If you follow me, you know that I write as I would cook or bake with the intent to give you the tools to do the same. You may already have them and scoot right to the recipe or you might think “I need some more information on how to do this.” This is just one of those recipes. Its taking a favorite basic scone recipe that I have used for several delicious scones and giving you another version. Welcome to Cranberry Orange Scones – a variation on a basic recipe.
For me, scones are tactile. By that, I mean you know by the feel in the dough that its just right. Bread bakers are the same. Once you get the sense of how that dough should feel, you are able to produce some amazing results of deliciousness!
I have a basic recipe that I use and I just add things to it. I have used it for Toffee Scones and Ham and Cheese Dill Scones. For this particular recipe, I did very little but just added a couple simple ingredients. Here’s what you will need to make these Cranberry Orange Scones – a variation on a basic recipe.
Ingredients
- All purpose flour
- Sugar
- Baking soda
- Baking powder
- Unsalted butter
- Vanilla
- Buttermilk
- Egg
- Orange (for orange zest and juice)
- Dried cranberries
- Powdered Sugar
As you know, I like to use my food processor a lot. This recipe works well for my scones. My food processor was a gift from my sister and brother-in-law and I send them a text “I love my food processor” every time I use it. It has now become code for “She’s baking again.”
These scones can absolutely be made with your hands. Just use bowls instead, of course your hands – the recipe will stay the same. And its best to get everything prepared ahead of time so the dough can come together quickly – keep that butter cold.
Putting the dry ingredients together
Place your flour, sugar, baking soda and baking powder in the bowl of the food processor. Pulse to combine.
Preparing the Liquid Ingredients
For a good flakey scone, the butter needs to be really cold. I will cut up the butter into cubes and then put it back into the refrigerator (sometimes even the freezer for a bit).
Take your buttermilk, egg and vanilla and mix that together. Set aside.
Now some comments on Buttermilk. Using buttermilk is great but I never use all the buttermilk in one setting. This is always my first choice. However, there are several things you can use as a substitute (vinegar, lemon and others). I will at times use a dried buttermilk product. This is the best that I have used. Now the instructions will tell you to mix with water – I like to substitute milk (not cream) instead. As an example, for this recipe you will need 1/2 cup of buttermilk. I measure out the 2 tablespoons of buttermilk powder, milk to the 1/2 mark and mix until well combined. I add my egg and vanilla and then I let it sit. It will get nice and thick and then ready to use. This product needs to be stored in your refrigerator but it a great option for your buttermilk needs. You can find it at most grocery stores in the baking aisle. The Saco Pantry website is full of additional ideas.
NOTE: There are other buttermilk options….I will be highlighting them in an upcoming post.
Zest your orange Juice the orange and reserve this for the glaze.
Putting the dough together
Add the orange zest to your flour mixture. Pulse to combine. This is one of my favorite steps for this recipe. When I take the lid of the processor off, you can smell the zest in the mixture. Its amazing
Place the chilled cubed butter in your food processor and pulse until it become pea sized lumps in the mixture. Generally two to three pulses depending on your food processor.
Now add the liquid mixture and pulse until it just begins to come together. Do not over process. Then add the cranberries and pulse again to slightly combine.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Here is where you can tell if your dough is correct. At first you will not think it will come together – but it definitely will. If its sticky, I will toss a little more flour on top of the dough and knead a couple times.
Form the dough into an 8 inch round. You are ready to cut and bake these delicious scones.
Baking and Serving
Preheat your oven to 450 degrees. Cut your scones into 8 triangles and place them on a prepared baking sheet. I use a silicon baking mat or you can use parchment paper. Place the scones in your oven for 15 minutes. Keep a close eye on them – they will start to brown quickly.
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Remove from the oven and allow to completely cool. Prepare you glaze while you wait.
Take one cup of powdered sugar and the reserved orange juice. Start with a tablespoon at a time, adding more juice until you reach the right consistency. For this recipe, you want your glaze to run like a stream off your spoon.
Drizzle over the cooled scone…..and get ready to enjoy! This glaze will harden as it continues to set and cool.
Like most of the other scones I make, these can be made ahead and frozen unbaked. Just bring to room temperature and bake as above. Or they can be frozen baked, brought to room temperature and warmed in a 350 degree oven.
I love to serve these scones (and really any scone) with curd, jam or cream, and of course with a nice cup of tea. But these scones are delicious just by themselves – the orange glaze has a tartness that sets off the sweetness of the scone. Breakfast, brunch or afternoon tea – these scones are an easy and delicious treat.
Try Cranberry Orange Scones – a variation on a basic recipe. And then you can try your own blend of ingredients!
Cranberry Orange Scones
Ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- ⅓ cup sugar
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1½ tsp baking powder
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter Chilled and cut in cubes
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 medium to large orange You will use zest and juice. You should have a nice tbsp of zest.
- 1 cup dried cranberries
Orange Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1-2 tbsp orange juice Add till you have a nice glaze consistency
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450°. Prepare baking sheet with parchment paper or silicon mat
- Add flour, baking soda, baking powder, and sugar to food processor. Pulse to combine.
- Zest orange and add to flour mixture. Pulse to combine.
- Add cold cubed butter and pulse until resembling pea sized pieces of butter and flour mixture.
- In a separate small bowl, mix buttermilk, vanilla and egg.
- Add liquids to flour mixture and pulse to combine, slightly forming a dough.
- Add cranberries and pulse 2-3 times to combine. Do not over process.
- Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead only to bring together. Form an 8 inch x 2 inch disc.
- Cut into 8 triangles.
- Place on baking sheet.
- Bake at 450° for 15 minutes or until golden brown. Place on cooling rack.
Preparing the Orange Glaze
- Juice the orange and retain 2 tbsp of juice.
- Add to 1 cup of powdered sugar. Mix to form a glaze.
- Apply to cooled scones.°
48 Comments
Jan
Looks delicious! I will pin to my board for future reference!
Beth
Hi Jan – Thanks so much for pinning. Hope you enjoy. Glad you enjoyed the post and thank you for your comment.
Barbara
I love cranberries and orange……its like the perfect “fall” scone. And with a great cup of
tea……..heaven! Thanks for sharing, especially the buttermilk ingredient…….never used that
before. Will have to try it.
I think I can smell these! Yum!
Beth
Hi Barbara – So glad you enjoyed the post. Its one of my perfect falls scones…not sure I have a single favorite though. Yes, the buttermilk works great for me. Give it a try and thanks for your comment.
Alyssa
These sound and look heavenly! I absolutely love cranberries and oranges, so to pair them within a scone sounds marvelous!!!
Beth
Hi Alyssa – Thanks so much for your comment. Yes, I agree – the pairing of cranberry and orange is delightful. Glad that you enjoyed the post.
Brianna
This looks delicious and easy to make! I bet it goes really good with tea 🙂
Beth
Hi Brianna – Both! Delicious and easy to make. And they are absolutely delightful with tea. Glad that you enjoyed the post and hope you have a chance to make them. Thanks for your comment.
Sydney Delong
These look fantastic! The flavor combination reminds me of winter flavors, so it is perfect for this upcoming season!
Beth
Hi Sydney – Thanks so much for your comment. They were very fun to make and taste test for sure! Glad that you enjoyed the post.
Tiffany Smith
Love the descriptions on the steps…I always struggle in the kitchen and this helps so much!!
Beth
Hi Tiffany – Well you comment made my day. That’s one of my goals – to demystify baking and cooking. I try to use the same format in my posts, so readers can feel very comfortable making the item. And I am no expert, just learned on my own. And I have made plenty of mistakes for sure. So glad you enjoyed the post and thanks for your comment.
Maggie | LeaveMeToDream.com
These look great! I imagine they taste even better 🙂
Beth
Hi Maggie – Well I can tell you that the taste testing was quite fun and delicious! Thanks for your comment and glad that you enjoyed the post.
Lisa Manderino
This reminds me of a perfect Christmas treat. Maybe I am just getting excited about the upcoming holiday! So delicious!
Beth
Hi Lisa – Yes, they are perfect for the upcoming seasons. And I am a fan of the seasons, so this was a fun post to write. So glad that you enjoyed this and thank you for your comment.
Ayesha Siddiqui
These look amazing! Would this work the same with gluten free all purpose flour?
Beth
Hi Ayesha – Thank you so much for your comment. I have not baked with gluten free all purpose flour – but if it works similar to regular all purpose flour, I am sure it would work. In researching, evidently the Bob’s Red Mill (as an example)Gluten Free All Purpose Flour can be substituted with the addition of 1 teaspoon of Xanthum Flour. It does say that it will work similar to whole wheat flour. In that case, I might mix by hand in a bowl (for the first time) to see how it feels, if its dry and does the dough come together well. So there might need to be some adjustments in the liquids. But I would definitely try it for sure. Thanks for the question – I appreciate it. Glad that you enjoyed the post and if you try them – please let me know.
Holly
Another amazing recipe! Orange is my favorite flavor in scones and perfect for this time of the year! I pinned this to use later! Thank you!
Beth
Hi Holly – Thank you so much. Yes, just making these and smelling the flour and orange zest was a treat! Glad that you enjoyed the post and thank you for your comment.
Elaina
Scones are one of my absolute favorites! The orange glaze I bet is so yummy, delicious 😋
Beth
Hi Elaina – Well you can’t go wrong with a scone, I say. Throw a cup of tea alongside and I am set. So glad that you enjoyed the post. The glaze is delicious. Thank you for your comment.
Jill
Wow, these look amazing!! I wish I could smell the orange glaze through my computer. 😉
Beth
Hi Jill – Yes, the smell of the glaze was great but even the smell of the flour and orange zest was amazing. So glad you enjoyed the post and thank you for your comment.
Barbara
I immediately printed this off to try out this weekend! LOVE scones with coffee or tea! I can already taste those fabulous flavors! Thank you!
Beth
Hi Barbara – Thanks so much for your comment and glad that you enjoyed the post. Let me know how they turn out for you. Mine are gone…I will need to make some more for sure!
Adrienne
These look amazing. I absolutely love the flavor combination of cranberry orange and can’t wait to give these a try!
Beth
Hi Adrienne – Thanks so much for your comment and delighted you enjoyed the post. Let me know how these turn out – mine are all gone!
Sabrina
I have got to try this recipe for Christmas. It would go great with any of my teas. Thanks for sharing.
Beth
Hi Sabrina – Yes, they are a great one for the holidays (or really any time). And of course with tea. Hope you have a chance to try. Thanks for your comment and glad that you enjoyed the post!
Candy
Looks like the perfect fall recipe. I look forward to trying this one out!
Beth
Hi Candy – Glad that you enjoyed the post and hope you do get a chance – they are delicious. Thanks for your comment.
Kirsten
I love scones! These look delicious! Thanks for sharing.
Beth
Hi Kirsten – Me too! I love scones. Glad that you enjoyed the post and thanks for your comment.
Melissa Jones
Those look amazing!
Beth
Hi Melissa – Thanks so much. They turned out nicely – and were great to taste. Glad you enjoyed the post.
Suz
Cranberries and orange – a great combination. This post is so detailed, and the photos are well done, and do a great job explaining all the steps. How could someone go wrong?!
Beth
Hi Suz – Yes, I love the combination. Thanks for your comment. I try to make the posts so that anyone can do them, learn from my experiences, and enjoy the outcome. Glad that you enjoyed the post.
Suzan | It's My Sustainable Life
What beautiful fresh flavors! I’ll have to give these a try, I do enjoy a good scone!
Beth
Hi Suzan – Yes, they go well together. The smell of the orange zest is one of my favorites in this recipe. Glad you enjoyed the post and thank you for your comment.
Marianne
These sound delicious Beth! My favourite part is that they can be made and then frozen. I like when I can take a few pieces out of the freezer as needed, and bake from frozen. Soooo convenient!
Beth
Hi Marianne – You can definitely do that. I make unbaked scones way ahead of time – just for any occasion or for afternoon teas. But I also freeze baked scones – dangerously easy to thaw out, warm up and eat! So glad that you enjoyed the post and thank you for your comment.
Jill
Hi Beth, This recipe looks amazing!! I must try it!
Beth
Hi Jill – So glad that you enjoyed the post. Yes, its easy and delicious. I usually have some in my freezer – but no longer. They are all test tasted and gone! Basic scone recipe that I change a bit for flavors etc. Thanks for your comment and let me know how they turn out for you! Enjoy.
Cindy Moore
I love orange and crabberry flavors together. I must start trying your recipes this fall.
Beth
Hi Cindy – Well very glad that you enjoy the posts and recipes. Give them a try and let me know what you think. Thanks so much for the comment.
Maya
Wow! This looks delicious.
Beth
Hi Maya – Thanks so much for your comment. Yes, they WERE delicious….are all gone now! I actually gifted my daughter-in-law with them…but definitely would have been gone. Glad that you enjoyed the post.