Orange Cranberry Cream Scones Recipe
If you love bright citrus flavor paired with tart cranberries, these Orange Cranberry Cream Scones are the perfect bakery-style treat. Soft, tender, and slightly crumbly, these scones are made with heavy cream for richness and fresh orange zest for a burst of flavor in every bite.
Perfect for breakfast, brunch, holidays, or afternoon tea, this easy homemade scone recipe delivers beautiful texture and balanced sweetness. The sweet orange glaze on top makes them look and taste like they came straight from a café.
If your blog focuses on breakfast recipes or seasonal baked goods, this orange cranberry scones recipe is excellent for winter and holiday SEO traffic.
Ingredients
For the Scones:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Zest of 1 large orange
- ½ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup dried cranberries
For the Orange Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- ½ teaspoon orange zest
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and orange zest.
- Cut in cold butter using a pastry cutter or fingertips until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Stir in dried cranberries.
- In a separate bowl, combine heavy cream and vanilla.
- Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and mix just until combined. Do not overmix.
- Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and shape into a circle about 1-inch thick.
- Cut into 8 wedges and transfer to baking sheet.
- Bake for 15–18 minutes, until lightly golden.
- Cool slightly before adding glaze.
Make the Glaze:
- Whisk powdered sugar, orange juice, and zest until smooth.
- Drizzle over warm scones and allow to set.
Tips for Perfect Cream Scones
- Use very cold butter for flaky texture.
- Do not overwork the dough.
- Chill dough for 15 minutes before baking for better rise.
- Use fresh orange zest for best flavor.
Flavor Variations
- Add white chocolate chips.
- Substitute fresh cranberries (toss in flour first).
- Use lemon zest for a citrus twist.
- Skip glaze and sprinkle coarse sugar before baking.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve warm with butter
- Pair with coffee or tea
- Perfect for holiday brunch
- Add to a breakfast charcuterie board
Storage Instructions
- Store at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Refrigerate up to 5 days.
- Freeze unglazed scones for up to 2 months.