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Cranberry orange scones are a tasty treat that’s perfect for breakfast or tea time. These flaky pastries have a bright, zesty flavor from fresh orange zest and tangy cranberries. You can easily make delicious cranberry orange scones at home with just a few simple ingredients.
The key to great scones is using cold butter and not overworking the dough. This keeps them light and crumbly. You can use fresh or dried cranberries, depending on what’s available. A sweet orange glaze on top adds an extra burst of citrus flavor.
Exact Ingredients (Cranberry Orange Scones) + Possible Substitutes
Here’s what you’ll need to make cranberry orange scones:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup cold butter
- 3/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 tablespoon orange zest
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 large egg
Don’t have everything? Try these swaps:
- Use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose for a nuttier taste.
- Swap dried cranberries for fresh ones or even blueberries.
- No heavy cream? Buttermilk or half-and-half work too.
For the orange glaze, you’ll need:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons fresh orange juice
Can’t find orange juice? Lemon juice makes a tasty alternative.
Remember, cold butter is key for flaky scones. If you’re out, try frozen grated butter.
Want to cut calories? Use low-fat milk instead of cream, but your scones might be less rich.
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, mix 2 cups of flour, 1/3 cup of sugar, 1 tablespoon of baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
Grate 1/2 cup of frozen butter into the bowl. Use a pastry cutter to mix it into the dry ingredients until it looks like coarse crumbs.
Stir in 3/4 cup of dried cranberries and the zest of one orange.
In a separate bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup of heavy cream and 1 egg. Pour this into the flour mixture.
Gently stir until the dough comes together. Don’t overmix!
Shape the dough into a circle on a floured surface. Cut it into 8 wedges.
Place the wedges on your prepared baking sheet. Brush the tops with a little cream.
Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown. Let them cool for a few minutes.
While cooling, make a glaze by mixing powdered sugar with orange juice. Drizzle it over your warm scones.
Enjoy your homemade cranberry orange scones with a cup of tea or coffee!
Tips, Tricks & Storing
Make sure your butter is very cold before mixing it into the dough. This helps create flaky scones.
Don’t overmix the dough. Mix just until the ingredients come together to keep your scones tender.
Use a light touch when shaping the dough. Overworking it can make your scones tough.
For extra flavor, try adding some orange zest to the dough along with the cranberries.
Brush the tops of your scones with cream or milk before baking. This gives them a nice golden color.
To store your scones, keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days.
You can freeze baked scones for up to 3 months. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag.
To reheat frozen scones, thaw them at room temperature and then warm in the oven for a few minutes.
For make-ahead convenience, you can freeze unbaked scone dough. Shape the dough into wedges, freeze on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag.
When ready to bake frozen dough, place the frozen scones on a baking sheet and bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.