This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy. The texture of these cranberry orange scones is phenomenal – billowy soft and crumbly (as evidenced by the next picture). My sister Tanya hosted a ladies brunch/ girls tea party and these were my contribution. Remember the princess party? That’s the one! Everyone loved that these scones weren’t overly sweet (the scones themselves have just 3 Tbsp sugar!) – it’s a fairly low-guilt dessert. The base of this recipe is modified from the strawberry scones that I guest posted for Better Homes and Gardens. The idea for the orange flavoring and glaze is based on Ina Garten’s Cranberry Orange Scones.
Ingredients for Cranberry Orange Scones:
2 cups all-purpose flour *measured correctly 3 Tbsp sugar 1 Tbsp baking powder 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 Tbsp grated orange zest (from 1/2 orange) 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold butter, cut into chunks 1 large egg, lightly beaten 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream + 1 Tbsp to brush the top 3/4 cup dried cranberries 1 Tbsp coarse/raw sugar to sprinkle the top, optional
Ingredients for the Orange Glaze:
2/3 cup powdered sugar 1 Tbsp freshly squeezed orange juice plus a pinch of orange zest
How to Make Cranberry Orange Scones:
Preheat oven to 400˚F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. 1. In a large bowl, stir together 2 cups flour, 3 Tbsp sugar, 1 Tbsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 Tbsp grated orange zest. Add butter pieces and using a pastry cutter (or 2 knives), cut butter into mixture until you have coarse pea-sized crumbs.
Toss in 3/4 cup dried cranberries and stir gently to combine. Make a well in the center and set aside
In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg and 1/2 cup heavy cream. Pour egg mixture into the flour mixture and use a spatula to stir just until moistened. tip: don’t wash the dish with your cream/egg mix. Add a little cream to it and use it to brush the scone in the next step!
Turn dough out onto a generously floured surface and pull it together into a round disk, about 3/4″ thick. Cut disk into 12 equal wedges and pull apart slightly. Brush tops of scones with 1 Tbsp heavy cream and sprinkle the top with raw sugar if desired. Bake 15-17 min until golden (mine took 16 min)
Remove scones from the hot baking sheet and let cool 15 min then whisk together 2/3 cup powdered sugar and 1 Tbsp freshly squeezed orange juice, adding more or less to desired thickness then drizzle over cranberry scones.
Have you tried scones? What’s your favorite variety?
