Bright & Tangy Cranberry Orange Scones Recipe / Sunshine Baking

Baking fresh cranberry orange scones brings pure morning delight that deliciously elevates breakfast treats.

Tart cranberries dance through buttery dough, creating bursts of bright flavor.

These scones combine the zesty tang of citrus with sweet, crumbly pastry.

Rich, golden edges promise a satisfying crunch with every bite.

Warm spices and vibrant fruits meld into a perfect companion for your coffee or tea.

Quick to prepare and impossible to resist, these scones will become your new favorite morning indulgence.

Savor each tender, flaky morsel and let your taste buds celebrate.

FAQs

• What ingredients make cranberry orange scones unique?

Dried cranberries and fresh orange zest provide bright, tangy flavor that elevates these scones beyond traditional breakfast pastries. The combination creates a perfect balance of sweet and tart notes.

• How do I know when the scones are properly mixed?

The dough should look shaggy and just combined – do not overmix. When you see small butter pieces and the mixture barely holds together, that’s the ideal consistency for tender, flaky scones.

• Can I make these scones ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough, shape the wedges, and refrigerate overnight. When ready to bake, place the cold scones directly into the preheated oven and add 2-3 minutes to the baking time.

• Why is using cold butter important in this recipe?

Cold butter creates pockets of steam during baking, which helps produce light, flaky layers in the scones. Cutting the cold butter into small pieces ensures even distribution and optimal texture.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1518 minutes

Total Time: 25 hours 33 minutes

Calories: 300 kcal

Servings: 8

Cranberry Orange Scone Ingredient Essentials

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the sturdy base that gives scones their classic tender-yet-crumbly texture, choose unbleached flour for the best flavor.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a golden-brown exterior, look for fine-crystal sugar for smooth mixing.
• Baking Powder: Acts as theal rising agent that makes scones light and fluffy, ensure it's fresh for maximum lift.
• Salt: Enhances all the other flavors and balances the sweetness, use fine sea salt for even distribution.

• Heavy Cream, Egg: Create rich moisture and help bind the dough together, select farm-fresh eggs and cream for superior taste.
• Orange Zest: Delivers bright, citrusy notes that complement the cranberries, use organic oranges for more intense flavor.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth to the overall flavor profile, choose pure extract over imitation.

• Unsalted Butter: Provides rich, flaky layers and incredible taste, use cold European-style butter for maximum tenderness.
• Fresh Cranberries: Bring tart bursts of fruity excitement, select plump, firm berries with deep red color.
• Powdered Sugar, Orange Juice: Create a silky glaze that adds extra sweetness and citrus zing, use freshly squeezed juice for best results.

Tools That Make Cranberry Orange Scones a Breeze

• Mixing Bowl: Large, sturdy bowl for combining dry and wet ingredients.
• Pastry Cutter or Fingers: Essential for cutting cold butter into flour mixture.
• Whisk: Needed for mixing dry ingredients and preparing wet ingredients.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise measurements for accurate recipe.
• Baking Sheet: Flat pan for baking scones.
• Parchment Paper or Silicone Mat: Prevents scones from sticking.
• Knife or Bench Scraper: Used for cutting dough into wedges.
• Small Bowl: For mixing wet ingredients.
• Zester or Grater: To create orange zest.
• Cooling Rack: Allows scones to cool evenly.

Bake Cranberry Orange Scones with Tender Crumb

• Fire Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 400F and grab a baking sheet. Line it with parchment paper or a silicone mat for easy cleanup.

• Whip Together Dry Mix

Grab a big bowl and toss in flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Give it a quick whisk to blend everything perfectly.

• Crumble in the Butter

Drop in cold, cubed butter and break it down using your fingers or a pastry cutter. Your goal is creating a texture like rough sand.

• Blend Wet Ingredients

In a small bowl, mix heavy cream, egg, vibrant orange zest, and vanilla extract until smooth and fragrant.

• Create the Dough

Pour wet ingredients into dry mixture. Stir gently until just combined. Softly fold in cranberries, being careful not to overwork the dough.

• Shape and Slice

Transfer dough onto a floured surface. Knead briefly, then pat into a round disk about an inch thick. Slice into 8 beautiful wedges and arrange on baking sheet.

• Bake to Golden Perfection

Brush scone tops with a splash of cream. Pop into the oven and bake 15-18 minutes until tops turn a gorgeous golden brown.

• Drizzle with Zesty Glaze

Mix powdered sugar, fresh orange juice, and extra zest until silky. Once scones cool slightly, drizzle with this tangy glaze and enjoy!

Tips to Balance Tart and Sweet in Scones

• Break-Apart Technique: Gently separate scone wedges before baking to ensure crispy edges and even browning.
• Unbaked scone wedges can be frozen for up to 3 months; bake directly from frozen, adding 2-3 extra minutes to cooking time.
• Replace heavy cream with coconut cream and use plant-based butter for a lactose-free version that maintains rich, tender texture.
• Reduce sugar by half and substitute with monk fruit sweetener for a diabetic-friendly breakfast treat that still delivers delicious flavor.
• Prepare scone dough the night before, refrigerate overnight, and bake fresh in the morning for maximum convenience and minimal morning effort.

Serve Scones with Tea or Glaze

• Breakfast Companion: Pair these zesty scones with a steaming cup of Earl Grey tea or freshly brewed coffee for a delightful morning treat.
• Brunch Centerpiece: Arrange scones on a rustic wooden board with small bowls of clotted cream, orange marmalade, and extra cranberry compote for an elegant brunch spread.
• Afternoon Pick-Me-Up: Enjoy these scones as a mid-afternoon snack with a dollop of vanilla-infused whipped cream or alongside a refreshing citrus smoothie for a burst of energy.
• Holiday Gift Idea: Wrap cooled scones in parchment paper, tie with a festive ribbon, and include the recipe for a homemade holiday gift that spreads warmth and cheer.

Store Leftover Scones to Keep Them Soft

• Store scones in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, maintaining their delightful texture and fresh-baked taste.
• Wrap individual scones tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. They'll stay delicious for 2-3 months, ready to thaw and enjoy whenever a craving hits.
• Keep scones at room temperature for 1-2 days in a sealed container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent moisture buildup.
• Warm refrigerated or thawed scones in a 300F oven for 5-7 minutes to restore their crisp exterior and soft, tender interior, making them taste freshly baked.

Zesty Cranberry Orange Scones

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4.5 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Cranberry orange scones blend tangy citrus with sweet-tart berries in a classic British pastry. Delicate crumb and buttery texture make these scones perfect for afternoon tea or weekend brunch.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup (90 g) cranberries (fresh or dried)
• ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter (cold and cubed)
• ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream
• 1 large egg
• ⅓ cup (65 g) granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• zest of 1 orange
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• heavy cream (for brushing)
• 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar (for orange glaze)
• 2 tbsps fresh orange juice (for orange glaze)
• ½ tsp orange zest (for orange glaze)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to create a non-stick surface for perfect scone baking.
2. Dry Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt, establishing a foundational dry ingredient base.
3. Butter Integration: Skillfully work cold butter into the dry ingredients using fingertips or a pastry cutter until the mixture transforms into coarse, uneven crumbs.
4. Liquid Fusion: Whisk together heavy cream, egg, orange zest, and vanilla extract in a separate bowl, creating a fragrant liquid blend.
5. Dough Formation: Delicately fold wet ingredients into dry components, minimizing mixing to preserve a tender dough texture, then gently incorporate cranberries for even distribution.
6. Shaping: Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface, knead briefly to form a cohesive mass, then shape into a one-inch thick circular form and divide into eight equal wedges.
7. Pre-Baking Preparation: Carefully position scones on the prepared baking sheet with slight separation, then brush tops with additional heavy cream to promote golden browning.
8. Baking Process: Slide the baking sheet into a preheated 400F (200C) oven, baking for 15-18 minutes until scones develop a rich, golden exterior.
9. Glazing Finale: While cooling, craft a zesty glaze by whisking powdered sugar with fresh orange juice and zest, then artfully drizzle over the scones to create an appetizing finish.
10. Serving: Present the scones warm or at room temperature, allowing the vibrant flavors and delicate texture to shine through.

Notes

• Butter Temperature Control: Use extremely cold butter for the most flaky, tender scone texture – cut butter into small cubes and freeze briefly before mixing to ensure ideal consistency.
• Minimal Mixing Magic: Avoid overmixing the dough, which can develop gluten and create tough scones – stir just until ingredients combine for delicate, light results.
• Precision in Cutting: Use a sharp knife or bench scraper when dividing dough into wedges to maintain clean, crisp edges and even baking.
• Glaze Consistency Trick: Add orange juice to powdered sugar gradually to achieve the perfect drizzling thickness – start with small amounts and adjust as needed for smooth, glossy finish.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 14 g
• Sodium: 210 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg