Orange Craisin Scones

Orange Craisin Scones

This delicious recipe starts with a simple, classic scone dough. Then, I add craisins, candied orange peel, and orange zest for a sweet and tangy kick of flavor. Finally, I bake them to golden perfection and top them with a simple orange vanilla glaze to complete the dish. I serve these for breakfast on their own, with other breakfast treats, or at brunch with my friends.

Why You’ll Love This Orange Craisin Scones Recipe

• They’re easy to make and so delicious.
• They’re great to serve for breakfast, brunch, a midday snack, or even dessert.
• They have the delicious flavor combination of cranberries and orange that pair so well with each other.

Orange Craisin Scones Ingredients

The majority of the ingredients for this recipe are kitchen staples that you probably have in your pantry right now. Anything you don’t have is readily available at your local grocery store.

• All purpose flour
• Sugar
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Cold butter
• Craisins
• Candied orange peel
• Orange zest
• Orange juice
• Half and half
• Powdered sugar

How to Make Orange Craisin Scones

Making these scones is no more difficult than making biscuits, and almost everyone knows how to do that. It only takes a few simple steps and about 45 minutes from start to finish.

Step 1: Prep

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients

Whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a large mixing bowl. Then, cut in the butter with a pastry cutter or 2 forks until crumbly. Add the craisins, candied orange peel, and orange zest and mix.

Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients

Combine the orange juice and half-and-half in a small bowl and stir.

Step 4: Make the Dough

Pour the wet ingredients into the flour mixture and, with clean hands, mix the ingredients until just combined. Add additional orange juice if the dough doesn’t hold together.

Step 5: Make the Scones

Flatten out the dough into a rectangle about 1 inch high. Then, sprinkle it with coarse sugar and gently pat it into the dough. Finally, cut the dough into 8 to 10 triangle wedges and place them on the baking sheet.

Step 6: Bake

Bake the scones for 16 to 20 minutes until browned. Then, remove from the oven and let cool.

Step 7: Make the Glaze

While the scones are baking, combine the powdered sugar, orange juice, and orange zest. When the scones are just warm, drizzle with the sweet orange glaze and serve.

Recipe Tips

• Don’t overmix your dough. Stop mixing as soon as the ingredients are just combined.
• For the perfect scones, place them on the baking sheet so they touch. This encourages them to rise rather than spread.
• Always line your baking sheet with parchment paper so the scones don’t burn or stick.

Recipe Variations

• Use lemon juice, zest, and peel to make lemon cranberry scones.
• Try adding chocolate chips for extra sweetness and flavor.
• Fold in nuts for more flavor and crunch.

What to Serve with Orange Craisin Scones

Scones are super versatile and can be served with savory breakfast options to start the day or sweet additions for brunch or dessert. Try:

• Sausage
• Bacon
• Ham
• Eggs
• Hash browns
• Chocolate
• Fruit
• Whipped cream
• Jam
• Butter
• Honey
• Lemon curd

Recipe FAQ

What is the secret to making good scones?

• Use the coldest butter possible.
• Don’t overmix the dough.
• Chill before baking or place them directly next to each other so they rise, rather than spread.

Can I use milk instead of half and half?

You can. The overall recipe will be a bit less rich, but it will work.

How do you make scones more moist?

You can use buttermilk for ultra-tender scones. In addition, if you freeze your scones, it will make the butter melt more slowly while baking for more moist scones.

Can you freeze homemade scones?

Absolutely. They’ll keep for up to 3 months in the freezer.

Do orange craisin scones need to be refrigerated?

Scones don’t need to be refrigerated if you plan to eat them in a couple of days.

How to Store Leftover Scones

Store these scones in an airtight container at room temperature for a couple of days. You can refrigerate them for up to a week in an airtight container. For longer storage, place the scones in single layers separated by wax or parchment paper in an air-tight, freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months.

Try These Delicious Orange Craisin Scones Today

These orange craisin scones are full of the classic, sweet and tangy flavor combination of oranges and cranberries. They’re so easy to make and so delicious, and everyone always comes back for more. With a combination like that, you’re sure to love them. Give them a try, and I know they’ll have a permanent place in your recipe rotation.

More Delicious Desserts You’ll Enjoy

Cherry Surprise – This is a simple dessert recipe made with seven ingredients. It’s very similar to a cobbler dessert, but with a more cake like topping.

Dark Chocolate Cherry Scones – These scones are easy to make, loaded with pieces of cherries, dark chocolate chunks, and are great for dessert or even brunch.

Skillet Strawberry Shortcake – A delicious shortcake recipe made right in a cast iron. It’s topped with fresh strawberries and homemade whipped cream.

And, these Lemon Blueberry Scones from Great Grub, Delicious Treats. A sweet treat made with fresh lemon and blueberries, baked to a golden brown, and then drizzled with a homemade glaze.