Cranberry Orange Bliss Scones

$To make delicious cranberry orange scones, you'll need: - 2 cups all-purpose flour - 1/3 cup granulated sugar - 1 tablespoon baking powder - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1/4 cup 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 - 1/4 cup orange juice These ingredients create a perfect balance of sweet and tart flavors in every bite. You can easily swap some ingredients if needed: - Use whole wheat flour for a healthier option. - Coconut sugar can replace granulated sugar for a different taste. - For dairy-free scones, try almond milk instead of heavy cream. - Replace dried cranberries with raisins or blueberries if you prefer. These substitutions keep the scone's texture while offering new flavors. Fresh ingredients make a huge difference in taste. Fresh orange zest adds bright citrus notes. Cold butter creates a flaky texture, essential for scones. Dried cranberries should be plump and flavorful. Using fresh ingredients ensures your scones taste their best. Always choose the best quality to enhance your baking experience. {{ingredient_image_1}} Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). This step is key for even baking. Next, take a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper. This will help prevent sticking and make cleanup easy. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1/3 cup of granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon of baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Mix well until it looks uniform. Now, add 1/4 cup of cold unsalted butter. Cut the butter into the flour mix using a pastry cutter or your fingers. You want the mixture to look like coarse crumbs. In another bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup of heavy cream, 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 1/4 cup of orange juice. Pour this wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Gently stir until just combined; don’t overmix. The dough should feel a bit sticky. Dust a clean surface with flour and turn the dough out onto it. Knead it gently a few times to bring it all together. Form the dough into a disc about 1 inch thick. Use a sharp knife to cut this disc into 8 wedges. Place the wedges on your prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each one. Now, it's time to bake! Place the baking sheet in your preheated oven. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the tops are lightly golden. Once done, let the scones cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy your freshly baked cranberry orange scones! To get fluffy scones, start with cold butter. This keeps the scones light. Cut the butter into small pieces. Mix it with the flour until it looks like crumbs. Be gentle when adding the wet ingredients. Mix just until combined. Overmixing will make them tough. If the dough feels sticky, that’s normal. It will bake up nice and soft. One big mistake is using warm butter. Warm butter can lead to flat scones. Another mistake is not measuring ingredients correctly. Too much flour can make your scones dry. Also, avoid skipping the zest. The orange zest adds great flavor. Lastly, don’t forget to space out the scones on the baking sheet. They need room to rise. Serve your scones warm for the best taste. A sprinkle of powdered sugar looks nice too. Pair them with orange marmalade or butter. This adds extra flavor. You can also enjoy them with tea or coffee. For a fun twist, add a dollop of whipped cream on top. This makes each bite even more special. Pro Tips Use Cold Ingredients: Ensure your butter and cream are cold to create a flaky texture in the scones. Don’t Overmix: Mix until just combined to keep the scones tender and light. Experiment with Add-ins: Feel free to add nuts or other dried fruits to customize your scones. Serve Fresh: Enjoy the scones warm for the best flavor and texture; they can be reheated briefly in the oven. {{image_2}} You can change the flavor of your scones by adding other fruits or nuts. Try using chopped apples, juicy blueberries, or sweet cherries. You may also add nuts like walnuts or pecans for a crunch. Mix in 1/2 cup of your chosen fruit or nuts into the dough. This keeps the scones exciting and fun. A glaze can make your scones shine and taste even better. To make a simple glaze, mix powdered sugar with a bit of orange juice. Start with 1 cup of sugar and 2 tablespoons of juice. Drizzle it on top after baking. You can also use milk or cream for a creamy glaze. This adds flavor and makes the scones look fancy. If you like savory treats, try adding cheese or herbs. Sharp cheddar or feta makes a nice addition. You can mix in 1/2 cup of cheese into the dough. Adding herbs like rosemary or thyme gives a unique taste. Just use 1 to 2 tablespoons of fresh herbs. This way, you can enjoy a new twist on your cranberry orange scones. To keep your scones fresh, store them in an airtight container. Line the bottom with parchment paper to absorb moisture. Place the scones in a single layer. If you have more, add another layer of parchment paper between them. This helps prevent them from getting soggy. Keep them at room temperature for up to two days. For longer storage, move to the fridge. When you're ready to enjoy a scone, reheat it for the best taste. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Wrap the scone in aluminum foil. This keeps it moist while warming. Heat for about 10 minutes or until warm. If you're in a hurry, you can use a microwave. Heat on medium power for 15-20 seconds. Check to avoid overcooking, as this can make them tough. Freezing is great for long-term storage. Start by letting the scones cool completely. Wrap each one tightly in plastic wrap. Then place them in a freezer bag or airtight container. Label the bag with the date. You can freeze them for up to three months. When you're ready to eat, thaw them in the fridge overnight. Then reheat as mentioned above for the best flavor. You can make dairy-free scones by replacing the butter and heavy cream. Use coconut oil or a dairy-free butter for the butter. For the cream, try almond milk or coconut cream. These swaps keep the scones moist and tasty. Yes, you can use fresh cranberries! Fresh cranberries give a tart flavor. However, you may want to add a bit more sugar to balance the tartness. Chop the fresh cranberries into smaller pieces for even mixing in the dough. These scones pair well with many tasty options. Serve them warm with butter or orange marmalade for a sweet touch. You can also enjoy them with a cup of tea or coffee. Cream cheese or clotted cream adds a nice creamy flavor. Scones are done when they turn a light golden brown on top. You can also check by gently tapping the top. If it feels firm and sounds hollow, they are ready. Let them cool slightly before serving. Cranberry orange scones are easy and fun to make. We covered key ingredients, step-by-step baking, and helpful tips. Fresh ingredients truly boost flavor. Try different fruits or glazing for tasty variations. Store your scones well to keep them fresh. Remember, adjusting for dietary needs is simple. I hope you enjoy making and sharing these delightful treats!$

Cranberry Orange Bliss Scones

Delicious scones infused with cranberries and orange zest, perfect for breakfast or a snack.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 20

Total Time 35

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 8

Calories 200 kcal

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1.33 cups granulated sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
0.5 teaspoon salt
0.25 cups cold unsalted butter, cubed
0.5 cups dried cranberries
1 large zest of orange
0.5 cups heavy cream
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
0.25 cups orange juice

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, sugar, baking powder, and salt until combined.
Add the cubed cold butter to the flour mixture. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to combine 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, vanilla extract, and orange juice.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture and stir gently until just combined (do not overmix). The dough should be slightly sticky.
Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead it gently a few times to bring it together. Form it into a disc about 1 inch thick.
Cut the disc into 8 wedges and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes or until the scones are lightly golden on top.
Let the scones cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Serve the scones warm, dusted with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar and accompanied by a small bowl of orange marmalade or butter on the side for added flavor.

Keyword baking, cranberry, orange, scones