Cranberry Orange Scones recipe - billow soft, crumbly and so easy! | natashaskitchen.com

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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.

Cranberry Orange Scones recipe - billow soft, crumbly and so easy! | natashaskitchen.com

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

Cranberry Orange Scones recipe - billow soft, crumbly and so easy! | natashaskitchen.com

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.

Cranberry Orange Scones-9

2. Toss in 3/4 cup dried cranberries and stir gently to combine. Make a well in the center and set aside

Cranberry Orange Scones-10

3. 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!

Cranberry Orange Scones-11

4. 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)

Cranberry Orange Scones recipe - billow soft, crumbly and so easy! | natashaskitchen.com

5. 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.

Cranberry Orange Scones recipe - billow soft, crumbly and so easy! | natashaskitchen.com

Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook

Cranberry Orange Scones Recipe

4.94 from 110 votes
Author: Natasha Kravchuk
The texture of these cranberry orange scones is phenomenal - billowy soft and crumbly. And they are not overly sweet.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 16 minutes
Total Time: 31 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 12 scones
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3 Tbsp sugar
  • 1 Tbsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 Tbsp grated orange zest, from 1/2 orange, plus more for glaze
  • 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
  • 2/3 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 Tbsp freshly squeezed orange juice

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400˚F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, sift 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 1 eggs and 1/2 cup heavy cream. Pour egg mixture into the flour mixture and use a spatula to stir just until moistened.
  • 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 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, 1 Tbsp freshly squeezed orange juice and a pinch of orange zest. Add more or less powdered sugar or orange juice to reach desired thickness then drizzle over scones.
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Cranberry Orange Scones
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $

If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen

 

Cranberry Orange Scones recipe - billow soft, crumbly and so easy! | natashaskitchen.com

Have you tried scones? What’s your favorite variety?

Cranberry Orange Scones recipe - billow soft, crumbly and so easy! | natashaskitchen.com

Natasha Kravchuk

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the blogger behind Natasha's Kitchen (since 2009). My husband and I run this blog together and share only our best, family approved and tested recipes with YOU. Thanks for stopping by! We are so happy you're here.

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Comments

  • Rebecca
    November 22, 2023

    Is it possible to use an egg replacer on this recipe? My family has egg allergies.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      November 22, 2023

      Hi Rebecca! I haven’t tested a substitute to advise. If you experiment, please let us know how they turn out.

      Reply

  • Ginger S.
    October 19, 2023

    I think you have a mistake in the amount of salt. Under “Ingredients for Cranberry Orange Scones” you list the amount of salt as 1/4 t but in the Directions and in the print view it lists as 1/2 t.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      October 21, 2023

      HI Ginger, thank you for catching that. 1/2 tsp is correct. I have made the fix.

      Reply

      • Ginger
        October 27, 2023

        These are the BEST scones I have ever tasted! I doubled the orange zest to Amp up the orange component and they were spectacular. Will be my go to recipe for scones. Such a delicate crumb as well. Perfection!

        Reply

        • NatashasKitchen.com
          October 27, 2023

          Thank you for sharing, Ginger. That sounds wonderful.

          Reply

  • Jas
    March 2, 2023

    Question: Can the cranberry orange scone recipe be doubled? I’ve also replaced cranberries with strawberries and it’s a great recipe and it’s very good too.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      March 2, 2023

      Hi Jas! Yes, it sure can! 🙂

      Reply

  • Raquel Hogemann
    January 16, 2023

    Amazing… Amazing… Brilliant!!
    I made this Natasha’s recipe twice for my family, and my boys including, took in their lunchboxes.
    Thanks a million Natasha! 🤗

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      January 16, 2023

      You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Raquel! Isn’t it the best when kids love what we parents make?

      Reply

  • Sharon
    January 13, 2023

    For plain scones, can you omit the cranberries and the orange?

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      January 13, 2023

      Hi Sharon. That should be fine. You may also enjoy this recipe for my strawberry scones.

      Reply

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