Zesty Cranberry Orange Scones Recipe: A Tangy Morning Treat

These tender, buttery scones burst with zesty orange flavors and tart cranberry orange scones that dance across your taste buds.

Delicate pastry meets vibrant fruit in a delightful morning treat.

Each golden-brown bite promises a perfect balance of sweetness and tang.

The citrus notes brighten the rich, flaky texture, creating a breakfast pastry that feels both elegant and comforting.

Studded with ruby-red cranberries, these scones offer a delectable twist on the classic recipe.

Fresh from the oven, they’ll become your new weekend breakfast obsession.

Serve warm with a dollop of clotted cream or your favorite jam for an irresistible morning indulgence.

Tips for Tender Crumb and Tart Pop

• Freeze butter for 15 minutes before cutting into small cubes to ensure the perfect flaky texture in your scones.
• Replace dried cranberries with fresh blueberries or chopped dried cherries for a delightful flavor variation that keeps the recipe exciting.
• Drizzle a simple orange-powdered sugar glaze over cooled scones by mixing 1 cup powdered sugar with 2-3 tablespoons fresh orange juice for an extra burst of citrusy sweetness.
• Prepare scone dough in advance, cut into wedges, and freeze on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer to a freezer bag and bake directly from frozen, adding 3-5 extra minutes to cooking time for a quick breakfast treat.
• Handle the dough as little as possible to keep scones tender – overmixing can lead to tough, dense pastries that lack the signature light and crumbly texture.

How to Serve These Bright, Fruity Scones

• Breakfast Companion Delight: Pair these cranberry orange scones with a steaming cup of earl grey tea or smooth cappuccino for a luxurious morning experience.
• Morning Brunch Centerpiece: Arrange scones on a rustic wooden board with small dishes of honey, clotted cream, and orange marmalade for an elegant brunch spread.
• Sweet and Savory Combo: Serve alongside crispy bacon or a light fruit salad to balance the scones' sweet and tangy flavor profile, creating a well-rounded breakfast plate.
• Afternoon Tea Elegance: Present these scones on delicate china with a sprinkle of powdered sugar and fresh berries for a sophisticated afternoon tea gathering.

Freezing and Storage Notes for Scones

• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store cooled scones in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days, keeping their delightful texture and flavor intact.
• Freezing Magic: Wrap individual scones in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for a quick breakfast treat.
• Fresh Serving Tip: Reheat refrigerated or thawed scones in a 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes to restore their crispy exterior and soft interior.
• Make-Ahead Wonder: Prepare the dough in advance, shape the wedges, and refrigerate overnight. Bake directly from the cold state, adding 2-3 minutes to the cooking time for perfect golden scones.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20min

Cook Time: 18min

Total Time: 38min

Calories: 223 kcal

Servings: 9

Ingredient Rundown for Cranberry Orange Scones

• Flour: Provides the essential structure and tender crumb for classic scones, choose unbleached all-purpose flour for best texture.
• Sugar: Balances the tartness of cranberries and adds subtle sweetness to the pastry.
• Baking Powder: Creates light, airy lift and ensures scones rise beautifully during baking.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the ingredients.

• Buttermilk: Adds rich tanginess and helps create a soft, tender scone texture.
• Egg: Binds ingredients together and contributes to a golden, rich color.
• Vanilla Extract: Brings depth and warmth to the overall flavor profile.

• Butter: Delivers rich, flaky layers and incredible buttery taste, use cold butter for best results.
• Cranberries: Introduces bursts of tart, bright flavor and beautiful color contrast.
• Orange Zest: Provides bright, citrusy notes that complement the cranberries perfectly.

Baking Tools for Citrus-Fruit Scones

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining dry ingredients and creating scone dough.
• Pastry cutter or fingers: Perfect for breaking cold butter into small crumbs.
• Baking sheet: Lined with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
• Sharp knife: Needed to cleanly cut dough into neat wedges.
• Whisk: Great for blending wet ingredients smoothly.
• Wire rack: Helps scones cool evenly and maintain crisp texture.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient quantities.

Method for Making Orange Scones

• Oven Preparation

Warm up the oven to create a cozy baking environment, setting the stage for delicious scones. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

• Dry Ingredient Blend

Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a spacious mixing bowl. This creates the foundation for your scone masterpiece.

• Butter Magic

Work cold butter into the dry ingredients using your fingertips or a pastry cutter. The goal is a crumbly texture that looks like rough sand.

• Fruity Zest Boost

Sprinkle in vibrant orange zest and tart cranberry pieces. These ingredients will add bursts of flavor and color to your scones.

• Wet Ingredient Fusion

Whisk together buttermilk, egg, and vanilla in a separate bowl. This liquid mixture will bind the scone dough and add moisture.

• Dough Creation

Gently mix wet and dry ingredients until just combined. Avoid overworking the dough to keep the scones tender and light.

• Shaping Adventure

Transfer the dough to a floured surface. Shape into a circular disk about an inch thick, ready for cutting.

• Scone Formation

Slice the dough into eight triangular wedges. Carefully move each piece to the prepared baking sheet.

• Golden Baking

Bake until the scones turn a beautiful golden brown, filling your kitchen with an irresistible aroma.

• Cooling Moment

Let the scones rest on a wire rack, allowing them to set and develop their full flavor profile before serving.

Tender Cranberry Orange Scones

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• Total Time: 38min
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Homemade cranberry orange scones combine zesty citrus notes with tart berries in a classic British pastry. Delicate crumb and golden edges invite bakers to savor these elegant breakfast treats that complement morning coffee perfectly.

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Ingredients

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• 2 cups (480 ml) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (150 g) cranberries, fresh or frozen, coarsely chopped
• ⅓ cup (67 g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (120 ml) buttermilk
• ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces
• 1 large egg
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) baking powder
• ½ tsp (2.5 ml) salt
• 1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract
• Zest of 1 orange

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Instructions

1. Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for even baking.
2. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl to create a uniform dry base.
3. Butter Integration: Cut cold butter into the dry mixture using fingertips or a pastry cutter until the texture resembles coarse breadcrumbs.
4. Flavor Infusion: Gently fold in dried cranberries and freshly grated orange zest, distributing evenly throughout the mixture.
5. Liquid Binding: Whisk buttermilk, egg, and vanilla extract in a separate bowl until completely smooth and well-combined.
6. Dough Formation: Pour wet ingredients into dry mixture, stirring minimally to prevent overworking the dough, creating a shaggy but cohesive blend.
7. Shaping and Cutting: Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface, gently pat into a circular disc about 1-inch thick, then slice into 8 precise wedges.
8. Baking Process: Arrange scone wedges on prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each piece, and bake for 15-18 minutes until edges turn golden brown and crisp.
9. Cooling and Serving: Transfer baked scones to a wire rack, allowing them to cool and set for optimal texture and flavor development.

Notes

• Butter Temperature Matters: Use extremely cold butter, straight from the refrigerator, to create those signature flaky, tender scone layers that melt in your mouth.
• Minimal Mixing Magic: Stir the dough just until ingredients combine; overmixing leads to tough, dense scones that lack the desired light, delicate texture.
• Zest for Flavor: Generously grate fresh orange zest to infuse vibrant citrus notes that beautifully complement the tart cranberries.
• Freezing Technique: For extra-crisp edges, pop the shaped scones in the freezer for 15 minutes before baking to help them maintain a perfect shape and create a stunning golden exterior.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 223
• Sugar: 7.4 g
• Sodium: 164 mg
• Fat: 10.2 g
• Saturated Fat: 6.1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4.1 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30.5 g
• Fiber: 1.3 g
• Protein: 3.8 g
• Cholesterol: 37 mg