Description
These Cranberry Orange Scones are a delightful blend of tart cranberries and bright citrus zest, creating a perfect balance of flavors in a tender, flaky scone. Ideal for breakfast or a cozy afternoon treat, they are topped with a sweet orange glaze that adds a luscious finishing touch.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, grated and very cold or frozen
- 1/2 cup buttermilk or heavy cream (plus more for brushing on top)
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Flavorings & Add-ins
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 to 2 tablespoons orange juice or milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare Dry Mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder to evenly distribute all dry ingredients.
- Cut in Butter: Using a pastry blender or your fingers, cut the cold grated butter into the dry mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs, ensuring a flaky texture.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together the egg, buttermilk, and vanilla extract to prepare the liquid mixture.
- Mix Dough: Add the wet ingredients along with cranberries and orange zest to the dry ingredients. Stir gently until the dough is moistened and forms a cohesive ball, taking care not to overmix.
- Shape Dough: Lightly flour a surface or parchment paper and press the dough into an 8-inch circle about ¾ inch thick. Brush the top with additional buttermilk to help with browning.
- Cut Scones: Use a sharp knife to cut the circle into 8 equal wedges. Separate the wedges and place them onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat, leaving enough space between for expansion.
- Chill Dough: Refrigerate the scones for 20 minutes to allow the butter to firm up, ensuring a tender flaky texture during baking.
- Preheat Oven: While chilling, preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C) to the correct baking temperature.
- Bake: Bake the scones for 20 to 25 minutes or until they turn golden brown and firm to the touch. Remove from oven and allow them to cool slightly.
- Prepare Glaze: Whisk together powdered sugar, orange juice (or milk), and vanilla extract until smooth. Optionally, add additional orange zest for more vibrant flavor.
- Glaze Scones: Drizzle the glaze generously over the warm scones for a sweet and tangy finish.
- Serve or Store: Serve the scones warm or let them cool completely before storing to keep them fresh.
Notes
- For the best texture, use very cold or frozen butter.
- Frozen cranberries can be used but do not thaw before mixing to prevent color bleeding.
- Chilling the dough before baking helps the scones hold their shape and ensures flakiness.
- The glaze can be customized by adjusting the consistency with more or less orange juice or milk.
- Store scones in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or freeze for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: cranberry scones, orange zest scones, breakfast scones, baked scones, citrus scones
