By using ethylenediamine as carbon source and nitrogen source, and 4-hydroxyphenylboronic acid as boron dopant, the boron and nitrogen -doped carbon dots (B,N-CDs) were synthesized in one step using a microwave -assisted method. Its morphology and optical properties were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, ultraviolet -visible absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, respectively. The maximum excitation and emission wavelengths of the carbon dots were 400 nm and 510 nm, respectively. By taking quinine sulfate as a reference, the relative quantum yield of the carbon dots was 9.94%. The presence of Fe3+ could quench the fluorescence of the B,N-CDs, and the fluorescence recovery took place in the presence of ascorbic acid (AA) by reducing Fe3+ to Fe2+. Based on this, a new fluorescence analysis method for detecting AA was established with good selectivity. The fluorescence recovery degree of B,N-CDs showed a good linear relationship with AA concentration in the range of 1.0-80.0 mu mol/L, and the detection limit was 0.49 mu mol/L (S/N=3). The method was applied to determination of AA in fruit juice with satisfactory results.