Cranberry Orange Scones: A Festive Treat for Any Occasion
Cranberry orange scones are a delightful treat, perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon snack. The tangy cranberries and zesty orange create a bright and flavorful combination that’s especially welcome during the holiday season, but enjoyable year-round. This recipe provides detailed instructions to guide you through creating these delicious scones in your own kitchen.
## Why You’ll Love These Cranberry Orange Scones
* **Flavor Explosion:** The combination of tart cranberries and sweet oranges is irresistible.
* **Perfect Texture:** These scones strike the ideal balance between crumbly and moist.
* **Easy to Make:** With straightforward steps and readily available ingredients, anyone can bake these scones.
* **Versatile:** Enjoy them plain, with butter, jam, or a simple glaze.
* **Festive:** The vibrant colors and flavors make them a great addition to holiday gatherings.
## Ingredients You’ll Need
### For the Scones:
* **All-Purpose Flour:** 3 cups (360g), plus more for dusting
* **Granulated Sugar:** ½ cup (100g)
* **Baking Powder:** 2 ½ teaspoons
* **Baking Soda:** ½ teaspoon
* **Salt:** ¼ teaspoon
* **Cold Unsalted Butter:** ½ cup (113g), cut into small cubes
* **Fresh or Frozen Cranberries:** 1 cup (100g), chopped
* **Orange Zest:** 2 tablespoons
* **Buttermilk:** ¾ cup (180ml), cold
* **Large Egg:** 1
* **Vanilla Extract:** 1 teaspoon
### For the Orange Glaze (Optional):
* **Powdered Sugar:** 1 cup (120g)
* **Orange Juice:** 2-3 tablespoons
* **Orange Zest:** 1 teaspoon (optional)
## Equipment You’ll Need
* **Large Mixing Bowl**
* **Pastry Blender or Food Processor**
* **Measuring Cups and Spoons**
* **Liquid Measuring Cup**
* **Zester or Microplane**
* **Cutting Board and Knife**
* **Baking Sheet**
* **Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mat**
* **Wire Rack**
## Step-by-Step Instructions
### Step 1: Prepare the Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This ensures that the leavening agents are evenly distributed throughout the flour mixture, which is crucial for achieving a consistent rise in the scones. Proper mixing also helps prevent pockets of salt or baking powder, which can negatively impact the taste and texture.
### Step 2: Cut in the Butter
Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Use a pastry blender or your fingertips to cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Alternatively, you can use a food processor. Pulse the mixture until the butter is broken down into pea-sized pieces. The key here is to keep the butter cold. Cold butter will create pockets of steam as the scones bake, resulting in a flaky and tender texture. Overworking the butter will melt it and lead to dense, tough scones.
If using your fingertips, work quickly to prevent the butter from melting. The mixture should look like coarse sand with small clumps of butter.
### Step 3: Add Cranberries and Orange Zest
Gently fold in the chopped cranberries and orange zest. Make sure the cranberries are evenly distributed throughout the mixture. The orange zest adds a burst of citrus flavor that complements the tartness of the cranberries. Both fresh and frozen cranberries can be used; if using frozen cranberries, there’s no need to thaw them first.
### Step 4: Whisk the Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, egg, and vanilla extract. Buttermilk adds a tangy flavor and contributes to the scones’ tender texture. If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make a substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to ¾ cup of milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes until slightly curdled.
### Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to gently mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough. Overmixing will develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough scones. The dough should be shaggy and slightly sticky.
### Step 6: Shape the Scones
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Gently pat the dough into a circle about 1 inch thick. Use a sharp knife or a biscuit cutter to cut the circle into 8 wedges or rounds. If you prefer a more rustic look, you can simply cut the circle into triangles.
### Step 7: Bake the Scones
Place the scones on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This prevents the scones from sticking to the baking sheet and ensures even baking. Brush the tops of the scones with a little extra buttermilk or cream for a golden brown finish.
Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through. The baking time may vary depending on your oven, so keep an eye on the scones and check for doneness with a toothpick. A toothpick inserted into the center of a scone should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
### Step 8: Cool and Glaze (Optional)
Remove the scones from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack for at least 10 minutes before glazing. While the scones are cooling, prepare the orange glaze, if desired. To make the glaze, whisk together the powdered sugar, orange juice, and orange zest (if using) in a small bowl until smooth. The consistency of the glaze should be thick but pourable. Add more orange juice if needed to reach the desired consistency.
Drizzle the glaze over the cooled scones. The glaze will add a touch of sweetness and enhance the orange flavor. You can also sprinkle the scones with additional orange zest for a more decorative finish.
## Tips for Perfect Cranberry Orange Scones
* **Use Cold Ingredients:** Cold butter and buttermilk are essential for creating tender, flaky scones. The cold butter creates steam pockets during baking, resulting in a lighter texture.
* **Don’t Overmix:** Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, leading to tough scones. Mix the wet and dry ingredients until just combined.
* **Handle Gently:** Be gentle when patting out and shaping the dough. Avoid overworking the dough, as this can also result in tough scones.
* **Bake at a High Temperature:** A high baking temperature helps the scones rise quickly and develop a golden brown crust.
* **Use Parchment Paper:** Lining the baking sheet with parchment paper prevents the scones from sticking and ensures even baking.
* **Adjust Sweetness:** If you prefer sweeter scones, you can increase the amount of sugar in the recipe. However, keep in mind that the glaze will also add sweetness.
* **Add Nuts:** For added texture and flavor, consider adding chopped nuts, such as walnuts or pecans, to the dough.
* **Experiment with Flavors:** While cranberry and orange are a classic combination, you can experiment with other flavors. Try adding lemon zest, blueberries, or chocolate chips.
* **Freeze for Later:** Baked scones can be frozen for up to 2 months. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. To reheat, thaw the scones at room temperature or in the microwave.
## Variations
* **Lemon Cranberry Scones:** Substitute lemon zest for orange zest for a bright, citrusy twist.
* **Blueberry Orange Scones:** Replace the cranberries with blueberries for a sweeter and milder flavor.
* **Chocolate Chip Cranberry Scones:** Add ½ cup of chocolate chips to the dough for a decadent treat.
* **Maple Glazed Scones:** Replace the orange juice in the glaze with maple syrup for a warm, comforting flavor.
* **Savory Scones:** Omit the sugar and orange zest, and add herbs like rosemary or thyme for a savory scone.
## Serving Suggestions
* **Breakfast or Brunch:** Serve warm scones with butter, jam, or clotted cream.
* **Afternoon Tea:** These scones are a perfect addition to a traditional afternoon tea spread.
* **Holiday Gatherings:** The festive colors and flavors make them ideal for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or other holiday celebrations.
* **Gifts:** Package the scones in a pretty box or basket to give as a thoughtful homemade gift.
* **Coffee or Tea Pairing:** Enjoy with a cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate.
## Nutritional Information (Approximate per scone)
* Calories: 250-300
* Fat: 12-15g
* Saturated Fat: 8-10g
* Cholesterol: 40-50mg
* Sodium: 200-250mg
* Carbohydrates: 35-40g
* Fiber: 1-2g
* Sugar: 15-20g
* Protein: 4-5g
*Note: Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes.*
## Storage Instructions
Store leftover scones in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, freeze the scones as described above.
## Making Ahead
To make the scones ahead of time, you can prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out. When ready to bake, simply remove the dough from the refrigerator, shape the scones, and bake as directed.
## Recipe Card
**Cranberry Orange Scones**
A delightful combination of tart cranberries and zesty orange in a tender, crumbly scone.
**Prep Time:** 20 minutes
**Cook Time:** 15-20 minutes
**Yields:** 8 scones
**Ingredients:**
* 3 cups (360g) all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
* ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
* 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
* ½ teaspoon baking soda
* ¼ teaspoon salt
* ½ cup (113g) cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
* 1 cup (100g) fresh or frozen cranberries, chopped
* 2 tablespoons orange zest
* ¾ cup (180ml) cold buttermilk
* 1 large egg
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
*Optional Orange Glaze:*
* 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar
* 2-3 tablespoons orange juice
* 1 teaspoon orange zest (optional)
**Instructions:**
1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. Cut in cold butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4. Stir in cranberries and orange zest.
5. In a separate bowl, whisk together buttermilk, egg, and vanilla extract.
6. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
7. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and pat into a 1-inch thick circle.
8. Cut into 8 wedges or rounds and place on the prepared baking sheet.
9. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown.
10. Let cool on a wire rack before glazing, if desired.
11. To make the glaze, whisk together powdered sugar, orange juice, and orange zest until smooth. Drizzle over cooled scones.
Enjoy your homemade cranberry orange scones! They’re sure to be a hit with family and friends. This recipe provides a balance of flavors and textures, making them a memorable treat. Remember to follow the tips for the best results, and don’t be afraid to experiment with variations to create your own signature scones.