These scones are sweet, tart, crumbly, tender, and so delicious.
Theres no heavy lifting here.
Mix the dough by hand, shape it into two flat rounds, and cut the rounds into wedges.
Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas
Once in the oven, your house will fill with a sweet aroma.
These buttery, flaky scones along with your favorite brew will brighten any chilly morning.
How To Make Scones
Cranberry Orange Scones start with rubbing orange zest into the sugar.
Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas
The zest is the thin outer layer of the orangeit contains flavorful oils.
When you rub it into sugar, it brings out and intensifies the orange flavor.
To the citrus sugar we then addcoldingredients.
Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas
The butter, egg, and heavy cream should come straight from the fridge.
Flattened, cold butter flakes give you laminated dough (think flaky, not dense).
Use your hands to mix the dough.
Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas
You will have a much better sense of the doughs consistency.
Dont overwork the dough.
You just want the clumps to come together.
Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas
It wont be smooth.
This keeps the dough from spreading too much in the oven.
About Cranberries
For this recipe, you’re free to use fresh or frozen cranberries.
Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas
Dont defrost the frozen cranberries if thats what youre using.
They will bleed into the dough and become weirdly mushy.
Pulse them only briefly so you have distinct pieces, not pulverized.
Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas
Personally, I love the surprisingly tart bites of whole cranberries.
Swaps and Substitutions
Here are few ideas for making this recipe your own.
There are so many options!
Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas
Just be sure they are plump and not dried out.
Soak them in orange juice for about 30 minutes and drain well before using.
Glazed: Make a glaze by mixing 1 cup powdered sugar and 1 to 2 tablespoons orange juice.
Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas
Drizzle over the cooled scones and allow the glaze to set for about 10 minutes.
Freeze uncovered until hard.
Layer the frozen scones separated by pieces of parchment in a lidded container or a plastic freezer bag.
Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas
The frozen scones will keep in the freezer for about two months.
To bake scones from frozen:When youre ready to bake the scones, dont defrost them.
Set them on a baking sheet and bake as directed, adding a few minutes to the baking time.
Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas
Leftovers can also be frozen in a lidded container or freezer bag for up to two months.
To reheat, thaw the scones for 20 minutes on your kitchen counter.
Scone Mania!
Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas
In a large bowl, combine the sugar and orange zest.
With your fingers, rub the zest into the sugar to infuse it with the orange oil.
Add the flour, baking powder, and salt, and whisk to combine.
Distribute the butter over the dough and pinch the cubes with your fingers to flatten them.
Toss them in the flour until the mixture looks flaky.
Stir in the cranberries.
In a small bowl or measuring cup, beat the egg and 1 cup heavy cream together.
Drizzle it over the dry ingredients, using one hand to toss the ingredients together until large clumps form.
On a lightly floured work surface, turn out the dough.
Cut it in half using a sharp chefs knife or bench scraper.
Transfer the rounds to the baking sheet.
With the knife or bench scraper, cut each circle into 6 wedges.
Separate the wedges on the baking sheet so they are at least 1 inch apart.
Use a pastry brush to brush the tops of the scones with the remaining 2 tablespoons heavy cream.
Place the baking sheet in the freezer for 15 to 30 minutes.
Remove from the oven and let cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes.
Sprinkle them with powdered sugar.
I recommend serving them right away!
Of course, theyll be wonderful a few hours later, but youll want to gobble them up warm.
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