The ultimate homemade Cranberry Orange Scones recipe loaded with so much flavor! Flaky and soft scones loaded with cranberries, orange zest, and topped with a sweet citrus sugar glaze.

A baking sheet full of cranberry orange scones topped with a sugar glaze.

Just like our lemon Blueberry Scones, these cranberry scones are so delicious for breakfast with hot coffee or tea.

Enjoy the detailed video tutorial on How to Make the BEST Cranberry Orange Scones. Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel!

CRANBERRY ORANGE SCONES-

An easy and quick recipe for scones. Buttery are flaky scones, similar to a sweet biscuit and loaded with fresh cranberries and orange. The combination of the two is so delicious!

The citrus sugar glaze is so EASY to make and brings the flavors of the scones together!

The scones are perfect for Holiday baking
and has similar flavors to our amazing Cranberry Orange Bread Loaf.
A close up of cranberry scone topped with glaze.

HOW TO MAKE CRANBERRY SCONES-

It is very important to get the mixing process of scones correct or the scones will not turn out right!

  • BUTTER– Cube the butter and freeze until needed. TIP: Having cold butter is KEY to the perfect scones.
  • DRY INGREDIENTS– In a bowl, sift together the flour and baking powder. Add the frozen butter into the dry ingredients and mix with a pastry cutter until coarse crumbs.
  • WET INGREDIENTS– In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs and sugar. Add the orange juice, orange zest, heavy whipping cream, and whisk until combined.
  • CRANBERRIES– Add the cranberries into the wet ingredients and mix. TIP: Halve some of the cranberries for extra flavor to release while baking.
  • COMBINE– Create a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour in the wet ingredients and gently fold until crumbly.
Step by step collage on how to make  cranberry scones.
  • SHAPE– Dust workspace with flour and transfer batter onto the surface. Shape into an 8-inch disk. Divide into 8 even-sized scones and transfer to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  • BAKEBrush the scones with melted butter and top with coarse sugar and orange zest. Bake at 375F for 16-18 minutes or until golden.
  • GLAZE– Meanwhile, combine powdered sugar with orange juice and whisk until a thick and creamy glaze is created. Once the scones are baked and slightly cooked, drizzle the glaze over the scones!

Cranberry scones stacked on top of each other with icing on a baking sheet.

CAN I MAKE SCONES IN ADVANCE?

Yes, the easy cranberry orange scone recipe can be made as early as the night before! Prepare and shape the scones. Transfer to a baking sheet, cover tightly and refrigerate until ready to bake. Bake the cold scones a few extra minutes.

CAN I FREEZE CRANBERRY SCONES?

Yes, you may freeze the uncooked scone batter by storing it in an airtight container and then bake frozen by adding a few more minutes to the original bake time.

CAN I MAKE SMALLER SCONES?

These scones are large and billowy. For thinner scones, roll the batter out to a 10-inch disk. For smaller scones, divide the batter into 10-12 scones and bake less.

Cranberry orange scone topped with powdered sugar and sugar glaze.

If you’ve never made scones, don’t feel intimidated. They are much easier to make than you think.

OTHER DESSERT TO TRY-

Cranberry Orange Scones

Print
5 from 3 votes
The BEST Cranberry Orange Scones recipe loaded with flavor! Flaky and buttery scones loaded with cranberries, orange zest, and topped with a sweet citrus glaze.
Author: Valentina
Prep Time: 14 minutes
Cook Time: 16 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 8 scones

Ingredients

  • 8 Tbsp unsalted butter, divided
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, measured then sifted
  • 1 Tbsp baking powder
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 3 Tbsp orange juice
  • 2 Tbsp fresh orange zest
  • 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1 1/4 cups fresh cranberries

glaze-

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375°F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
  • Cube 7 Tbsp butter and place into the freezer until needed, reserving 1 Tbsp.
  • Combine the flour with the baking powder. Add in the frozen butter and with a pastry cutter mix until crumbly. Don't overmix.
  • Whisk together the sugar and eggs. Add in orange juice and zest, heavy whipping cream and whisk. Add in the cranberries and stir.
  • Create a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour in the wet mixture. Mix until the mixture begins to crumble.
  • Sprinkle workspace with flour and add the scone batter mixture onto the workspace and shape an 8-inch disk. The mixture should be crumbly, don't overmix.
  • Using a pastry scraper, divide the batter into eight even-sized scones.
  • Transfer the scones onto baking sheet.
  • Melt reserved 1 Tbsp of butter and brush the top of scones, then top with coarse sugar.
  • Bake scones 16-18 minutes, until tops are golden.
  • Meanwhile, whisk the powdered sugar and orange juice for the glaze.
  • Allow scones to cool before drizzling with the glaze.

Nutrition

Calories: 366kcalCarbohydrates: 51gProtein: 6gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 81mgSodium: 23mgPotassium: 240mgFiber: 2gSugar: 19gVitamin A: 547IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 88mgIron: 2mg
(The nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.)