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- 2 cups all-purpose flour - 1/4 cup granulated sugar - 1 tablespoon baking powder - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cubed - 1/2 cup dried cranberries - Zest of 1 large orange - 1/2 cup heavy cream - 1 large egg - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - 1/2 cup powdered sugar (for glaze) - 1-2 tablespoons fresh orange juice (for glaze) When baking, precise measurements matter. Use a kitchen scale if you can. For flour, spoon it into your measuring cup and level it off. If you need to swap ingredients, you can use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour. The texture may change but it adds flavor. You can also swap heavy cream with milk, but the scones won’t be as rich. For the egg, a flaxseed or chia seed mixture works as an egg substitute. Just mix one tablespoon of seeds with three tablespoons of water and let it sit for a few minutes. Using fresh ingredients is key to great scones. Fresh cranberries give a burst of flavor. Their tartness balances the sweetness of sugar. The orange zest adds a bright note to each bite. Fresh butter creates a flaky texture. Always check for the expiration dates. Quality ingredients enhance the taste, making every scone a delight. {{ingredient_image_1}} Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This step keeps the scones from sticking. In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups of flour, 1/4 cup of sugar, 1 tablespoon of baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Mix until everything blends well. Next, add 6 tablespoons of cold, cubed butter. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to mix it into the flour. You want it to look like coarse crumbs. Then, stir in 1/2 cup of dried cranberries and the zest of 1 large orange. This gives the scones a nice flavor. In a separate bowl, combine 1/2 cup of heavy cream, 1 large egg, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Whisk these ingredients together until smooth. Gradually add the wet mix to the dry mix. Stir gently until a dough forms. Be careful not to overmix. This helps keep the scones light and fluffy. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead it gently a few times until it comes together. Pat the dough into a circle about 1 inch thick. This is key for even cooking. Use a sharp knife to cut the circle into 8 wedges. Place the wedges on your prepared baking sheet, leaving about 1 inch between each scone. This allows them to expand while baking. Bake your scones in the preheated oven for 15 to 18 minutes. Keep an eye on them; they should look lightly golden on top. While they bake, prepare the glaze. Mix 1/2 cup of powdered sugar with enough fresh orange juice to make a drizzle-able consistency. Once the scones are out of the oven, let them cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet. Then, transfer them to a wire rack. Just before serving, drizzle the glaze over the warm scones. Enjoy the sweet aroma! To get the best scones, focus on cold ingredients. Use cold butter and cream. This keeps the scones flaky. Mix the butter into the flour until it looks like crumbs. Don’t overwork the dough. This can make the scones tough. Just mix until everything is combined. Zest is key for flavor. Use the zest of one large orange in your dough. This adds a bright taste. The orange zest wakes up the scone’s flavor. You can also add a bit of fresh juice to the glaze. This makes the scones even more tasty. Serve your scones warm for the best experience. They go great with tea or coffee. You might add a dollop of cream or a smear of butter. For a fun twist, pair them with a fruit jam. Fresh cranberries and orange slices make a lovely garnish. Pro Tips Chill Your Ingredients: For the flakiest scones, ensure your butter and cream are very cold before mixing them into the dough. Don’t Overmix: Mix the dough just until combined to prevent tough scones. A little bit of crumbly texture is okay! Use Fresh Orange Zest: For the best flavor, use fresh orange zest rather than bottled. It enhances the citrus aroma of your scones. Experiment with Add-ins: Feel free to add nuts or chocolate chips to the dough for extra texture and flavor variation. {{image_2}} You can switch some ingredients to suit your taste. For a dairy-free version, use coconut cream instead of heavy cream. Replace butter with coconut oil for a plant-based option. If you want a gluten-free scone, use a gluten-free flour blend. You can also try using maple syrup in place of granulated sugar for a unique flavor twist. To make these scones even tastier, consider adding spices. A pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg can add warmth and depth. You might also try mixing in nuts like walnuts or pecans for crunch. For more citrus flavor, add lemon zest along with the orange zest. You can even fold in chocolate chips for a sweet treat! These scones are great for any time of year. In winter, try adding warm spices like ginger or cardamom. For a spring twist, you can mix in fresh berries like blueberries or raspberries. In the fall, consider adding pumpkin puree and spices for a seasonal delight. Each variation gives you a chance to explore new flavors and textures! To keep your leftover scones fresh, store them in an airtight container. Make sure the container is cool and dry. This helps the scones stay soft for about two days. If you want them to last longer, consider refrigerating them. Just be aware that refrigeration may change the texture slightly. If you want to save scones for later, freezing is a great option. First, let the scones cool completely. Then, wrap each scone in plastic wrap. After that, place them in a freezer bag or container. Label it with the date. Scones can stay fresh in the freezer for up to three months. When you are ready to enjoy them, simply thaw them in the fridge or at room temperature. To reheat the scones, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the scones on a baking sheet. Heat them for about 5-10 minutes. This brings back their warmth and crispiness. You can also microwave them for 20-30 seconds. However, this might make them a bit softer. For the best result, stick to the oven method. Enjoy your scones warm with a drizzle of glaze! Yes, you can use fresh cranberries. However, fresh cranberries are tart. You may want to add more sugar to balance the flavor. Fresh cranberries also release more moisture during baking. This can change the texture of your scones. If you use fresh cranberries, chop them roughly. This makes them easier to mix into the dough. To make scones less crumbly, you need to handle the dough gently. Overworking the dough can lead to dryness. Use cold butter and cream. This helps keep the scones moist. Make sure not to add too much flour when kneading. Just pat the dough into shape and cut it. This keeps the scones light and fluffy. Yes, you can make the dough ahead of time. After mixing, wrap it in plastic wrap. Store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. When you are ready to bake, just roll it out and cut your scones. This saves time on busy mornings or special occasions. To make great scones, you need fresh, quality ingredients and careful steps. Start by measuring and preparing your dough. Pay attention to how you shape and bake them for the best results. Use tips to perfect texture and enhance flavors. Try different ingredients and seasonal options for variety. Store leftovers properly to enjoy later. Remember, you can always prepare the dough ahead. Follow these steps to create delicious, delightful scones every time!

Cranberry Bliss Orange Scones

Delicious scones infused with orange zest and dried cranberries, perfect for breakfast or a snack.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 200 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 0.25 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
  • 6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cubed
  • 0.5 cup dried cranberries
  • 1 large orange zest
  • 0.5 cup heavy cream
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 0.5 cup powdered sugar (for glaze)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice (for glaze)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
  • Add the cold cubed butter to the flour mixture. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  • Stir in the dried cranberries and orange zest until evenly distributed.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, egg, and vanilla extract until combined.
  • Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing gently until a dough forms. Be careful not to overwork the dough.
  • Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead it a few times until it comes together. Pat the dough into a circle about 1 inch thick.
  • Cut the circle into 8 wedges and transfer them to the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, or until the scones are lightly golden on top.
  • While the scones are baking, prepare the glaze by mixing the powdered sugar with enough orange juice to reach a drizzle-able consistency.
  • Once the scones are done baking, let them cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack.
  • Drizzle the glaze over the warm scones just before serving.

Notes

Arrange the scones on a beautiful plate and garnish them with a few fresh cranberries and orange slices for a festive touch!
Keyword baking, cranberry, orange, scones