Cranberry Orange Breakfast Scones

These Cranberry Orange Breakfast Scones will surely bring forth some sort of brightness and holiday cheer to the start of the day for everyone involved. This recipe boasts a super flaky, buttery crust and a delicious sweet + tart filling bursting with orange and cranberry flavors. The perfect festive, flavorful breakfast or brunch recipe for the entire family. Made in under 30 minutes.

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The holidays are always the highlight of my year. Besides the obvious joy and festivities, there is also all the BAKING. Which if it isn't clear already, I LOVE, and what love even more is sharing these easy recipes with you all like this Cranberry Orange Breakfast Scones recipe.

When it comes to scones, I love having these on hand for an indulgent breakfast or brunch. It took some trial and error, but I have mastered the art of the PERFECT SCONE! Some of my absolute favorites are my Dairy-Free Blueberry Almond Scones and, of course, The Best Banana Carrot Cake Scones for my carrot cake and banana bread lovers this is a delicious hybrid. Now that the holiday season is well and truly here, I'm utilizing all the seasonal produce I can, which means CRANBERRIES galore!

If you've been an avid reader of Orchids + Sweet Tea, then you're aware that I love incorporating cranberries into my recipes! And this Orange-Cranberry combo is a killer recipe. Trust me. 

Festive Cranberry Recipes

Cranberry Maple Roast Chicken - This recipe is nothing less than stunning. Its is a show-stopping whole bird brined in herby brine and glazed with a sweet-tart maple syrup sauce. Serve this whole chicken for Thanksgiving, the holidays, or any weeknight. 

Perfect Apple Cranberry Sauce - Leave the canned cranberry sauce behind! This traditional Cranberry Sauce combines cranberries, apples, and orange zest and turns it into the perfect complement to turkey or a vegan roast. The best part - this sauce cooks in less than 10 minutes!

Apple Cranberry Crisp - This recipe is full of seasonal flavors from Granny Smiths, fresh cranberries, brown sugar, warming spices, and coconut cream. It's a dairy-free holiday dessert that's sure to turn heads (with a gluten-free option!)

Vegan Orange Cranberry Bread - The perfect recipe for winter baking! Full of warming spices, a dense and moist texture with a sweet and tart flavor combo. Whipped together in just one bowl. Minimal ingredients are needed. All vegan. Gluten-free option available.

Why this is THE BEST Scone Recipe

• Easy & Quick – These super easy scones only take 30 minutes TOTAL to make!
• Flavor – The cranberry-orangey combo is refreshing & delicious!
• Perfect Texture – Find my tips below to get the perfect texture. I'm talking slightly crisp and flakey on the outside and moist and soft in the middle. YUM.
• Full Of Holiday Cheer - Baked goods + cranberries = HAPPINESS.

TIPS TO MAKING THE BEST FLAKIEST SCONES!

Ok, ok, so there are a few tricks to perfecting this Dairy-free Blueberry Almond Scones recipe! Listen up!

• Always, Always use VERY COLD Butter.

Much like with other pastries, ensuring that you use VERY COLD butter is super important in creating a flaky scone. If you aren’t ready to use your butter right away, be sure to keep it in the refrigerator or freeze it in the meantime while you get the remaining ingredients together.

• Adding Bread or Pastry Flour Helps!

After testing scones in various variations, I’ve realized that adding half bread flour (or pastry flour) along with all-purpose flour made for an airy, flakier scone than just using all-purpose flour. Of course, if you only have all-purpose flour, that’s fine too.

• NEVER Skip The Step with Cutting Your Butter Into Cubes!

For a truly flaky scone, cutting your butter into cubes (or pieces) and then cutting it together with the flour is SUPER IMPORTANT! It definitely ensures that your scone is flaky and soft in the middle.

• Always Use Buttermilk, Even if it’s a Dairy-Free Version.

If you aren’t aware, Buttermilk not only brings a nice ‘tangy’ taste to breads and baked goods, but it also works to tenderize gluten, which gives your baked goods more of a softer texture and body. If you want a dairy-free version, simply use your favorite plant-based milk and add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and let is sit for 15 minutes. Also, Yogurt and Sour Cream make great substitutes.

• Don’t Forget to Brush the Tops!

Before placing your scones into the oven, always brush the tops of them with melted butter, buttermilk, or egg wash. Trust me—-they won’t brown much without it!

• Never Over-Mix The Batter, Just Enough to Well Incorporate Ingredients.

• Always Add Dough to a Floured Surface Before Cutting into Shape.

• NEVER Use a Rolling Pin to Flatten Dough. Only Pat it Around into a Circle.

• ALWAYS Use a Very Sharp Knife or Pastry Cutter to Cut Scones into Triangular Shape. This Avoids ‘Drooping’ of the Sides!

LOOKING FOR A HEALTHIER SWEETENER OPTION?

The Best Healthy Sugar Alternatives + Substitutes list is all about finding better ways to enjoy your favorite sweets without compromising your healthy lifestyle. For those who follow a vegetarian and/or vegan lifestyle, this lists offers a few great ideas to incorporate healthy sweeteners into your diet.

SHOP MY FAVORITE TOOLS FOR COOKING, ESPECIALLY FOR THESE SCONES!

Here, I’ve curated a list of cooking + baking essentials that I use to achieve my favorite baked goods or cooked meals, especially with these Cranberry Orange Scones. Everything from my fave baking sheet, parchment paper, pastry brushes, mixing bowls, and more. SEE THEM HERE!

WHAT YOU'LL LOVE MOST ABOUT THESE SCONES?

• They are SUPER EASY to make.
• Just ONE bowl required.
• A completely flaky and buttery crust.
• The perfect balance of sweet + tart flavors.
• Sweet crumbly edges
• Great healthy option for breakfast or brunch.
• Uses all organic ingredients.
• Just too delicious not to try!

Cranberry Orange Breakfast Breakfast Scones Q + A's

Can these scones be frozen?

Yup, they sure can. Allow the scones to cool completely before transferring to a freezer ziplock bag. Microwave the scones for about 20 seconds on medium heat, or let them thaw at room temperature.

How do I store scones? 

Scones can be kept at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Refrigerate in an airtight container or cover loosely at room temperature.

Should I use fresh, frozen, or dried cranberries in this recipe?

For this recipe, you can use fresh or frozen cranberries! But I do not recommend using dried cranberries. They don't give off much flavor. But if you're in a pinch and only have dried cranberries on hand, I would suggest soaking them in hot water for 15 minutes or so to rehydrate the fruit a bit. Or try one of my other scone recipes!

Can I make these Gluten Free?

Yes. I personally love the 1-to-1 Baking Flour from Bob’s Red Mill, but any gluten-free baking flour replacement will work. 

More Delicious Breakfast + Brunch Recipes

• Pumpkin French Toast
• Vegan Apple Cinnamon Pull-Apart Bread
• Blackberry White Chocolate Oatmeal Scones
• Blueberry French Toast Casserole
• Homemade Vegan Strawberry Pop Tarts
• Vegan Cinnamon Crunch Banana Bread
• Southern Caprese Biscuit Breakfast Strata
• Vegan Lemon Cream Cheese Breakfast Toast + Roasted Blackberries

MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?

If you choose to make this Cranberry Orange Breakfast Scones recipe or any other recipe from us, be sure to tag us on Instagram at #Orchidsandsweettea so that we can share the love!

Cranberry Orange Breakfast Scones

March 11, 2020 •

By Shanika

5 from 6 votes

These Cranberry Orange Breakfast Scones will surely bring forth some sort of brightness to the start of your day for everyone involved. This recipe boasts a super flaky, buttery crust and a delicious sweet + tart filling bursting with orange and cranberry flavors. The perfect breakfast or brunch recipe for the entire family. Made in under 30 minutes.

Prep Time: 15 minutes mins

Cook Time: 15 minutes mins

Total Time: 30 minutes mins

Serves: 8 Servings

Units:

US Customary|Metric

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Ingredients

• 1 ¼ cups organic All-purpose flour (I use Bob's Red Mill)
• 1 cup organic pastry flour  (I use Bob's Red Mill)
• ½ cup organic pure cane sugar (I use Wholesome Sweets)
• 2 tsps baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• ½ cup unsalted butter, VERY cold + cubed (I use Land 'O Lakes)
• ¾ cup 'Buttermilk' + 1 tablespoon if needed! (I use Organic Valley; See Notes!)
• 1 large egg  (I use Organic Valley)
• ⅓ cup juice of an orange (That's about 1 medium Navel orange!)
• 1 cup cranberries, fresh or frozen (See Notes!)

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare two baking sheets with parchment paper.
• In a large bowl, add both flours, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, pure cane sugar, sea salt and whisk until well blended together.
• Add butter into the dry ingredients and using a pastry blender, blend it until it resembles “peas”. Once done, create a medium-sized well into the middle of the dry ingredients.
• In separate bowl, whisk together the ‘buttermilk’, orange juice, and egg, until well combined. Pour wet ingredients into the well of the dry ingredients and mix everything together using a spatula.
• Fold in cranberries until well incorporated.
• Now, using your hand, knead the dough a few times before placing it onto a floured surface.
• Once on the floured surface, pat and shape dough into an 8-inch round circle. Using a very sharp knife (or pastry cutter), slice into 8 equal wedges (triangular shaped), dusting knife or pastry cutter with flour incase dough is on the stickier side.
• Place sliced scones onto the prepped baking sheets and brush tops with a little of the “buttermilk’ or egg wash. Bake for 13-15 minutes until tops are golden brown and the center comes out clean after inserting a toothpick.
• Remove from the oven and let cool for 2-3 minutes before serving.
• Bon Appetit!

Tips & Tricks

• STORAGE: Leftovers can be stored in an air-tight container and refrigerated for 1-2 days for best taste. Reheat when to eat again.
• BUTTERMILK: Add ¼ cup of your favorite non-dairy milk (or heavy whipping cream) + 1 tablespoon lemon juice, stir and let sit for 10-15 minutes. 
• CRANBERRIES: If using frozen cranberries, be sure to toss them in 1 tablespoon of arrowroot starch or flour before folding them into the scone batter.
• TIPS FOR MAKING FLAKY SCONES: See above details in the post above recipe.
   

Nutrition

Calories: 302kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 56mg | Sodium: 321mg | Potassium: 157mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 458IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 112mg | Iron: 2mg

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Cranberry Orange Breakfast Scones.

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