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An extreme close-up of two glazed cranberry orange scones, showing the flaky texture and bits of cranberry inside.
FL Recipes

Cranberry Orange Scones (The Ultimate Flaky Recipe)

Achieve bakery-quality Cranberry Orange Scones at home with this foolproof recipe! Learn the secrets to a perfectly flaky, tender, and moist scone, bursting with bright orange zest and tart cranberries. Topped with a simple orange glaze, they're perfect for breakfast or brunch.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Total Time 38 minutes
Servings: 8 scones
Course: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
Cuisine: American, British
Calories: 380

Ingredients
  

For the Scones
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour plus more for dusting
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter frozen solid
  • 1 cup dried cranberries
  • 1 large orange zest and juice needed
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream cold
  • 1/4 cup buttermilk cold
  • 1 large egg cold
For the Orange Glaze
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tbsp orange juice freshly squeezed
  • 1/4 tsp vanilla extract

Equipment

  • 1 Baking Sheet
  • 1 Box grater
  • 1 Large Mixing Bowl

Method
 

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  2. Using a box grater, grate the frozen butter into the flour mixture. Gently toss with your fingertips to coat the butter.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, buttermilk, egg, and orange zest. Pour over the flour mixture.
  4. Gently fold with a spatula until a shaggy dough forms. Do not overmix. Fold in the dried cranberries.
  5. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead a few times to bring it together. Pat into an 8-inch circle.
  6. Cut the circle into 8 wedges and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Chill in the freezer for 15-20 minutes.
  7. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Brush the tops of the scones with heavy cream.
  8. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until golden brown. Let cool slightly on the baking sheet.
  9. To make the glaze, whisk together powdered sugar, orange juice, and vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle over the slightly cooled scones.

Nutrition

Calories: 380kcalProtein: 5gFat: 15gFiber: 2g

Notes

Tip 1: Do not overwork the dough. A light touch is crucial for tender scones.
Tip 2: Grating the butter while it's frozen is the number one secret to achieving flaky layers.
Tip 3: Don't skip the chilling step before baking; it helps the scones rise better and prevents spreading.
Keyword cranberry orange scones,holiday baking,scone recipe

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