There’s something almost magical about the bright, zesty aroma that fills your kitchen as you bake Cranberry Orange Scones. These tender pastries are bursting with tart cranberries, sweet orange zest, and a buttery richness that melts delicately with every bite. Whether you’re planning a cozy weekend breakfast or need a show-stopping treat for holiday brunch, this recipe creates the perfect balance of flavors—comforting, fresh, and irresistibly beautiful on the plate. With just a handful of pantry staples, you’ll have a batch of Cranberry Orange Scones ready to share and savor with your favorite people.

Cranberry Orange Scones Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient in Cranberry Orange Scones plays a key role, so gather everything you need before you start. The magic lies in the simplicity—each component helps build wonderful flavor, texture, and the signature golden color these scones are famous for.

All-purpose flour: This provides the tender, sturdy base for your scones and keeps the crumb just right.
Granulated sugar: Adds the perfect touch of sweetness, highlighting the natural flavors of orange and cranberry.
Baking powder: The secret to that beautiful rise and soft, cloudlike texture.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and brings out all the citrusy, buttery notes.
Cold unsalted butter: Cold chunks ensure your scones are flaky and melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
Orange zest: Provides that citrus zing and intense orange aroma in every bite.
Dried cranberries: Chewy and tart, these are little bursts of flavor tucked inside your scones.
Heavy cream: Richness and moisture—the backbone of a tender crumb and gorgeous golden finish.
Large egg: Creates a rich dough and helps bind everything together just right.
Vanilla extract: This rounds out all the flavors with subtle warmth and complexity.
Optional glaze (powdered sugar & orange juice): A glossy drizzle for extra sweetness and citrus sparkle on top.

How to Make Cranberry Orange Scones

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Sheet

Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper so your scones bake evenly and lift right off without sticking. Having your tools and surface ready to go makes the whole process seamless and stress-free.

Step 2: Mix Your Dry Ingredients

Grab a large mixing bowl and whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. This ensures everything is evenly distributed and lays the foundation for scones with a light, airy texture.

Step 3: Cut in the Butter

Add your cold, cubed unsalted butter to the dry ingredients. Use a pastry cutter—or just your fingertips—to work the butter in until you see coarse, pea-sized crumbs. This technique traps pockets of butter in the dough, which is what gives Cranberry Orange Scones their signature flakey layers.

Step 4: Add Zest and Cranberries

Stir in the orange zest and dried cranberries. This is where the magic starts! The zest enlivens the dough with citrus perfume, while the cranberries create pops of color and tart-sweet bites throughout.

Step 5: Mix Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together your heavy cream, large egg, and vanilla extract. Pour this mixture over your dry mix and gently fold everything together just until combined. Don’t overmix; a shaggy, slightly sticky dough is exactly what you want for ultra-tender scones.

Step 6: Shape and Cut the Dough

Turn your dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Give it a few gentle kneads to bring it all together, then pat or roll it into an 8-inch round disk about 1 inch thick. Cut into 8 wedges using a sharp knife or bench scraper, and arrange them on your lined baking sheet.

Step 7: Brush and Bake

Brush the tops of the scones with a bit of heavy cream for a lovely golden sheen. Slide your tray into the oven and bake for 16 to 20 minutes, until the Cranberry Orange Scones are deeply golden at the edges and just set. Let them cool for a few minutes on the pan before transferring to a rack.

Step 8: Add the Optional Glaze

If you’re in the mood for something extra special, whisk together powdered sugar and a splash or two of orange juice to make a bright, sweet glaze. Drizzle it over the cooled scones for that perfect citrusy pop and irresistible bakery-style look.

How to Serve Cranberry Orange Scones

Garnishes

For a simple yet stunning finish, sprinkle your scones with extra orange zest or a dusting of powdered sugar just before serving. If you’re feeling fancy, a little drizzle of the orange glaze adds both shine and flavor that guests will rave about. Fresh cranberries on the side look beautiful on a brunch platter, especially during the holidays.

Side Dishes

These scones are delightful alongside a creamy cup of coffee, chai, or orange-spiked black tea. If you’re serving them for brunch, consider pairing with fresh fruit salad, Greek yogurt, or even a slice of savory quiche for a balanced meal. Their bright, zesty flavor complements a wide variety of other breakfast favorites.

Creative Ways to Present

Slice a Cranberry Orange Scone in half and spread it with a pat of soft butter or tangy cream cheese for the ultimate treat. For an afternoon tea, arrange the scones in a circle on a cake stand, alternating their points outward for a petal-like effect. Tiny ramekins of jam, marmalade, or honey on the side invite guests to customize each bite.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Scones are best the day they’re baked, but if you have extras, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. A paper towel underneath absorbs any excess moisture and keeps the bottoms from getting soggy. If you prefer, refrigerate for up to four days, though the texture will be slightly firmer.

Freezing

Cranberry Orange Scones freeze beautifully, making them perfect for make-ahead breakfast treats. Once completely cooled, wrap each scone individually in plastic wrap and then tuck them in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to two months, and thaw overnight at room temperature or gently rewarm straight from the freezer.

Reheating

To bring your scones back to life, pop them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes until warmed through. This crisps up the exterior while keeping the inside tender and fragrant. Avoid microwaving, which can make them chewy or dense.

FAQs

Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried?

Absolutely! Chop fresh cranberries and toss in an extra tablespoon of sugar to balance their tartness. The result is a slightly juicier scone with little bursts of bright red fruit—perfect during cranberry season.

Why does the butter need to be cold?

Cold butter creates that classic flakey texture we all love in scones. When the dough hits the hot oven, the cold butter melts and forms steam, lifting the dough and producing tender, layered scones.

Do I have to use heavy cream?

Heavy cream is the key to richness and tenderness, but you can use half-and-half or full-fat coconut milk as a substitute. The texture may be slightly different, but your Cranberry Orange Scones will still bake up beautifully.

What’s the best way to cut scones?

Use a sharp knife or a bench scraper to cut clean wedges after shaping the dough into a disk. Wipe the blade between cuts for neat, defined edges, and don’t twist if you use a round cutter—just push straight down for the flakiest scones.

How do I keep my scones from getting dry?

Take care not to overmix the dough and pull them from the oven as soon as the tops are golden and firm. Brushing with cream before baking also helps seal in moisture and adds a lovely crust.

Final Thoughts

If you’re craving a bakery-worthy treat, these Cranberry Orange Scones are a guaranteed way to brighten your day. The combination of zesty orange and plump cranberries is always a hit, and the recipe couldn’t be more inviting. Give them a try—you’ll fall in love with every tender, flavorful bite!

Cranberry Orange Scones Recipe

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4.7 from 10 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 33 minutes
Yield: 8 scones 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

These Cranberry Orange Scones are a delightful treat, perfect for breakfast or brunch. The combination of tangy cranberries and zesty orange in a buttery, flaky scone is sure to impress your family and friends.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour
⅓ cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt

Additional Ingredients:

½ cup cold unsalted butter (cut into cubes)
1 tablespoon orange zest
¾ cup dried cranberries
⅔ cup heavy cream (plus extra for brushing)
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional Glaze:

½ cup powdered sugar
1–2 tablespoons orange juice

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Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
Add butter: Cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Incorporate flavors: Stir in the orange zest and dried cranberries.
Prepare wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, egg, and vanilla extract.
Combine: Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix just until combined.
Shape the scones: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface, shape into a disk, cut into wedges, and place on the baking sheet.
Bake: Brush the scones with cream and bake for 16–20 minutes until golden brown.
Optional glaze: Drizzle with the orange glaze once cooled, if desired.