Cranberry Orange Scones are a delightful treat any time of day. Providing a sweet and tart taste – your family will devour them as quickly as you make them!
I never met a scone I did not like. After all, the mere thought of eating a scone can whisk you off to a relaxing and serene setting where you can enjoy the comfort of your surroundings with a warm cup of tea. Even when eating them on the run, the comfort I get from delicate pastries such as these cranberry orange scones keeps me relaxed and focused for the day ahead.
Okay, maybe I am taking it a bit far, but you get the idea. How can you not enjoy the deliciousness bursting in every cranberry-filled bite of these scones? The origins of the scone date back to Scotland in the early 1500s, experiencing a rich history across many continents. Anything that has been around that long has to be good, right?
What Makes Cranberry Orange Scones the Perfect Bite?
Deciding which scone recipe to make for your family can be a tough choice. However, cranberry orange scones can easily be called the perfect bite because they bring an ideal flavor mix. They have just the right amount of sweetness and an inherent tartness which you get from the orange zest and cranberries.
When you top these scones with a drizzle of orange glaze, each bite bursts with the freshness of a warm summer day. Scones are also a lot of fun to make with your children. Little hands can mix the glaze and use a spoon or spatula to make drizzled patterns atop the cooled scones.
Cold Butter Is the Key to Perfect Scones
If you remember only one crucial aspect of this recipe when making your cranberry orange scones, it is this: USE COLD BUTTER! Unlike some pastry recipes, where you cream room-temperature butter with sugar, for scones, you want to “cut in” cold chunks of butter that will create air pockets while baking. That is what gives scones their flaky and pillowy texture.
The butter chunks should be small, but you can also use a box grater (on the side with the largest holes) to grate your butter. If you choose to use this method, it is best to freeze your butter sticks first. Grating will be easier and faster this way, and I find that “cutting the butter” into the other ingredients requires less effort.
How to Make Ahead and Store
Once baked, cranberry orange scones can be kept in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days. They will last a few days longer if refrigerated, but the texture may change slightly. In sealed freezer bags, you can freeze the baked scones for up to 2 months. You can also make the dough ahead of time, keeping it in the refrigerator for no more than 72 hours before baking. Another option is to prepare the dough, place the individual scones on a cookie sheet, and pop the tray into the freezer. Once frozen, the scones can be stored in freezer bags for up to 2 months before baking.
Can I Use Other Fruit In Place of Cranberries?
Any dried fruit, such as raisins, apricots, pineapple, tart cherries, and dates, will work well with orange scones. If you use dates, you might want to add a teaspoon of cardamom to the dry ingredients. Cardamom and dates go well together. Remember that you want your dried fruit to be in tiny pieces, so chop them by hand or pulse them slightly in a food processor if they are too large.
Can I Use Gluten-Free Flour to Make These Cranberry Orange Scones?
Many recipes can be easily converted to gluten-free using gluten-free baking flour labeled 1 to 1. That means you can substitute an equal amount of GF flour for the flour in the recipe.
Serving Suggestions
Scones are good whenever you want a sweet treat, a bit of relaxation, or a quick and easy on-the-run option. There are also times when you do not want a complete meal but a light lunch or snack. My family loves watching movies, playing games, and putting together puzzles. They usually ask for finger foods like this Easy Spinach Artichoke Dip. I find that serving these cranberry orange scones with the dip provides both salty and sweet options for everyone.
Pulling some scones out of the freezer makes dessert easy on nights when I do not have much time. I find serving meals such as this Easy Goulash Recipe simplifies my life. A one-pot meal and easy dessert make clean-up a breeze, giving me more time to spend with my family.
Cranberry Orange Scones
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 tablespoon grated orange zest
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter 1 stick, cold and cut into chunks
- 1 large egg lightly beaten
- 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon heavy whipping cream divided
- 3/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1 tablespoon coarse sugar optional, for sprinkling on top
- 2/3 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed orange juice
Instructions
- Get ready to bake. Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix dry ingredients. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and orange zest.
- Cut in the butter. Add the cold butter chunks to the dry mix and cut in using a pastry blender or two knives until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add cranberries. Gently fold in the dried cranberries.
- Combine wet ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg with 1/2 cup of heavy cream.
- Form the dough. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until just moistened, then turn the dough out onto a floured surface.
- Shape and cut. Form the dough into a round disk about 3/4 inch thick and cut into 12 wedges.
- Prepare for baking. Place the wedges on the prepared baking sheet, brush with the remaining heavy cream, and sprinkle with coarse sugar if using.
- Bake until golden. Bake for 15 to 17 minutes or until golden brown.
- Make the glaze. While the scones cool, whisk together powdered sugar, orange juice, and additional orange zest to make the glaze.
- Glaze and serve. Drizzle the glaze over the scones and enjoy!
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