Cranberry Orange Scones

$- 2 cups all-purpose flour - 1/4 cup granulated sugar - 1 tablespoon baking powder - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed - 1/2 cup fresh cranberries, chopped - Zest of 1 large orange - 1/2 cup buttermilk (or milk with vinegar) - 1 large egg - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - 1/4 cup powdered sugar - 1 tablespoon orange juice - Clotted cream - Butter - Fresh cranberries and orange slices for garnish Using the right ingredients makes a huge difference in your scones. You need fresh cranberries for a bright flavor. The zest of the orange adds a nice touch, waking up your taste buds. Cold butter creates that perfect flaky texture. I like to use buttermilk because it gives a nice richness. If you want a sweet finish, mix powdered sugar and orange juice for a glaze. You can serve these scones with clotted cream or butter. Garnishing with cranberries and orange slices makes them look pretty. You can find the full recipe for Zesty Cranberry Orange Scones if you want to try this delightful treat! - Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). - Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup. - In a large bowl, combine 2 cups of flour, 1/4 cup of sugar, 1 tablespoon of baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Mix well to blend all the dry ingredients. - Take 1/2 cup of cold, cubed butter and add it to the flour mixture. - Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to blend the butter in. - Keep mixing until it looks like coarse crumbs. - In a separate bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup of buttermilk, 1 large egg, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. - Pour this wet mixture into your dry ingredients. Stir gently to combine. - Be careful not to over-mix; it’s okay if some dry bits remain. - Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. - Knead it a couple of times, then shape it into a circle that is about 1 inch thick. - Cut the circle into 8 wedges and place them on the prepared baking sheet. - Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 15-18 minutes until they turn golden brown. - Once baked, cool them slightly before glazing. - You can find the full recipe for additional tips on glazing and serving. To make perfect scones, start with the right texture. Avoid over-mixing your dough. Mix until just combined. You want fluffy, soft scones. Over-mixing creates tough scones. Use cold ingredients for the best rise. Cold butter helps your scones puff up nicely. Creating a smooth glaze is easy. Mix orange juice with powdered sugar in a bowl. Stir until no lumps remain. This glaze adds a sweet touch to your scones. Drizzle the glaze over warm scones. The warmth helps the glaze soak in better. Serve your scones warm for the best taste. Pair them with clotted cream for a rich flavor. Fresh fruit adds a nice touch, too. I love to add slices of orange for extra zest. Arrange the scones on a platter for a pretty display. Garnish with fresh cranberries for a pop of color. Enjoy your delightful morning treat! {{image_2}} You can make your cranberry orange scones even more fun. Try adding chocolate chips for a sweet twist. Nuts like pecans or walnuts add a nice crunch. Dried fruits like apricots or cherries can also work well. Seasonal fruits, like blueberries or raspberries, can change the flavor too! These simple swaps keep your scones fresh and exciting. If you need a gluten-free option, don't worry! You can use gluten-free flour blends. Look for a blend that has a good mix of flours. This will give you a light and fluffy texture. Just remember to add a bit of xanthan gum if your blend does not include it. This helps hold everything together. Do you like your scones sweeter or less sweet? You can adjust the sugar to your taste. If you want a lighter scone, reduce the sugar by a couple of tablespoons. For a sweeter treat, feel free to add more. You can also mix in honey or maple syrup for a different flavor. Just remember to adjust your liquid ingredients if you add more sweeteners. For the full recipe, check out Zesty Cranberry Orange Scones . To keep your scones fresh, use an airtight container. This helps lock in moisture and flavor. Store them at room temperature for up to two days. If you want to keep them longer, the fridge is a good option. Just remember to let them cool completely before sealing them up. Freezing scones is easy. Start by letting them cool fully. Place them on a baking sheet in a single layer. Freeze them for about an hour. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag. Remove as much air as possible. Label the bag with the date. You can freeze them for up to three months. When you're ready to enjoy, you can bake them straight from the freezer. Reheating scones is simple. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the scones on a baking sheet. Heat them for about 5-10 minutes. This keeps them warm and restores their crispness. If you want a quick option, use a microwave. Heat them for about 15-20 seconds. However, this may make them soft. For the best taste, stick to the oven method. You can easily make buttermilk at home. Mix one tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice with one cup of milk. Let it sit for five minutes. You can also use plain yogurt or sour cream, thinned with a bit of milk. These options work well in your scones and keep them moist. To check if your scones are done, look for a golden brown color on top. You can also gently tap the bottom. If it sounds hollow, they are ready. Use a toothpick to poke the center. It should come out clean. Yes, you can freeze unbaked scone dough. After shaping the dough into wedges, place them on a baking sheet. Freeze until firm, then transfer to a bag. When ready to bake, preheat your oven and bake straight from frozen. Add a few extra minutes to the bake time. Serve cranberry orange scones warm for the best taste. Pair them with clotted cream or butter for added richness. You can also enjoy them with jam or fresh fruit. They look great on a platter with orange slices and cranberries for a fun touch. A scone can turn crumbly or tough if you over-mix the dough. Always mix gently until just combined. Using cold butter also helps create a light texture. If your ingredients are too warm, the scones can lose their rise and become dense. You can find the full recipe for these delightful scones in "Zesty Cranberry Orange Scones ". Enjoy making them! In this blog post, we explored the delightful world of Zesty Cranberry Orange Scones. We covered the key ingredients, step-by-step baking instructions, and tips for perfect scones. Remember to adjust sugar levels and consider fun variations to make your scones unique. Enjoy serving them warm with clotted cream and fresh fruit for a delightful treat. Baking should be fun and tasty, so get creative and enjoy every bite!$

Cranberry Orange Scones

Elevate your baking game with these delightful zesty cranberry orange scones! Perfect for breakfast or a sweet treat, these scones combine fresh cranberries and fragrant orange zest for a burst of flavor in every bite. With a simple recipe and quick prep time, you can impress your friends and family in no time.

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Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed

1/2 cup fresh cranberries, chopped

Zest of 1 large orange

1/2 cup buttermilk (or milk with 1/2 tablespoon vinegar mixed in)

1 large egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional: 1/4 cup powdered sugar (for glaze)

Optional: 1 tablespoon orange juice (for glaze)

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt until well combined.

Add the cold, cubed butter into the flour mixture. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, blend until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Stir in the chopped cranberries and orange zest.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth.

Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir gently until just combined; do not over-mix.

Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead it a couple of times. Pat it into a circle about 1 inch thick.

Cut the dough into 8 wedges and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spaced slightly apart.

Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until they are golden brown.

While the scones are baking, prepare the glaze by mixing the powdered sugar and orange juice in a small bowl until smooth.

Once the scones are done, allow them to cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet, then drizzle the glaze over the warm scones.

Serve warm or at room temperature.

Prep Time: 15 mins | Total Time: 33 mins | Servings: 8 scones

- Presentation Tips: Arrange the scones on a beautiful platter and garnish with a few fresh cranberries and some orange slices for a pop of color. Serve with clotted cream or butter on the side for an extra touch!