Orange Cranberry Scones

Making your own scones is not hard. So breathe easy and crank up the oven for the perfect breakfast and snack. Then enjoy the incredible aroma as cranberries and orange zest get together for unforgettable holiday flavor.

Course Dessert/Snack

Cuisine Scottish

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 20

Total Time 35

Servings

Calories 523kcal

Author Imma

Ingredients

Orange Cranberry Scones

2½ cups (300g) all-purpose flour
¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
1 tablespoon (12g) baking powder
1 teaspoon (6g) salt
2 tablespoons (12g) orange zest (from about one orange)
8 tablespoons (113g) unsalted butter (cold or frozen and cut into small chunks)
½ cup (55g) dried cranberries (fresh and frozen will also work)
½ cup (120g) heavy cream plus more for brushing the scones
2 large eggs

Orange Glaze

1 tablespoon (6g) orange zest
2-3 tablespoons (30-45ml) orange juice
1 cup (120g) confectioners' sugar, sifted
1 tablespoon (14g) unsalted butter, softened

Instructions

Orange Cranberry Scones

Preheat oven to 400°F (205℃).
Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and orange zest in a large mixing bowl.
Quickly cut the butter into the flour mixture using your fingertips or a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs; this might take about 3 to 5 minutes.
Mix in the cranberries.
Make a well in the center of the bowl and add heavy cream and eggs. Stir with your hands or a rubber spatula until it forms a rough ball (about one minute), being careful not to overmix.
Transfer dough onto a floured board or surface; then knead 3-4 times, just enough for it to come together.
Gently press the dough down to 1 inch thick, then use a 2-inch round cookie cutter or a glass to cut out the scones into thick circles, press remaining scraps into another whole piece, and cut again until the dough has been used up. You can also cut the dough into eight wedges, like traditional scones, with a knife or bench scraper.
Bake at 400°F (205℃) for 15-20 minutes or more until lightly browned. Start checking after 12 minutes.
Remove, let it cool on a wire rack for about 5 minutes, and serve warm or let it cool completely before proceeding with the glaze.

Orange Glaze

Whisk together orange juice, orange zest, confectioner's sugar, and softened butter in a small bowl until smooth.
Add more sugar or juice, if needed, to reach the desired consistency. It should be slightly thick.
Glaze the cooled scones and let them sit for about a minute before serving.

Notes

Try to use as little liquid as possible for lighter scones. The dough should be moist enough to stick together but not so wet that it sticks to your hands.
Preheating the oven is essential for good scones.
Please remember that the nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on the products used in the recipe.

Nutrition