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Bakery-Style Flaky Cranberry Orange Scones with Zesty Orange Glaze

A close-up of a freshly baked cranberry orange scone topped with white vanilla glaze, showing dried cranberries inside.
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Make tender, flaky cranberry orange scones from scratch. This recipe delivers bakery-quality results with a bright citrus flavor and a simple sweet orange glaze, perfect for holiday brunch.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
  • 1 cup dried or fresh cranberries
  • Zest of 1 large orange
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream, plus more for brushing
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • For the Glaze: 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice

Instructions

  1. Combine the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Whisk these dry ingredients together.
  2. Cut the cold butter into the flour mixture using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining.
  3. Stir in the cranberries and orange zest until they distribute evenly throughout the flour mixture.
  4. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the egg, heavy cream, and vanilla extract.
  5. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Use a fork to mix until just combined. Do not overmix; the dough will look shaggy.
  6. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Gently knead 3 or 4 times to bring the dough together. Pat the dough into a 3/4-inch thick circle.
  7. Cut the circle into 8 equal wedges, like a pizza. Place the wedges onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
  8. Brush the tops of the scones lightly with heavy cream.
  9. Bake in a preheated oven at 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown.
  10. While the scones cool slightly, prepare the glaze. Whisk the powdered sugar and orange juice together until smooth. Add more juice, a half teaspoon at a time, if the glaze is too thick.
  11. Drizzle the orange glaze over the warm scones. Let the glaze set before serving.

Notes

  • For the flakiest texture, keep your butter and cream very cold before mixing.
  • If you use frozen cranberries, do not thaw them before adding them to the dough.
  • You can make these scones ahead; store unglazed scones in an airtight container for up to 2 days, or freeze them baked for up to 1 month.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookincorner.com/cranberry-orange-scones-recipe-flaky-glaze/