Tender Cranberry Orange Scones (Printable)

Buttery scones with tart cranberries and fresh orange zest, ideal for breakfast or afternoon enjoyment.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/3 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1 tablespoon baking powder
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Cold Ingredients

05 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed

→ Wet Ingredients

06 - 2/3 cup heavy cream, plus extra for brushing
07 - 1 large egg
08 - 1 tablespoon orange zest (from 1 large orange)
09 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

→ Add-ins

10 - 1 cup fresh or dried cranberries
11 - 1 tablespoon coarse sugar (optional, for topping)

→ Orange Glaze (Optional)

12 - 1/2 cup powdered sugar
13 - 1 to 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice

# Directions:

01 - Set the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.
03 - Add cold, cubed butter and cut it into the dry ingredients using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
04 - In a separate bowl, whisk together heavy cream, egg, orange zest, and vanilla extract.
05 - Pour the wet mixture over the dry ingredients, add cranberries, and stir gently just until combined to avoid overmixing.
06 - Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and pat it into an 8-inch diameter circle about 1 inch thick.
07 - Slice the dough into 8 equal wedges and place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
08 - Brush the tops with additional cream and sprinkle with coarse sugar if desired.
09 - Bake for 16 to 18 minutes until scones are golden brown. Remove and cool on a wire rack.
10 - Mix powdered sugar and fresh orange juice until thick but pourable, then drizzle over cooled scones.

# Cooking Tips:

01 -
  • They manage to balance sweet and tart in a way that feels like a comforting hug with every bite
  • Simple ingredients come together quickly but deliver bakery-quality scones to your home oven
02 -
  • Never overmix the dough; a few lumps are perfectly fine and keep your scones tender
  • Keeping the butter cold is key to achieving that flaky, tender texture—warm butter is the enemy here
03 -
  • Use a light touch when combining wet and dry ingredients to avoid tough scones
  • Briefly chilling the formed dough before cutting can help maintain shape during baking

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