careful where you pick blackberries

My grandfather always told me not to pick the blackberries near the ground because dogs might have peed on them. Recently I discovered another hazard.  

My greyhound, Billy, who is very picky about his food, and has never knowingly eaten fruit or veg, suddenly started gobbling the blackberries from the bush while I was picking them. In all the years I've been picking berries while taking him for a walk I've never known him to show any interest, but for some reason, wild blackberries are his new favourite food. So don't pick below greyhound head height.

Key Ingredients in Blackberry Scones

Blackberries - wild or store-bought

A dry summer affects wild blackberries. They aren't as big or juicy as usual, but they are ideal for making Blackberry Scones. And the really brilliant thing about scones is that less than 45 minutes from thinking about them they will be ready to eat, piping hot from the oven, ready for the butter to melt.

If you get carried away with picking too many blackberries, wash them, dry on kitchen paper and spread on a tray to freeze. Keep in a plastic box or bag for 6 months (although I'm still using last year's bumper harvest and they're fine). Use in crumbles or pies.

Lemon zest

Blackberries don't have the strongest flavour, so adding lemon zest enhances what there is and adds a slight citrus tang.

Butter

The flavour of any bake is better with butter, especially scones which don't have a strong flavour.

Secrets of Success

Using fresh fruit in scones

The problem with using fresh fruit in cakes and biscuits is that the moisture in them is variable, and too much can stop cakes or scones rising properly, or can make biscuits fall apart. (That's why I use dried raspberries in White Chocolate & Raspberry Cookies.) Blackberries from a dry summer are ideal for scones though. If you're buying blackberries, they may still be big and juicy, so will cook a bit differently.

Use frozen butter in scones

I picked up this tip fairy recently and it has changed the way I make scones (and fruit crumbles). You grate the butter into the flour and then rub it in as usual. The rubbing-in time is greatly reduced and seems much easier. I suppose it's because the butter is in such small pieces.

It's worth keeping a block of butter in the freezer for scone-making. Grate what you need then put the rest back for next time. There's always something new to learn!

How long do scones keep?

Blackberry Scones, like all scones, are best eaten on the day you make them. They will keep for 2-3 days in an airtight container in the fridge, or freeze as soon as they are cool for up to 3 months.

HELPFUL TOOLS

• I now use an IQ lemon zester. It collects the zest and doesn't grate my knuckles, so the whole process is less painful and less messy.

• Silicone baking mat – Since I bought these mats I've used them every time I bake on a tray. You reduce the washing up, as they go into the dishwasher, you don’t have to grease them as they’re totally non-stick, and you don't need extra flour to roll out on them.

If you like this...

Why don't you try:

Fruit Tea Scone

Fruit Tea Scone is a family-sized scone - perfect served warm with butter and jam. Ready in about 35 minutes, it's easy to make - no rolling or cutting out to do.

Wholemeal Fruit Scones

(Half) Wholemeal Fruit Scones are fruity and not too heavy.

Apple Scone

Large scones are really quick to make. Try this apple scone for tea or for pudding. It's best eaten the day it's made.

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Recipe

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3 from 1 vote

Blackberry Scones

Blackberry Scones are best made with wild blackberries. Easy to find in any hedgerow (or the supermarket).

Prep Time20 minutes mins

Cook Time15 minutes mins

Total Time35 minutes mins

Course: Teatime

Cuisine: British

Servings: 8 scones

Author: Susie@Everyday Cooks

Ingredients

• 1 large egg
• Milk
• 1 lemon, zested
• 200 g self-raising flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder (5ml)
• ½ teaspoon salt (2.5ml)
• 50 g frozen butter
• 50 g caster sugar
• 100 g blackberries

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Equipment

Lemon zester

Baking sheet

Magic Liner

or

Silicone baking mat

Instructions

Preparation:

• Preheat the oven to 220°C/ 200°C fan/ gas mark 7/ 425°F
• Grease a large baking sheet with butter or use a silicone baking mat
• Put the egg into a measuring jug or cup and make up the volume with milk to 125ml. Beat with a fork until the egg is incorporated
• Grate the rind from the lemon.

For the Blackberry Scones:

• Add the salt and baking powder to the flour and stir well. Grate the butter and rub into the flour until all the butter is incorporated and the mixture looks like fine breadcrumbs
• Stir in the sugar and lemon rind. Add the egg/milk mixture, reserving 1 teaspoon (5ml) to glaze the scones, and mix to give a fairly sticky dough
• Add the blackberries and mix them in gently with your hands

  Blackberries are very delicate so don't overmix
• Coat your hands in flour and mould the dough into a disc. Place on the baking sheet and flatten with your hands to make a circle of about 17cm (7 ins.) in diameter
• Cut the disc into 8 portions and move them apart on the baking sheet. They're sticky so you'll need to use a palette knife or fish slice to move them. Neaten the edges if you like and brush the tops with the extra egg/milk mix
• Cook for 10 minutes. Turn the oven down to 200°C/ 180°C fan/ gas mark 6/ 400°F and cook for a further 3-5 minutes until slightly brown on top
• Cool on a wire rack, or serve when still warm with butter or cream.

Notes

Ingredients:

Butter - using grated frozen butter makes the mixing in quicker and gives a lighter texture. If you don't have frozen butter, use it straight from the fridge and cut into small pieces before rubbing in.

Storage:

Blackberry Scones, like all scones, are best eaten the day you make them. They will keep for 2-3 days in an airtight container in the fridge, or freeze as soon as they are cool for up to 3 months.