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+ servings
Buttery scones with tart cranberry bites

Cranberry Scones

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Delicate Cranberry Scones made with fresh cranberries, orange zest, and heavy cream, finished with a sweet orange glaze—perfect for breakfast or brunch.
12 Servings

Ingredients

Scones:

  • 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 4 tablespoons granulated sugar divided
  • 5 tablespoons cold unsalted butter cut into pieces
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup heavy cream plus 2 tablespoons for brushing
  • 1 ½ cups fresh cranberries

Glaze:

  • 1 tablespoon orange juice
  • ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar

Instructions
 

Prepare the oven and dry ingredients

  1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). In the bowl of a food processor, combine the flour, 3 tablespoons of granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Pulse six times, one second each, until combined.

Incorporate the butter

  1. Distribute the cold butter pieces over the flour mixture. Cover and pulse 12 times, one second each, until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Add wet ingredients

  1. Transfer the mixture to a large mixing bowl. Stir in the orange zest, vanilla extract, and 1 cup of heavy cream. Fold gently with a spatula until just combined.

Shape the dough

  1. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead six times, adding flour only if needed to prevent sticking. Roll into a 12-inch square, fold into thirds to form a 4-inch square, and transfer to a floured plate. Freeze for 5 minutes.

Incorporate cranberries

  1. Return the dough to the floured surface and roll again into a 12-inch square. Sprinkle the cranberries evenly over the dough, pressing lightly to adhere. Roll tightly into a log, seam side down, and flatten into a 12x4-inch rectangle.

Cut and arrange

  1. Slice the rectangle into four smaller rectangles, then cut each diagonally to form triangles. Place onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Bake

  1. Brush the tops with 2 tablespoons of heavy cream and sprinkle with the remaining 1 tablespoon of sugar. Bake for 18–25 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.

Glaze and serve

  1. Whisk together the orange juice and confectioners’ sugar until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled scones before serving.

Notes

To make gluten-free cranberry scones, substitute the all-purpose flour with a certified gluten-free flour blend. Ensure the baking powder and confectioners’ sugar are gluten-free. The dough may be slightly more delicate; handle gently and adjust cream by one to two tablespoons if needed.
Bitty