The Best Cranberry Orange Scones Recipe: Zesty & Sweet Breakfast Joy

Cranberry orange scones bring a delightful burst of tangy sweetness to any morning breakfast spread.

These delectable pastries combine the vibrant zest of citrus with the tart pop of cranberries in a tender, crumbly base.

Bakers love how quickly these scones come together, changeing simple ingredients into a memorable treat.

The delicate balance of flavors creates a harmonious blend that dances across your palate with each bite.

Soft and rich, these scones offer a sophisticated twist on traditional breakfast fare that feels both comforting and elegant.

Home cooks appreciate the minimal effort required to produce such impressive results.

Warm from the oven, these scones promise a delicious start to your day.

The Cranberry Orange Scones You’ll Keep Making

• Burst with Citrusy Brightness: Orange zest and cranberries create a vibrant flavor explosion that dances on your taste buds, delivering a perfect balance of sweet and tangy notes.
• Quick and Effortless Baking: This recipe comes together in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for spontaneous breakfast cravings or last-minute brunch gatherings with minimal kitchen stress.
• Texture Paradise: Crisp golden edges give way to a tender, flaky interior that melts in your mouth, offering a delightful contrast between crunchy exterior and soft, buttery center.
• Versatile Morning Magic: Perfectly paired with coffee or tea, these scones work wonderfully as a breakfast treat, afternoon snack, or elegant dessert that impresses without complicated techniques.

Ingredients for Cranberry Orange Scones

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the base structure and texture for the scones, choose unbleached flour for better flavor.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with browning, regular white sugar works best.
• Baking Powder: Essential leavening agent that helps scones rise and become light and fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the scones.

• Cranberries, Orange Zest: Bright, tangy fruits that add vibrant flavor and color to the scones, use fresh or dried cranberries and freshly grated orange zest.

• Cold Butter: Crucial for creating flaky layers, use unsalted butter straight from the refrigerator for best results.
• Buttermilk: Provides tanginess and helps create a tender crumb, whole buttermilk gives the richest texture.
• Egg: Binds ingredients together and adds richness to the scones.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth of flavor and complements the fruity notes, use pure vanilla extract for best taste.

How to Bake Cranberry Orange Scones

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 400°F (200°C). Grab a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar
• Baking powder
• Salt

Whisk these together until they’re best friends.

Step 3: Create Crumbly Magic

Drop in cold butter chunks. Use your fingertips or a pastry cutter to break down the butter. You’re looking for a texture that looks like rough, sandy crumbs- not too smooth, not too chunky.

Step 4: Add Burst of Flavor

• Chopped cranberries
• Fresh orange zest

Treat these delicate ingredients with love- just a soft mix will do.

Step 5: Blend Wet Ingredients

• Buttermilk
• Egg
• Vanilla extract

Make sure everything is smoothly combined.

Step 6: Bring It All Together

Pour the wet mixture into your dry ingredients. Stir just until everything comes together- don’t go crazy mixing! Overmixing is the enemy of tender scones.

Step 7: Shape Your Masterpiece

Dust your counter with flour. Plop the dough onto the surface and gently shape into a circle about 1 inch thick. Think of it like giving the dough a gentle hug.

Step 8: Create Scone Wedges

Take a sharp knife and slice the circle into 8 perfect wedges. Carefully transfer these triangular beauties to your prepared baking sheet.

Step 9: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the oven. Bake for 15-18 minutes until the scones turn a gorgeous golden brown color.

Step 10: Cool and Enjoy

Let the scones chill on a wire rack. This helps them set and makes them easier to handle. Serve warm!

Secrets to the Best Cranberry Orange Scones

• Chill Butter Strategically: Keep butter extremely cold and work quickly to ensure flaky, tender scone texture.
• Handle Dough Minimally: Mix ingredients just until combined to prevent tough, dense scones from developing.
• Zest with Precision: Use fresh orange zest for maximum citrusy flavor and avoid bitter white pith underneath.
• Create Perfect Wedges: Use a sharp knife and clean cuts to help scones bake evenly and maintain clean edges.
• Freeze Before Baking: Pop shaped scones in freezer for 15 minutes before baking to help maintain their shape and create higher rise.

How to Store and Reheat Cranberry Orange Scones

• Refrigeration: Store leftover scones in an airtight container, lined with paper towels to absorb moisture, for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
• Freezing: Wrap individual scones tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 2 months for maximum freshness and flavor.
• Reheating: Warm refrigerated scones in a preheated 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes, or thaw frozen scones at room temperature before gently reheating to maintain their tender texture and prevent drying out.

Pairing Tips for Cranberry Orange Scones

• Brew Perfect Tea Companion: Steep a warm Earl Grey or chamomile tea to complement the citrusy, tart flavors of these cranberry orange scones. The delicate tea notes will enhance the scones' bright, fruity essence.
• Create Creamy Spread Delight: Whip up a dreamy orange marmalade cream cheese or a vanilla bean butter to slather on these warm, crumbly scones. These rich, smooth spreads will add luxurious depth to each bite.
• Match Zesty Morning Beverage: Pair with a freshly squeezed orange juice or a light citrus smoothie to amplify the scones' orange zest and cranberry tang. The refreshing drink will provide a vibrant morning breakfast experience.
• Elevate with Sweet Glaze: Drizzle a simple orange-infused powdered sugar glaze over the cooled scones for an extra layer of sweetness and citrus punch. This optional topping will transform the scones into an irresistible morning treat.

Fresh Takes on Cranberry Orange Scones

• Lemon Lavender Scones: Swap orange zest with fresh lemon zest and add dried lavender buds for a floral, fragrant twist. Drizzle with lavender-infused glaze for extra flavor.
• Chocolate Hazelnut Scones: Replace cranberries with chopped hazelnuts and dark chocolate chips. Dust with cocoa powder after baking for a rich, decadent experience.
• Blueberry Almond Scones: Substitute cranberries with fresh blueberries and fold in sliced almonds. Top with an almond glaze made from powdered sugar and almond extract for a nutty, sweet finish.
• Maple Pecan Scones: Mix in chopped pecans and replace some sugar with maple syrup. Brush with maple glaze after baking for a warm, autumnal flavor profile.

Cranberry Orange Scones Recipe

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4.6 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 38 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Cranberry orange scones bring British bakery charm to your breakfast table. Zesty citrus and tart berries mingle in a buttery pastry that draws eager bakers and brunch enthusiasts to savor each delightful crumbly bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups (480 ml) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (150 g) fresh or frozen cranberries, coarsely chopped
• ½ cup (120 ml) buttermilk
• ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces

Sugar and Sweeteners:

• ⅓ cup (67 g) granulated sugar

Flavor Enhancers and Binders:

• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) baking powder
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) salt
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla extract
• Zest of 1 orange

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 400°F and arranging a parchment-lined baking sheet for optimal scone placement.
2. Combine the dry ingredients in a spacious mixing vessel, ensuring an even distribution of flour, sugar, leavening agent, and seasoning.
3. Integrate cold butter into the powdery mixture, using fingertips or a specialized pastry tool to create a textured, crumbly consistency.
4. Delicately incorporate vibrant cranberry pieces and fragrant orange zest, gently distributing them throughout the dry blend.
5. Create a liquid mixture by whisking buttermilk, egg, and vanilla extract until thoroughly combined and smooth.
6. Merge the wet and dry components, stirring with minimal manipulation to prevent toughening the dough’s delicate structure.
7. Transfer the loose mixture onto a flour-dusted work surface, carefully shaping into a uniform circular form approximately one inch thick.
8. Utilize a sharp culinary blade to segment the circular dough into eight precise wedges, positioning them strategically on the prepared baking sheet.
9. Roast the scones in the preheated oven, monitoring their transformation until achieving a golden, appetizing exterior.
10. Allow the freshly baked pastries to rest and stabilize on a wire cooling platform, enabling them to reach an ideal serving temperature.

Notes

• Cold butter is crucial for achieving a flaky, tender texture in these scones.
• Avoid overmixing the dough to prevent tough, dense scones – mix just until ingredients are combined.
• Fresh orange zest adds bright, citrusy flavor that complements the tart cranberries perfectly.
• Use buttermilk for extra moisture and a slight tangy undertone in the final baked treat.
• Cut scones into uniform wedges to ensure even baking and consistent texture.
• Let scones cool completely to allow the interior to set and develop a delightful crumbly consistency.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 18 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 310
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 41 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg