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Cranberry Orange Scones

Cranberry Orange Scones
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Brighten your breakfast with these warm, fluffy Cranberry Orange Scones, featuring a perfect balance of tangy citrus and tart cranberries. Easy to make and ready in under 30 minutes, they’re ideal for cozy mornings, brunch, or a delightful snack alongside coffee or tea.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
  • 1 tablespoon fresh orange zest
  • 3/4 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Ingredients: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and gather all ingredients. Measure the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut the cold unsalted butter into small cubes to ensure even mixing and flaky texture.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and fresh orange zest. Stir well to evenly distribute the zest for consistent citrus flavor throughout the scones.
  3. Cut in the Butter: Using a pastry cutter or your fingertips, blend the cold butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized chunks of butter visible. This step is crucial for creating flaky layers.
  4. Add Cranberries: Gently fold the dried cranberries into the mixture, ensuring they are evenly scattered without breaking down.
  5. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, egg, and vanilla extract. Pour this mixture into the dry ingredients and stir just until the dough comes together, being careful not to overmix.
  6. Shape and Cut: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently pat it into a 1-inch thick circle. Cut the dough into 8 wedges or use a cookie cutter for round scones, handling the dough gently to keep it tender.
  7. Bake Until Golden: Place the scones on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush lightly with cream for a shiny finish. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden and cooked through.

Notes

  • Keep butter cold to ensure flaky texture by creating steam pockets during baking.
  • Do not overmix the dough; combine wet and dry ingredients just until moistened to avoid tough scones.
  • Use fresh orange zest for maximum flavor and aroma rather than dried zest.
  • Pat dough about 1 inch thick for even baking and moist interior.
  • Allow scones to cool slightly before serving to set texture and prevent crumbling.

Nutrition

Keywords: cranberry scones, orange zest scones, breakfast scones, citrus scones, easy scones, brunch recipe

Find it online: https://sophiespace.com/cranberry-orange-scones/