How to Make Golden Baked Cranberry Orange Scones: A Simple Guide
There’s nothing quite as comforting as freshly baked scones. Their flaky, buttery texture and delightful flavor make them perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon snack. If you’re looking to impress your family or guests, cranberry orange scones are a simple yet fancy treat that’s bursting with fresh, tangy flavors. The good news? You don’t need to be a master baker to pull it off! With this easy-to-follow recipe, you’ll have golden baked cranberry orange scones in no time.
Grab your apron, preheat your oven, and let’s get started!
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make these delicious scones, gather the following ingredients:
For the scones:
- 2 cups (250 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Zest of 1 medium orange
- 1/2 cup (115 grams) cold unsalted butter, diced into small cubes
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) heavy cream or milk (plus a little extra for brushing)
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup (60 grams) dried cranberries (or fresh, chopped cranberries)
For the glaze (optional):
- 1/2 cup (60 grams) powdered sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons orange juice
Tools You’ll Need
- Large mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Pastry cutter or two knives
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Rolling pin or your hands for shaping the dough
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). This ensures your scones bake evenly while developing that perfect golden color. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with butter.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and orange zest. The orange zest adds a burst of citrusy flavor to the scones, making them extra special.
Step 3: Add the Butter
Next, add the cold, diced butter to the dry mixture. Using a pastry cutter, two knives, or your fingertips, gently cut the butter into the flour until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs. The key here is to work quickly so the butter remains cold—this is what gives the scones their flaky texture.
Step 4: Combine the Wet Ingredients
In a small bowl, whisk together the heavy cream (or milk), egg, and vanilla extract. Pour this mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients.
Step 5: Mix in the Cranberries
Add the dried or fresh cranberries to the mixture. Using a spatula or your hands, gently mix until everything comes together. Be careful not to overmix; you want the dough to stay light and tender.
Step 6: Shape the Dough
Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Pat it into a circle about 1 inch thick. If the dough feels too sticky, sprinkle a bit more flour to make it easier to work with.
Using a knife or a bench scraper, cut the circle into 8 equal wedges, like slicing a pizza. Alternatively, you can use a round cookie cutter to create classic circular scones.
Place the wedges (or rounds) onto your prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each to give them room to expand while baking.
Step 7: Brush and Bake
To give your scones a lovely golden color, brush the tops lightly with heavy cream or milk. Pop the scones into the preheated oven and bake for 15–20 minutes, or until they’re golden brown on top and smell amazing.
Step 8: Make the Glaze (Optional)
While the scones are baking, you can prepare an optional orange glaze for added sweetness. In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar and orange juice until smooth. You can adjust the consistency by adding more powdered sugar (to thicken) or orange juice (to thin).
Step 9: Cool and Serve
Once the scones are baked, remove them from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack for a few minutes. If you’re using glaze, drizzle it over the top of the warm scones for an extra burst of citrus flavor.
Serve your cranberry orange scones with a hot cup of tea or coffee, a dollop of jam, or simply enjoy them plain. Either way, they’re sure to be a crowd-pleaser!
Tips for Perfect Scones
- Keep the butter cold: Cold butter creates steam pockets as it melts in the oven, resulting in flaky scones.
- Don’t overmix: Overmixing makes the dough tough, so mix just until everything comes together.
- Experiment with flavors: Want to mix things up? Try swapping cranberries for blueberries or adding nuts for extra crunch.
- Store leftovers: Store leftover scones in an airtight container at room temperature for 1–2 days or freeze them for up to a month. To reheat, pop them in the oven for a few minutes.
Conclusion
Making golden baked cranberry orange scones doesn’t have to be complicated! With just a few simple ingredients and steps, you can whip up a batch of these buttery, citrusy treats that everyone will love. Whether you’re baking them for a special occasion or just because you’re craving something homemade, these scones bring a bit of sweetness and sunshine to your day.
So, get baking—and don’t forget to share them with friends and family! They’ll be asking for the recipe before you know it. Enjoy!
