Description
Delightful Cranberry Orange Scones bring zesty citrus and tart berries together in a classic British-inspired pastry. Crumbly, buttery layers promise a perfect breakfast companion that will transport you to a cozy morning café.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups (475 ml) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup (100 g) sugar
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) fresh cranberries
- 1/2 cup (1 stick or 113 g) cold butter
- 3/4 to 1 cup (180–240 ml) heavy cream
Leavening and Seasoning:
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 tablespoon orange juice
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- Additional sugar for topping
Instructions
- Prepare the baking workspace by positioning an oven rack and preheating to 400º F, ensuring even temperature distribution.
- Layer a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or a nonstick mat to guarantee effortless scone removal.
- Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a spacious mixing bowl, creating a uniform dry mixture.
- Dice cold butter into small cubes and integrate into the flour blend using a pastry blender, working until the texture resembles coarse, crumbly granules.
- Gently incorporate fresh cranberries into the butter-flour mixture, maintaining their delicate structure.
- Pour heavy cream, orange juice, and orange zest into the dry ingredients, stirring minimally until the dough coheres. Adjust liquid quantity if the consistency seems too dry.
- Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and shape into a compact, one-inch-thick circular disc.
- Slice the disc into eight symmetrical wedges, positioning them strategically on the prepared baking sheet.
- Brush scone tops with melted butter and sprinkle with a light dusting of sugar for enhanced caramelization.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, monitoring until edges transform into a golden-brown hue and edges appear crisp.
- Allow scones to rest on the baking sheet for five minutes, enabling slight cooling and structural stabilization.
- Whisk confectioner’s sugar, orange juice, and zest in a separate bowl until achieving a smooth, glossy glaze.
- Drizzle the vibrant orange glaze over slightly cooled scones, creating an elegant, artistic finish.
Notes
- Ensure butter remains cold for flakier scones by chilling ingredients and using a quick mixing technique.
- Avoid overmixing the dough to prevent tough, dense scones; stop stirring once ingredients are just combined.
- Swap fresh cranberries with dried cranberries or other berries like blueberries for seasonal variations.
- Create a gluten-free version by using a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and adjusting liquid measurements slightly.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg