One of my favorite pastimes is meeting up with friends at the local coffee shop for a cup of coffee and a scone. Since cranberry orange scones usually are more common during the holidays, the shop doesn’t always have these fantastic creations. However, when they do, I don’t waste any time deciding what I want with my cuppa joe. And it’s not just the drool-worthy sweet and tart together; they’re beautiful with flecks of red from the cranberries and orange from the zest. Not quite cake and not quite a biscuit, they’re perfect for any holiday celebration.
Recipe Ingredients
How to Make Cranberry Orange Scones
Make the Scones
Preheat the oven to 400°F/205℃.Mix the Dry Ingredients – Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and orange zest in a large mixing bowl.Cut in Cold Butter – Quickly cut your butter into the flour mixture using your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs; this might take 3-5 minutes. Alternatively, you can use a pastry cutter to blend in the butter.Add the Cranberries – Carefully fold in the cranberries.Add the Wet Ingredients – 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; do not overmix (about one minute).Lightly Knead Dough – Transfer dough onto a floured board or surface; then knead about 3-4 times- just enough for it to come together.Form Scones – Gently press the dough flat until it’s about an inch thick. Then using a 2-inch round cookie cutter or glass, cut your scones into thick circles, press the remaining scraps into another whole piece, and cut again until the dough has been used up. You can also cut dough into eight wedges, like traditional scones, using a knife or bench scraper.Bake at 400°F/205℃ for 15-20 minutes or more until lightly browned. Start checking after 12 minutes.Allow to Cool – Remove it from the oven, 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
Mix the Glaze Ingredients – Whisk together confectioner sugar, orange juice, and orange zest in a small bowl until smooth.Adjust the Consistency – Add more sugar or juice, if needed, to your reach desired consistency. It should be slightly thick.Finishing Touches – Glaze the cooled scones and let them sit for about a minute before serving.
Recipe Variations
Tips and Tricks
Make-Ahead Instructions
If you want to make the scones the night before (keep them in the fridge) and bake them in the morning, you can do that. Just don’t expect them to rise as well. They can go in the freezer before baking. Let the scones sit at room temperature while the oven is preheating, then pop them in. You may need to bake them a minute or two longer than if they weren’t frozen. And, of course, they may not rise as well as fresh.
Serving and Storage Instructions
Cranberry orange scones, or any scone for that matter, are best fresh out of the oven and drizzled with glaze. That with a pot of coffee, and you’re good to go. Oh, you could use a plate, but mine never make it that far. If you do have some left, they’ll keep for a couple of days at room temperature if they’re wrapped up good and tight. And you can freeze them for two or three months. Reheating them in the oven or toaster oven just until warm, about 5 minutes, will make them almost as good as when they came out of the oven the first time. You could use the microwave but be careful because more than 10-15 seconds makes it tough.
What to Serve With Cranberry Orange Scones
Honestly, these are perfect with a cup of coffee or your favorite tea. You can complete the incredible fall flavors with Pumpkin Spice Latte or Chai Tea Latte. If you would like a wider variety of sweets for a special occasion, these Cinnamon Rolls are awesome.
More Incredible Bread Recipes to Try
Raspberry and White Chocolate SconesStrawberry Banana BreadSweet Potato BreadHawaiian Sweet RollsCinnamon Monkey Bread
Conclusion
If you haven’t tried a top-quality scone yet, you don’t know what you’re missing. Have you tried homemade scones yet? Don’t forget to comment on how it turned out or any flavor additions you tried. ❤️
Watch How to Make It
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