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Delicious Cranberry Orange Scones Recipe

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These Cranberry Orange Scones are the perfect blend of tart cranberries and sweet orange zest, making them a delightful treat for breakfast, brunch, or afternoon tea. With a golden, buttery exterior and a soft, flaky interior, these scones are light yet flavorful, topped with a light orange glaze for an extra touch of sweetness. The burst of citrus and cranberries in each bite is sure to brighten your day. Whether served with a cup of tea or enjoyed as a quick snack, these scones offer a festive, refreshing twist on a classic British treat.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Scones:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries (or fresh, if available)
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream (plus more for brushing)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice

For the Orange Glaze:

  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1–2 tablespoons fresh orange juice (adjust for consistency)
  • 1/2 teaspoon orange zest (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
  3. Cut in the butter: Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized bits of butter.
  4. Add cranberries and zest: Stir in the dried cranberries and orange zest.
  5. Make the dough: In a small bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, egg, vanilla extract, and orange juice. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir gently with a fork until just combined. The dough should be slightly sticky but firm enough to hold its shape.
  6. Shape the scones: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead it a few times to bring it together. Pat the dough into a circle about 1-inch thick. Cut it into 8 wedges and transfer them to the prepared baking sheet. Brush the tops with a little extra heavy cream for a golden finish.
  7. Bake the scones: Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until the scones are golden brown on top and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  8. Make the glaze: While the scones are baking, whisk together the powdered sugar and orange juice in a small bowl until smooth. If the glaze is too thick, add more orange juice, one teaspoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency.
  9. Drizzle the glaze: Once the scones have cooled slightly, drizzle the orange glaze over the top of each scone. Optionally, sprinkle with extra orange zest for added flavor.
  10. Serve and enjoy: Let the glaze set for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your Cranberry Orange Scones warm with a cup of tea or coffee.

Notes

  • You can substitute the dried cranberries with fresh cranberries if you prefer, but fresh cranberries will release more moisture, so be sure to adjust the baking time.
  • For a slightly sweeter version, increase the sugar in the scone dough by 2 tablespoons.
  • If you don’t have heavy cream, you can use buttermilk or whole milk for the liquid, but the texture may be a bit less rich.
  • These scones freeze beautifully. After baking, let them cool completely, then wrap individually in plastic wrap and freeze. Reheat in the oven for a few minutes when ready to serve.

Keywords: Cranberry Orange Scones, Scone Recipe, Breakfast Scones, Brunch Treat, Citrus Scones, Holiday Scones, Cranberry Scones, Orange Glaze, Easy Scones Recipe

Find it online: https://inqelab.com/delicious-cranberry-orange-scones/