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Cranberry Orange Scones

Cranberry Orange Scones
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Enjoy the bright, refreshing flavors of homemade Cranberry Orange Scones, featuring fluffy, tender scone dough studded with tart fresh cranberries and fragrant orange zest. Perfect for a cozy breakfast or afternoon snack, this easy-to-follow recipe uses simple pantry staples and fresh ingredients to create bakery-quality scones with a golden crust and soft crumb. Customizable and quick to bake, these scones bring a delightful balance of citrus and berry flavor in every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 cups All-Purpose Flour
  • 1 tablespoon Baking Powder
  • 1/4 cup Sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon Salt

Fat

  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) Unsalted Butter, cold and cubed

Fruit & Zest

  • 1 cup Fresh Cranberries
  • Zest of 1 large Orange (about 1 tablespoon)

Wet Ingredients

  • 2/3 cup Heavy Cream or Buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Optional

  • 1 Egg, beaten (for egg wash to achieve golden glossy finish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat for easy cleanup and perfect baking slips.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and seasoning throughout your dough.
  3. Cut in the Butter: Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Using a pastry cutter or your fingertips, quickly cut the butter into the flour until the texture resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized pieces of butter for tender flakiness.
  4. Add Cranberries and Orange Zest: Gently fold in the fresh cranberries and grated orange zest, being careful not to crush the berries and ensuring they are evenly distributed.
  5. Combine Wet Ingredients and Form Dough: In a small separate bowl, whisk together the heavy cream and vanilla extract. Slowly pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir lightly with a fork until the dough just comes together, avoiding overmixing to keep scones tender and fluffy.
  6. Shape the Dough: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently pat or roll it into a 7 to 8-inch circle about 1 inch thick. Use a sharp knife or bench scraper to cut the dough into 8 equal triangular wedges for classic scone shapes.
  7. Optional Egg Wash and Bake: If desired, brush the tops of the scones lightly with beaten egg to achieve a shiny golden finish. Place the wedges on the prepared baking sheet spaced slightly apart. Bake for 18–22 minutes until the scones are puffed and golden at the edges.
  8. Cool and Serve: Remove the scones from the oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool slightly before serving warm or at room temperature.

Notes

  • Keep butter cold to ensure flaky layers rather than dense texture.
  • Do not overmix dough; stir only until combined for tender scones.
  • Use fresh orange zest for maximum aroma and bright citrus flavor.
  • Pat dough gently rather than rolling aggressively to maintain a flaky texture.
  • Ensure oven is properly preheated and hot to promote good rise and golden crust.

Nutrition

Keywords: cranberry scones, orange zest scones, breakfast scones, easy scone recipe, fluffy scones, tart cranberries, citrus baked goods

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