This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Homemade cranberry orange scones are a simply sweet way to start the day!
These flaky homemade scones are studded with tangy dried cranberries and fresh orange zest. They’re drizzled with a sweet orange glaze before serving.
Fresh & Flaky Scones
- Orange cranberry scones need just about 20 minutes of prep time.
- Following the tips below, scones are deliciously flaky and easy to make.
- This recipe uses basic ingredients that you likely have on hand so you can whip them up any time.
- Serve them with morning coffee or as a light snack in the afternoon.
Ingredients for Cranberry Orange Scones
Dry Ingredients – I use all-purpose flour in this recipe. A few tablespoons of granulated sugar lightly sweetens these scones. Baking powder is added to help the scones rise while a bit of salt adds flavor.
Butter – I use cold unsalted butter in this recipe. If you only have salted it will work but leave out the additional salt in the recipe. Ensure the butter is very cold in this recipe to get the best texture.
Cream – Heavy cream is added to hold the dough together.
Cranberries – Dried cranberries add a sweet tangy flavor. You can add a handful of fresh cranberries to the dough as well if you’d like.
Orange – The orange flavor comes from fresh orange zest. Use a zester or fine grater to remove just the orange part of the skin of an orange. The white part underneath (the pith) is bitter. 1 large orange should have enough zest for this recipe.
How to Make Cranberry Orange Scones
This cranberry orange scones recipe is easy to make.
- Mix dry ingredients with a whisk in a large bowl (as per the recipe below).
- Cut the butter into the flour with a pastry blender (or a fork). Add cream to hold the dough together.
- Gently pat the dough into a circle and cut it into wedges.
- Brush with milk (or buttermilk) and bake until lightly browned. Cool slightly before icing.
Serving Scones
Normally served with clotted cream ‘across the pond’ (aka the UK), scones can be topped with anything from a simple pat of butter to the quick and easy glaze in this recipe. Other favorite spreads are homemade apple butter, honey butter, and even a dollop of fresh, homemade whipped cream. Oh, and don’t forget about delicious strawberry butter!
Pro Tips & Tricks
- Use very cold butter and be sure to use fresh baking powder for the best rise.
- Handle the dough as little as possible to prevent the heat from your hands from melting the butter.
- Line the baking pan with parchment paper for easy clean up.
- Cut scones into equal shapes so they bake evenly.
Storing Scones
You can keep prepared scones in the freezer before or after baking.
Keep cranberry orange scones in a zippered bag for up to 5 days at room temperature. Freeze scones by wrapping them separately and transferring them to a zippered bag. Freeze for up to 8 weeks.
More Scone Recipes
Did you enjoy these Cranberry Orange Scones? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below!
Cranberry Orange Scones
Ingredients
Scones
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup cold butter cut into pieces
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- 2 eggs beaten
- ¾ cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- milk to brush top of scone
- granulated sugar to sprinkle top of scone
Orange Glaze
- 3 tablespoon powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon orange juice
- ¼ teaspoon orange zest (or to taste)
Instructions
Scones
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Combine flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt in a medium bowl. Cut the cold butter into small cubes and add it to the flour mixture. Use a pastry cutter, to mix in the butter until it resembles coarse crumbs, about the size of peas. Stir in cranberries and make a well in the center. Set aside.
- Combine eggs, whipping cream, and orange zest. Add the wet ingredients into the well in the flour mixture. Stir just until combined.
- On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough by folding and gently pressing dough for 10 to 12 strokes until nearly smooth. Pat or lightly roll dough into an 8-inch circle and use a sharp knife to cut it into 8 wedges.
- Place wedges 1-inch apart on an ungreased baking sheet. Brush the tops of the scones with milk and sprinkle with additional sugar.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes or until golden brown on the bottom. Remove scones from the baking sheet. Let slightly cool and top with icing.
Icing
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl.
- After scones are slightly cooled, place scones on a large plate and drizzle them with icing.
Notes
- Use cold butter for the best results.
- Handle the dough as little as possible for the best results.
- Use a pastry cutter and a spoon, not a mixer to break the butter into small pieces.
- When patting out the dough, don’t add too much additional flour or the dough can become dense. Just use a light dusting.
- Scones can be frozen and baked from frozen. If baking from frozen, add an extra 5-7 minutes to the baking time.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
Love these! I don’t like sweets at all, these are perfect for a coffee date with the right amount of flavour and moisture. I make these at least twice a week and there are never any left in less than 24 hours. Hubby loves them at night broken up with whipped cream and fruit. I love them plain without the icing with my black coffee and the kids enjoy them with smoked Gouda sliced up . A yummy staple in our home! Thank you!
OMG! These scones are delicious! They are light and have just the right amount of sweetness.
Is heavy cream essential? Or, can you use a lower calorie/fat substitute? (Love scones !)
Hi Becky, heavy cream helps make scones richer and more tender. However you can substitute and they will still be delicious!
I have tried so many sconce recipes and they never come out. This recipe is outstanding! I didn’t have my pastry cutter but I used a fork instead. My boyfriend said it was better than the scones at our favorite scone place. Thank you for sharing this! I will definitely be making these again.
That’s a wonderful compliment! I am so glad this scone recipe was a hit!
hi! quick questions. how many scones does the recipe make. the recipe card says 10 servings but the directions say cut into 8 scones, which is better? also if i replace with fresh cranberries is it long enough cook time to make them soft? have never baked with fresh cranberries before. Thank You!
Sorry for the confusion, this recipe makes 8 scones Lou. Fresh cranberries should be just fine. If you try it I would love to hear how it turns out!
Holly, you have quickly become my “go to” page when looking for new recipes or variations of tried and trues… my entire family always enjoys the meals/treats/recipes cooked up from the “spend with pennies” site. Its to the point where I will google ” whatever I want to cook recipe” and google will autofill “spend with pennies” at the end hahaha
That being said, these scones did not disappoint. My 7 year old daughter has now demanded, or determined… either way… that we will be making a “new pennies scone recipe weekly… to have with our tea and talk treat at bed time” Thank you for all the delicious, fun, and new work you and your team do!!!
Thank you so much for your kind words Barbi, I’m so happy you have enjoyed the recipes! What a special time for you and your daughter and I’m glad you both loved them. <3
I made these scones for the first time and everyone loved them, they were delicious, thank you.
So glad they were a hit Madeline!
I made the orange cranberry scones for the 1st time and my son and his girlfriend love them. There definitely was not 1 left over.
That is awesome, Claudia! So happy they enjoyed them!
BAKE FOR LONGER
Hi Lithia, have you checked your oven temperature with an oven thermometer? Some ovens may take a bit longer than the times listed if the temperature is not quite right. Did you cut it into 10 scones?
I don’t like icing so I didn’t use it . I found them bland -needed more sugar and orange zest at least. the texture was good and certainly easy -but won’t make again
Both additional sugar and orange zest are in the icing so if you leave them out, you may have wanted to add extra to the scones.
I love trying new things
I haven’t enjoyed a scone since my Mom passed in 1989:(
Cranberry Orange Scones
Now to make this in a Gluten Free?
there is a good gluten free vision on King Arthur s Flour website. can’t tell the difference!
Made these for the very first time today. DELICIOUS!!! Easy to follow recipe and quick to make. Will definitely make them again.
I’ve never made scones before but this was a straight forward and easy recipe. It was a huge hit!! I’ll be making these again.
That’s great Amanda! Glad you enjoyed these.
It looks fantastic can’t wait to make these
Do I have to use wheat flour? What types of flour can be used?
I have only made the recipe as written but think that you could substitute all purpose flour Sharon. Let us know if you try it!
How many scones does this recipe make?
This will make 10 scones.
Love Scones and this one sounds yummy on a cool day with a hot cup of tea..under the throw, fav movie..and alone..
YUM!! I love scones! These sound and look delicious! I’m definitely going to make these this weekend. Thank you so much for sharing :)