If you’re on the hunt for a bright and cheery treat that brings together fruity zing and buttery comfort, these Cranberry Orange Scones absolutely deliver. Each bite of these bakery-style scones bursts with tart cranberries and fragrant orange zest, perfectly balanced by a soft, tender crumb and golden top. They’re quick enough for a weekend breakfast but elegant enough to wow at brunch. Once you see how easy and satisfying homemade Cranberry Orange Scones are, you’ll never look at store-bought the same way!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe features simple, classic ingredients, each one playing a unique role in crafting scones that are rich, flaky, and full of flavor. From the butter (which makes them oh-so-tender) to the pop of citrus, here’s how each component makes these Cranberry Orange Scones irresistible:
- All-purpose flour: Provides the sturdy structure to hold everything together, resulting in soft but stable scones.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough just enough without overpowering the citrus and cranberry flavors.
- Baking powder: Gives the scones their lovely rise and signature fluffiness.
- Salt: Enhances the flavors and balances the sweetness for a well-rounded taste.
- Cold unsalted butter (cubed): The secret to a melt-in-your-mouth, tender crumb; cold butter creates little pockets of flakiness.
- Dried cranberries: Bring tangy sweetness and gorgeous color speckled throughout the scones.
- Orange zest: Delivers bright, aromatic notes in every bite—don’t skimp on this!
- Heavy cream: Adds luxurious richness, helping to bind and moisten the dough.
- Large egg: Contributes to the structure and ensures a slightly richer dough.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavors and gives an extra touch of warmth and depth.
- Coarse sugar for topping (optional): Sprinkled over the top for a crisp, sparkly finish.
How to Make Cranberry Orange Scones
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Sheet and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. This not only prevents sticking, but also helps the scones bake up golden without over-browning on the bottom. It’s a little prep step that makes all the difference for professional-looking Cranberry Orange Scones.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Don’t rush this part! Whisking ensures the leavening is evenly distributed, so your scones rise perfectly and get that dreamy, delicate crumb.
Step 3: Cut in the Butter
Add cold, cubed unsalted butter to the flour mixture. Use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to blend it in just until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. This is the secret to flakiness—those little bits of butter melt as the scones bake, creating gorgeous layers.
Step 4: Add Cranberries and Orange Zest
Stir in the dried cranberries and orange zest until evenly distributed. The cranberries offer a tart pop in every bite, while the zest perfumes the whole mixture with citrusy brightness. Your kitchen will smell absolutely heavenly at this point!
Step 5: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a small bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, egg, and vanilla extract. This trio adds rich flavor and helps bring the dough together without making it too sticky or dense.
Step 6: Bring the Dough Together
Pour the wet ingredients into your dry mixture and gently stir with a spatula until just combined. Don’t overmix! The dough should look somewhat shaggy for extra-tender scones. Overworking can lead to toughness, so stop as soon as everything is mostly moistened.
Step 7: Shape and Cut Scones
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead it a few times—no more than necessary to bring it together. Pat it into a roughly 8-inch circle, then use a sharp knife or bench scraper to cut into 8 equal wedges. This classic wedge shape helps the scones bake evenly and look irresistible.
Step 8: Top and Bake
Arrange the wedges on your lined baking sheet, leaving some space between them. Brush the tops lightly with a bit of extra cream and sprinkle with coarse sugar if desired. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until the tops are beautifully golden. Let them cool slightly before serving—good luck resisting the aroma wafting through the kitchen!
How to Serve Cranberry Orange Scones
Garnishes
For a finishing touch, consider a drizzle of simple orange glaze—just whisk powdered sugar with a bit of fresh orange juice until smooth, then zig-zag it over the top once the scones have cooled a bit. A sprinkle of more orange zest or extra cranberries adds another pop of color and flavor.
Side Dishes
Cranberry Orange Scones pair perfectly with a steaming mug of coffee or a pot of your favorite tea. They’re also wonderful alongside fresh fruit, a small bowl of Greek yogurt, or a simple fruit salad for a complete breakfast or brunch spread.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to get creative, turn your Cranberry Orange Scones into a brunch centerpiece! Stack them on a tiered cake stand, nestle them in a linen-lined basket, or wrap individual scones in parchment and tie with twine for a beautiful homemade gift. They shine at potlucks, tea parties, or just as a pick-me-up treat shared with friends.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If, by some chance, you have scones left over, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. They’ll stay soft and flavorful, especially if you keep them from drying out.
Freezing
These scones freeze beautifully! Once completely cool, wrap each scone tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to two months. To enjoy, let them thaw at room temperature, or warm them gently in the oven as described below.
Reheating
To recapture that just-baked magic, pop leftover Cranberry Orange Scones into a 300°F (150°C) oven for about 8-10 minutes, or until warmed through. You can also microwave them for about 15-20 seconds, but the oven method will help restore their lovely crisp edges.
FAQs
Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried?
Absolutely! Just chop the fresh cranberries in half and toss them with a bit of flour before adding to the dough—this helps them stay suspended instead of sinking during baking. You may find the scones slightly juicier and tangier with fresh cranberries, which is a delicious twist.
Can I make Cranberry Orange Scones gluten-free?
You can swap in a good-quality 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend in place of the all-purpose flour. Results will vary depending on your brand, but most gluten-free users report great success with this swap. Make sure to check baking powder for gluten if needed.
Why does the butter need to be cold?
Cold butter is key to getting those classic scone layers. As the scone bakes, the bits of cold butter melt, creating pockets of steam and resulting in a light, flaky texture. If the butter is too warm, it blends into the flour and gives you dense, heavy scones.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dough and cut it into wedges, then refrigerate it covered overnight. Simply bake straight from the fridge (you may need to add a couple more minutes to the bake time). This trick is especially handy if you want fresh Cranberry Orange Scones first thing in the morning!
Is it possible to make smaller, bite-size scones?
Definitely! Simply shape your dough into a rectangle or square and cut into smaller triangles or squares to make mini scones. Keep an eye on baking time as they’ll bake faster—start checking at around 10 minutes.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend these Cranberry Orange Scones enough for breakfast, brunch, or anytime you crave a homemade treat that’s bright, tender, and bursting with flavor. They’re simple to make but feel truly special, so gather your ingredients, fire up the oven, and get ready to delight yourself and your loved ones with a fresh batch. Happy baking!
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Cranberry Orange Scones Recipe
- Total Time: 33 minutes
- Yield: 8 scones 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight your mornings with these tender Cranberry Orange Scones. The perfect balance of tangy cranberries and bright orange zest in a buttery, flaky scone.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 2/3 cup heavy cream
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Topping:
- 1 tablespoon coarse sugar for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut in cold butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add Flavor: Stir in cranberries and orange zest.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk cream, egg, and vanilla. Pour into dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Shape and Bake: Turn dough onto floured surface, knead lightly, pat into a circle, cut into wedges. Place on baking sheet, brush with cream, sprinkle sugar, and bake for 15-18 minutes until golden.
- Cool and Serve: Let scones cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- For added sweetness, glaze scones with an orange glaze made from powdered sugar and fresh orange juice.
- If using fresh cranberries, coat them lightly in flour to prevent sinking in the dough.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 scone
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 11g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
