Orange Cranberry Scones

Orange Cranberry Scones is an American scone recipe that is like a cross between bread and a pastry. With a sweetness surpassing that of a biscuit, these scones boast a buttery soft richness complemented by vibrant citrus notes, bursts of tangy cranberries and luxurious pecans. Perfectly suited for festive occasions, these scones are wonderful with a cup of hot coffee.

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Scones for Christmas

With their delightfully buttery sweetness and a soft, tender texture, these scones are a perfect indulgence alongside a cup of coffee or as an indulgent holiday breakfast. The combination of citrus, cranberry, and pecan absolutely captures the essence of Christmas. Additionally, the ease of preparation adds to their charm, making these scones a delightful addition to your own festive spread or as a thoughtful homemade gift during the holiday season.

Best Techniques for Flakey Scones

Use Hands to Mix Butter with Dry Ingredients

Add the cold, cubed butter to the blended dry ingredients and hand toss, ensuring an even coating with the flour. Pinch and squeeze the butter with your fingers. Once the butter is broken up slightly into smaller pieces, flatten handfuls of the mixture between the palm of your hands, making sheets of butter. Once all the butter pieces are flattened, add your liquids. The presence of these cold, buttery sheets will contribute to the creation of flaky scones.

Fold In Cranberries and Nuts

After incorporating the wet ingredients into the butter mixture, transfer the dough onto a flat surface. Lightly flour your hands and gently fold the dough a few times. Gradually introduce a handful of dried cranberries and chopped nuts, folding the dough with each addition. This will help prevent over mixing which can lead to a tougher scone.

Resting Scones

Allow the shaped scones to rest in the refrigerator on the baking sheets for about 15-20 minutes before baking. This helps relax the gluten and produces a tender result.

Ingredients Needed

• All-Purpose Flour– Essential base for scones that helps in providing the tender and flakey texture. Make sure to properly measure the flour.
• Salt– Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.
• Baking Powder– A leavening agent that add lifts to the scones.
• Brown Sugar– Adds moisture, sweetness and a subtle molasses flavor.
• Granulated Sugar– Provides sweetness while also helping to create a tender texture.
• Butter– Essential for creating flakey layers. Note: The scones shown in the photos and the video were made with grass-fed butter. Scones made with conventional store bought butter will have more rise and flakiness than those made with grass-fed butter.
• Heavy Whipping Cream– Brings in a rich, decadent moisture.
• Orange Extract and Orange Zest– Provides a bright citrusy flavor.
• Pecans– Chopped pecans add a buttery, nutty crunch.
• Dried Cranberries– Adds a layers of both sweet and tartness that compliments the orange.
• Milk– Brushing a small amount of milk (or heavy cream) on scones promotes browning and helps the sparkling sugar to adhere to the top of the scones.
• Sparkling Sugar– Adds a gorgeous sparkle that makes the scones even more festive. The other option is a glaze made of powdered sugar and orange juice.

How To Make

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Cube cold butter and place in freezer for a few minutes. Combine flour, salt, baking powder, and sugars in a bowl.
3. Add cold butter to dry mix. Toss to coat. Pinch, squeeze, and flatten butter into sheets.
4. Mix cream with orange zest and extract. Pour into the well in dry mix. Stir until dough forms.
5. Transfer dough onto flat surface, fold gently a few times using a bench scraper. Add cranberries and nuts gradually, folding with each addition.
6. Shape into a large 1-inch thick square. Cut into 2-inch squares, then triangles. Place on a parchment-lined sheet.
7. Brush with milk, sprinkle with sparkling sugar. Chill for 15-20 mins.
8. Bake for 12-17 mins until light golden brown. Cool on sheets for 5 mins, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.

Tips To Making The Best Orange Cranberry Scones

• Cold butter! Probably the most important tip. Cutting the butter, when it’s straight from the refrigerator, into small cubes and then placing in the freezer for a few minutes is one of the best ways to ensure that the butter is cold when it is mixed into the dry ingredients.
• Don’t over process. Over processing the butter with the dry ingredients can cause a tough scone. The best way to prevent this is to mix the flour, salt, baking powder and sugars extremely well before adding the butter. Also, butter cut into small cubes will help it to incorporate the mixture faster.
• Brush the tops with milk or heavy cream before baking for a nice sheen and sweet glaze.
• For added flavor, you can drizzle a simple glaze made of powdered sugar and orange juice on top of the scones after they’ve cooled. This adds a sweet and tangy finish.
• Let the scones cool for 5-10 minutes before removing from the pan so they hold their shape.

Variations of the Orange Cranberry Scones

• Orange Glazed Scones– Drizzle a simple orange glaze over the scones for an extra burst of citrus sweetness. Combine 1 cup powdered sugar with 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice and 1 teaspoon orange zest to create the glaze.
• Almond Orange Cranberry Scones– Add a handful of slivered or sliced almonds to the dough to introduce a nutty crunch. Almonds complement the citrus and cranberry flavors well.
• Orange Ginger Cranberry Scones– Infuse a hint of warmth by incorporating 1-2 tablespoons of finely minced crystallized ginger into the dough. The spicy kick pairs nicely with the orange and cranberry.
• Chocolate Orange Cranberry Scones– For a decadent twist, fold in 1 cup of dark or white chocolate chips into the dough. The combination of chocolate with orange and cranberry creates a luxurious flavor profile.
• Lemon Cranberry Scones– Swap out the orange zest for lemon zest to give the scones a different citrusy character while maintaining the overall fruity appeal.
• Vanilla Bean Orange Cranberry Scones– Infuse the dough with the seeds of a vanilla bean for a fragrant and aromatic twist that pairs well with the citrus and cranberry.
• Gluten-Free Scones- To make gluten-free scones, use a high-quality gluten-free flour blend and follow the same recipe, adjusting the cream as necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do scones have eggs?

Since an American scone is basically a sweet biscuit, most recipes do not call for an egg. However, there are some recipes that do and the some bakers believe it enhances the taste. For these Orange Cranberry Scones no egg is necessary because they taste amazing and have a wonderful texture on their own.

How do I make sure the orange flavor is very prominent?

Make sure to zest your oranges thoroughly and consider increasing to 2 heaping tablespoons of orange zest.

Why do you glaze scones with milk?

There are two main reasons to glaze these cranberry orange scones with milk.

1. It encourages browning on the top of the scones. Without the milk it is challenging to achieve that gorgeous golden brown without over baking. (Haha! Even sometimes with the milk or cream it can be challenging to achieve the golden browned tops.)
2. It helps the decorative sugar to adhere to the top of the scones. When making these scones for company or the holidays the decorative sugar adds a beautiful sparkle.

Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried cranberries?

 Fresh cranberries can be used, but keep in mind that they will add a different texture and tartness to the scones.

 What can I substitute for orange extract if I don’t have any?

 If you don’t have orange extract, you can use orange zest alone for a natural citrus flavor. Alternatively, you can use a different citrus extract or even vanilla extract for a different flavor profile.

Can I make these scones ahead of time and freeze them?

 Yes, you can make the scone dough in advance, cut and shape them, and then freeze them on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer them to a resealable bag. When ready to bake, preheat the oven and bake the scones directly from the freezer, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.

Can I use margarine instead of butter?

It is not recommend to substitute margarine for butter. Butter gives the best flavor and flakiness. If needed, you can use shortening instead.

How long do the scones keep?

Scones are best enjoyed fresh on the day they are made but will keep in an airtight container for 2-3 days. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature and refresh in a 300°F oven for a few minutes before serving.