Tender, fragrant, and dripping with a sweet vanilla glaze, these Blackberry Earl Grey Scones are an afternoon treat I crave all year long. The soft blackberries, notes of lemony Earl Grey, and buttery bite make every nibble feel like an indulgence—a dramatic upgrade for breakfast or teatime!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Bakery Style at Home: These Blackberry Earl Grey Scones are tender, buttery, and bursting with juicy blackberries—so much better than any coffee shop scone!
Aromatic Twist: The infusion of Earl Grey tea and lemon zest gives these scones a unique, dreamy flavor that’s both comforting and elegant.
Easy but Impressive: You don’t need any fancy tools or complex steps—just a few simple techniques and everyday ingredients!
Crowd-Pleasing and Versatile: Perfect for brunch, gifting, or as a sweet treat alongside your favorite hot beverage.

Blackberry Earl Grey Scones Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in these Blackberry Earl Grey Scones has a delicious purpose—highlighting textures, flavors, and colors you’ll love. Let’s take a look at what goes into making these teatime jewels shine so brightly!

Heavy Cream: Infused with Earl Grey tea, it creates a luscious base for super-tender scones.
Earl Grey Teabags: The signature floral-citrus flavor comes from steeping cream and mixing the tea leaves directly into the dough.
All-Purpose Flour: Provides just the right structure for a soft, flaky scone.
White Sugar: Delicately sweetens each bite and balances the berries’ tang.
Baking Powder: Gives the scones all their signature lift—hello, tender crumb!
Salt: A little goes a long way to enhance every flavor.
Lemon Zest: Fresh zest brings out the bergamot in the tea and brightens the berries.
Cold Unsalted Butter: Essential for layers and buttery richness—keep it cold!
Vanilla: Adds warmth and ties the tea and fruit together beautifully.
Lemon Juice: A splash brings a tangy zip that wakes up all the flavors.
Fresh Blackberries: Juicy, tart bursts of fruit scattered in every wedge—slice large berries if needed.
Heavy Cream (for brushing): Gives a golden, shiny finish on top.
Confectioners Sugar: The base for the velvety vanilla glaze.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

These Blackberry Earl Grey Scones are endlessly adaptable! Don’t be shy about making swaps or tweaks—whether you’re working with what’s already in your pantry, aiming for something seasonal, or adjusting for dietary needs.

Berry Swap: Substitute fresh raspberries or blueberries for blackberries for a delicious variation with a slightly different texture and flavor.
Orange Zest & Juice: Try orange zest and juice instead of lemon for a warm, sunny citrus twist that plays up the tea’s bergamot notes.
Gluten-Free Scones: Replace all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour for a crumbly bite everyone can enjoy.
Lavender Glaze: Stir a pinch of culinary lavender flowers into the glaze for a fragrant extra flourish—perfect for a spring celebration!

How to Make Blackberry Earl Grey Scones

Step 1: Infuse the Cream

Gently heat heavy cream in a small saucepan just until it begins to bubble at the edges (don’t boil!). Remove from heat, submerge 3 Earl Grey teabags, and let steep in the fridge for 1 hour. After steeping, give those tea bags a good squeeze to get all the flavor out, then chill the cream for another hour so it’s cold and ready to use. The result: a deeply aromatic, tea-infused cream that’s sheer magic in your scones.

Step 2: Prepare the Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, combine all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, lemon zest, and the contents of one Earl Grey teabag. Give it all a good whisk—your kitchen will instantly start to smell heavenly thanks to the tea and zest working together!

Step 3: Cut in the Butter

Drop in those cold cubes of unsalted butter. Using a pastry cutter or your fingertips, work the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs or small peas. This is the secret to those gloriously flaky layers—a little texture here is a good thing!

Step 4: Add the Blackberries and Combine

Now scatter the fresh blackberries over the flour-butter mixture. Gently toss to coat—this helps keep berries from sinking and prevents them from bursting before baking. Bigger berries can be halved for even distribution.

Step 5: Finish the Dough

To the chilled, Earl Grey-infused cream, stir in lemon juice and a splash of vanilla. Drizzle this over the flour mixture, tossing with a fork as you go. The dough will seem shaggy—perfect! If any dry patches remain, splash in a bit more cream, just until everything comes together (don’t over-mix!).

Step 6: Shape, Cut, and Chill

Turn the dough onto a generously floured surface. Pat into a 6–7” disk about 1” thick, checking that nothing sticks. Use a sharp knife or bench scraper to cut into 8 wedges. Arrange them on a lined baking sheet and pop them into the fridge for 30 minutes—this helps them hold their shape and bake up extra tall and flaky.

Step 7: Bake and Glaze

Brush the chilled scones with a little cream, then bake at 400°F for 18–22 minutes, until golden and gorgeous on the edges. Let cool completely on a rack before drizzling with the sweet vanilla glaze. Your kitchen will smell like a boutique bakery!

Pro Tips for Making Blackberry Earl Grey Scones

Keeping It Cold: For the flakiest scones, make sure your infused cream and butter stay as cold as possible all the way until the pan goes into the oven.
Gentle Mixing: Toss the dough just until it comes together; overmixing will make the scones dense instead of dreamy and light.
Jagged Cuts for Crispy Edges: When patting out the dough, leave the sides a bit rough—don’t overwork for perfect smoothness. This makes for more golden, craggy edges after baking!
Preventing Soggy Scones: Give your shaped scones a good chill before baking—this keeps the berries juicy inside without spreading all over your baking sheet.

How to Serve Blackberry Earl Grey Scones

Garnishes

An extra drizzle of vanilla glaze gives that tempting “bakery window” effect. For a finishing flourish, top each Blackberry Earl Grey Scone with a sprinkle of lemon zest, a few fresh berries, or even edible dried rose petals if you’re feeling fancy—gorgeous!

Side Dishes

Pair your scones with a pot of warm Earl Grey (for full-on tea party vibes), a dollop of clotted cream, or a swipe of tangy crème fraîche. Fresh fruit salad, lemon curd, or honeyed Greek yogurt are also unforgettable sides at brunch or a sweet treat spread.

Creative Ways to Present

For a pretty brunch, arrange the scones in a circle on your favorite cake stand, scatter with extra berries, and serve with tiny pitchers of glaze for drizzling. Or tuck a few Blackberry Earl Grey Scones into a gift box lined with pretty parchment—a dreamy, homemade hostess gift for any occasion!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Blackberry Earl Grey Scones stay freshest when stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. If your kitchen is warm, tuck them into the fridge to prevent the fruit from turning soft—just let them come to room temp before serving for the best flavor and texture.

Freezing

These scones freeze beautifully! Once completely cooled, wrap each scone individually in plastic and freeze in a zip-top bag for up to two months. Thaw at room temperature or pop in a low oven to refresh before eating.

Reheating

To reheat, simply place the scones in a 300°F oven for 5–7 minutes until warmed through. If you’ve already glazed them, a quick trip in the oven won’t hurt, but you can always add a fresh drizzle of glaze afterward for that just-baked sparkle.

FAQs

Can I use frozen blackberries for these scones?

Yes! Frozen blackberries work well—use them straight from the freezer and toss gently with a bit of extra flour to help prevent too much color bleeding. Avoid thawing, as this can make the dough soggy and difficult to handle.
What’s the best way to cut in the butter if I don’t have a pastry cutter?

Your hands work perfectly—just use your fingertips to quickly rub the butter into the flour, working fast so the butter stays cold. Alternatively, two forks or even a box grater (for grating the cold butter) make great stand-ins!
Can I make Blackberry Earl Grey Scones ahead of time?

Absolutely! Prepare and cut the scone dough, then freeze the wedges on a baking sheet. When ready to bake, just brush with cream and bake from frozen, adding 2–3 minutes to the baking time—fresh scones on demand!
What’s the secret to really soft, tender scones?

The key is keeping the butter and cream cold (chilling the dough helps!), not over-mixing, and baking in a hot oven so the scones rise quickly. Following these tips ensures your Blackberry Earl Grey Scones come out pillowy and perfect every time.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking to dazzle at your next breakfast or tea party, Blackberry Earl Grey Scones are a must-try. Their tender crumb, gorgeous flecks of tea and berries, and sweet vanilla drizzle are pure comfort—yet sophisticated enough to impress! Can’t wait for you to bake, share, and most importantly, savor every bite.