Orange Cranberry Scones with Glaze Recipe
These Orange Cranberry Scones are tender, flaky, and bursting with the vibrant flavors of fresh orange zest and tangy cranberries. Perfect for breakfast or a delightful snack, they’re topped with a sweet and zesty orange glaze that adds a beautiful finishing touch. Easy to make with straightforward ingredients, these scones bake to golden perfection and offer a pleasant balance of citrus and berry in every bite.
- Author: Rami
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 16-18 minutes
- Total Time: 31-33 minutes
- Yield: 8 scones 1x
- Category: Breakfast, Snack, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 2/3 cup heavy cream, plus extra for brushing
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Add-ins
- 1 cup fresh or dried cranberries
Orange Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
- 2–3 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- 1/2 teaspoon orange zest
- Prep Oven and Tools: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and orange zest until well combined and uniform.
- Cut in Butter: Add the chilled, cubed unsalted butter to the dry mixture. Using a pastry cutter or your fingertips, cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs, which will help create flaky layers in the scones.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, egg, and pure vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and fully combined.
- Form Dough: Pour the wet mixture over the dry ingredients. Add the cranberries and gently stir just until everything is incorporated; do not overmix, as this can toughen the dough.
- Shape and Portion Dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently pat it into a 7-inch diameter round about 1 inch thick. Cut the round into 8 equal wedges to form individual scones.
- Arrange and Brush: Place the scone wedges onto the prepared baking sheet spaced apart. Lightly brush the tops with extra heavy cream to promote browning and a slight sheen.
- Bake to Golden: Bake the scones in the preheated oven for 16 to 18 minutes, or until they turn golden brown and feel firm to the touch. Remove from oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before glazing.
- Prepare and Apply Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the sifted powdered sugar, fresh orange juice, and orange zest until smooth. Drizzle this vibrant orange glaze over the cooled scones for a sweet and citrusy finish.
Notes
- For best texture, use cold butter straight from the fridge when cutting into the flour.
- Gently mix the dough to avoid overworking, which keeps the scones tender.
- You can use fresh or dried cranberries depending on what you have on hand.
- Allow scones to cool fully before glazing to prevent the glaze from melting off.
- The orange glaze can be adjusted in consistency with more or less orange juice to your liking.
- Store scones in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or freeze for longer storage.
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