These homemade cranberry orange scones are a delicious blend of sweet and tart in every bite. Made with frozen cranberries, fresh orange zest, and topped with a simple orange glaze, they're flaky on the outside and tender inside, ready in just 30 minutes.
Updated November 2025: Added detailed FAQs, storage tips, and recipe variations based on reader questions. Clarified that frozen cranberries work just as well as fresh. It was originally posted on December 30, 2016, and refreshed on November 24, 2021, with new photos.
I've been perfecting scones for 9+ years, and I've learned that the secret to tender, flaky scones is handling the dough as little as possible. After making countless batches, I discovered that frozen cranberries actually work better than fresh because they keep the dough cold while adding beautiful bursts of tart flavor.
What You'll Need
Ingredients Overview:
- All-Purpose Flour - Use plain all-purpose flour.
- Frozen Cranberries - These work best and just as well as fresh. Plus they can be used to make this recipe any time of the year.
- Orange (Zest & Juice) - Adds the orange flavor and provides a nice citrus balance.
- Baking Powder - Provides acid to the mixture to give great texture.
- Granulated Sugar - Provides sweetness.
- Kosher Salt - Balances the flavors of the scones.
- Heavy Cream - Helps the mixture stick together and keeps the scones moist.
- Powdered Sugar - The base of the glaze.
👉🏾 See the recipe card below for exact quantities and full instructions.
Essential Tools:
- Large mixing bowl
- Whisk or fork
- Pizza wheel or sharp knife (for cutting scones)
- Parchment-lined baking sheet
- Box grater (optional, for zesting)
Expert Tips Before You Start
- Keep Everything Cold: Cold butter and cream create steam pockets that make scones flaky.
- Don't Overmix: Stir just until combined. Overworking makes tough, dry scones.
- Use Frozen Cranberries: They're easier to work with and available year-round.
- Shape Like Pizza: Form dough into a circle and cut into wedges for uniform scones.
Why This Recipe Works
The combination of heavy cream and minimal handling creates tender, bakery-style scones. Frozen cranberries add tart flavor without making the dough too wet, while fresh orange zest provides bright citrus notes that balance the sweetness perfectly.
📖 Recipe
Cranberry Orange Scones Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Large Sheet Pan
- 1 large mixing bowl
- 1 small mixing bowl
Ingredients
- Scones:
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ¼ teaspoons baking powder
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 ¼ cups heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 1 ½ teaspoon orange juice
- 1 cup frozen cranberries
- Glaze:
- 1 ¼ cups powdered sugar
- ¼ cup orange juice
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper, set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, sift together the 1 ¾ cups flour, 2 ¼ teaspoons baking powder, 2 tablespoons sugar, ¼ teaspoon salt, and whisk together to make sure combined.
- In a small mixing bowl, stir together the 1 ¼ cups heavy cream, 1 tablespoon orange zest, 1 ½ teaspoons orange juice, and 1 cup frozen cranberries.
- Make a well in the flour mixture and slowly pour in the heavy cream mixture and stir until everything comes together to form a soft dough.
- Turn the dough out on a clean lightly floured surface and turn it a few times until the dough sticks together in a ball. Flatten out the ball to form a circle about ¾ inches thick and cut the same way as you would a pizza.
- Place the scones on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes, or until the scones are golden brown.
- Carefully remove the cranberry orange scones from the oven and while they are cooling for a few minutes make the orange glaze in a small bowl by whisking together the 1 ¼ cups powdered sugar, ¼ cup orange juice, and 1 teaspoon orange zest. If you would like a thicker glaze, then add additional powdered sugar and if you would like a thinner glaze, then add additional orange juice.
- Evenly drizzle the glaze over each scone and serve warm or at room temperature. Enjoy!
Notes
- For flakier scones, keep butter and cream very cold.
- Don't overmix the dough, stir just until combined.
- Frozen cranberries work just as well as fresh.
- For thicker glaze, add more powdered sugar; for thinner, add more orange juice.
- Storage: Store in airtight container at room temperature for 3 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
After You Bake
Storage & Reheating
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Refrigerator: Keep in a sealed container for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze unbaked scones for up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding 2-3 minutes to bake time.
- Reheating Tip: Warm in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes to restore the crispy exterior.
Serving Suggestions
These cranberry orange scones are perfect for:
- Weekend brunch with coffee or tea
- Holiday breakfast alongside egg dishes
- Afternoon tea with clotted cream or butter
- Make-ahead breakfast (bake the night before)
Pair with your Sheet Pan Breakfast Bake or Sun Dried Tomato Quiche for a complete morning meal.
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Recipe Variations
- Lemon Cranberry: Replace orange zest and juice with lemon.
- Spiced Scones: Add ½ teaspoon cinnamon and ¼ teaspoon cardamom to dry ingredients.
- White Chocolate Cranberry: Fold in ½ cup white chocolate chips with the cranberries.
- Savory Version: Omit sugar and glaze; add fresh herbs and cheddar cheese.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Fresh cranberries work well. You may want to add 1-2 teaspoons more sugar, as fresh cranberries are more tart.
Absolutely. Use the same amount, though dried cranberries are sweeter and less tart.
Your butter or cream got too warm. Make sure all ingredients are very cold, and consider chilling the cut scones for 15 minutes before baking.
Yes! Cut the scones, place them on a baking sheet, and refrigerate overnight. Bake fresh in the morning, adding 2-3 minutes to the bake time.
Heavy cream creates the richest, most tender scones, but you can substitute half-and-half in a pinch.
Have any comments, questions, or other delicious ideas for these delicious Cranberry Orange Scones? Please share them in the comments below!
Sonya says
I still haven't tried making scones, but your scone recipes always look yummy.
admin says
Thank you! They are pretty easy...give it a try 🙂
Akaleistar says
Those scones look like a yummy way to start off 2017 🙂
admin says
Thank you...I agree! Happy New Year 🙂