Description

These Cranberry Orange Scones are a perfect combination of tart cranberries and vibrant orange zest, baked into a buttery, flaky dough. Ideal for breakfast, brunch, or a cozy afternoon snack, these scones deliver the perfect balance of sweetness and tartness. The recipe is easy to follow and can be customized with various flavor variations or dietary adjustments. Whether enjoyed fresh from the oven with a dollop of butter or drizzled with a simple orange glaze, these scones are sure to become a favorite.

Ingredients

Scale

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar plus more for topping
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup cold butter cubed
1/2 cup fresh cranberries
3/4 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon orange juice
1 tablespoon orange zest
1 cup confectioner’s sugar
3–4 tablespoons orange juice for glaze
1 tablespoon orange zest for glaze

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 400ºF (200ºC). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a nonstick baking mat.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
Cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Fold in the cranberries, then add the cream, orange juice, and zest. Mix until just combined, adding extra cream if needed.
Turn the dough onto a floured surface and shape it into a 1-inch thick disc. Cut into 8 wedges and place on the prepared baking sheet. Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with sugar.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until lightly browned around the edges. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes.
In a bowl, whisk together confectioner’s sugar, orange juice, and zest until smooth. Drizzle the glaze over slightly cooled scones and serve.

Notes

Cold Butter is Key: Keeping the butter cold is essential for creating those signature flaky layers in your scones. If the butter warms up too much while you’re working with it, you can chill the dough for a few minutes before baking to maintain its structure.
Fresh vs. Dried Cranberries: Fresh cranberries offer a juicy, tart flavor that complements the sweetness of the dough. If using dried cranberries, you might want to soak them briefly in hot water or orange juice to plump them up before adding them to the dough.
Orange Zest: Fresh orange zest provides a burst of citrus flavor that permeates the scones. Be sure to zest only the outer layer of the orange skin, avoiding the bitter white pith underneath.
Glaze Option: For a touch of sweetness, you can prepare a quick glaze using powdered sugar and fresh orange juice. Drizzle it over the cooled scones for a bakery-style finish.
Make-Ahead Tip: You can freeze unbaked scones for future use. Shape the dough, freeze the scones on a baking sheet until solid, then store them in an airtight container. When ready to bake, place the frozen scones directly into the oven, adding a few minutes to the bake time.
Vegan and Gluten-Free Adjustments: To make the recipe vegan, substitute the butter with a plant-based alternative and use almond milk or coconut milk instead of heavy cream. For gluten-free scones, replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.