Preheat & Prepare:Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Mix Dry Ingredients:In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and lemon zest.
Cut in the Butter:Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to blend until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Combine Wet Ingredients:In a separate bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, egg, vanilla extract, and lemon juice.
Form the Dough:Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
Shape the Scones:Lightly flour a clean surface and turn out the dough. Gently knead 3-4 times to bring it together. Pat it into a 1-inch thick disc, then cut into 8 wedges or use a round cutter for traditional scones.
Bake:Place the scones on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them apart. Brush the tops with a little extra heavy cream for a golden finish. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the tops are lightly golden.
Prepare the Glaze (Optional):While the scones are baking, whisk together the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Cool & Glaze:Let the scones cool for 10 minutes, then drizzle with the lemon glaze if using.
Serve & Enjoy:Enjoy warm with butter, honey, or extra glaze for a delicious citrusy treat!