I love scones. Especially warm scones with my morning coffee. I can’t remember the first time I had one but I know that I was always a sucker for the cranberry orange scones at Caribou Coffee and can’t even imagine how much I’ve spent on them.
Several years ago I found this recipe while looking for something unique for my coworkers for breakfast. (It was my treat day!) It was not only a huge hit but this recipe has become one of my all time favorites. (Really, I mean it. I have proof.) These scones are a bit more of a biscuit versus cake but without being dry at all. And topped with sugar, glaze AND orange butter there is definitely some awesome sweetness!
Please, for the love, if you make this recipe do not skip the orange butter. I could really just a take a spoon and eat that out of the dish by itself. If you like flavored butters such as honey butter, you are going to love this. And if scones or cranberries so aren’t your thing you are nuts then try the orange butter on a bagel and then come back and tell me how awesome I am for sharing this with you. Because I know I am.
Scone Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
10 teaspoons sugar, divided
1 tablespoon grated orange peel
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/3 cup cold butter (or margarine)
1 cup dried cranberries (Craisins)
1/4 cup orange juice
1/4 half and half cream
1 egg
1 tablespoon milk
Glaze Ingredients (optional)
1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
1 tablespoon orange juice
Orange Butter Ingredients
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 to 3 tablespoons orange marmalade
Directions
In medium bowl combine flour, 7 teaspoons sugar, orange peel, baking powder, salt and baking soda.
Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs and set aside.
In small bowl combine cranberries, orange juice, cream and egg.
Add to flour mixture and stir until soft dough forms.
On a floured surface gently knead 6-8 times. Pat dough into an 8 inch circle. Cut into 10 wedges.
Separate wedges and place on ungreased baking sheet. Brush with milk and sprinkle with remaining sugar.
Bake at 400 degrees for 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned.
Combine glaze ingredients (if desired) and drizzle over scones.
Combine orange butter ingredients and serve with warm scones.
This recipe is courtesy of the 2001 Taste of Home Annual Recipes cookbook and was submitted by Karen McBride of Indiana.
Yum! Those look great. I always imagine scones as something very difficult and complicated to make, but this recipe seems totally doable. Thanks for sharing!
i’m freaking out because these look EXACTLY like my favorite scones from starbucks! only, these have friggin’ orange butter, so, YEAH. can’t wait to try this recipe. thanks for sharing! cheers! (-:
Emily I sooooo know what you mean. I love buying them with my coffee too but at around $2 a pop this is a much cheaper and even better tasting alternative. Getting them warm and fresh out of the oven is AWESOME. You will love this recipe and if you serve them to others they will think it is super hard when it so isn’t. 🙂 You’ll have to let me know if you make them!
I love scones too. I get mines from Panera. I never thought about making them myself.
I love scones, and those look so yummy!
these are amazing little treats,there simple and full of flavor! easy to make and smell awesome!i recently made these on one of my baking/craft days with a few friends and they came out fantastic they were a big hit 🙂 thanks for sharing!!
I’m going to make these for Mother’s day. Are they still good the day after or do they dry out too much? Should I keep them sealed in a container or ziplock?
These were WONDERFUL! Orange was the perfect flavor for them! The orange butter was good, but the scones were delicious without it (also with it!)