Homemade fresh cranberry orange scones are a treat you can make easily and are perfectly shareable! Made with fresh cranberries, orange zest and orange juice, these cranberry scones will be a hit.

Cranberry Orange Scones Recipe
Making homemade scones is something that seems super intimidating, but it is honestly so easy to do. It's all about technique here.
When I tried cranberry orange scones at Starbucks, I just knew I had to figure out how to make them. I didn't want to spend $4 to buy a Starbucks scones every time I was craving it...which was often.
So I set out to make a copycat recipe from scratch in my own kitchen. And wow, was I successful. I mean, not to toot my own horn but these are so yummy!
I am a notoriously messy cook, my husband can definitely attest to that (thanks for cleaning my dirty kitchen everyday, babe!). But the best part about making scones is that you get to make a mess and it's kind of a part of the process.
You can definitely make scones without getting your hands all dirty and all up in the dough but I'm pretty sure they wouldn't taste as good. They'll always taste better when you knead the dough by hand and have your fingers covered in flour and butter. I promise!
Get your hands dirty making these incredible lemon blueberry scones or healthy orange scones too!
Why You'll Love this Recipe
- Making copycat recipes of popular restaurant items saves you so much money!
- Scones are a great treat to have for dessert or the perfect breakfast item to have with coffee. A multi-use baked good is always a great thing.
- You only need 30 minutes to make a batch of a dozen delicious cranberry orange scones.
If you love the Starbucks cranberry orange scones, then you will love this easy homemade recipe!
Ingredients
Here is what you'll need to grab at the grocery store to make this recipe:
- all purpose flour
- sugar
- baking powder
- salt
- zest from one orange
- unsalted butter
- juice from orange
- eggs
- heavy cream
- cranberries
- powdered sugar
Substitutions and Variations
You can add or omit any of the fruit. If you can't find cranberries, you can use various fresh berries. Strawberries would be great, as well as blueberries.
Add a splash of vanilla extract to these orange cranberry scones for extra flavor. You can also make these chocolatey by adding chocolate chips to the dough, or drizzling the tops of the scones with melted chocolate.
You can use a gluten-free 1:1 flour substitute, such as King Arthur Measure for Measure Flour, to make this recipe without gluten.
Feel free to swap out the refined sugar for coconut sugar. You could also experiment sweetening this cranberry orange scones recipe with maple syrup!
How to Make Cranberry Orange Scones
Now, let's make these scones! Here's what to do:
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, baking powder and orange zest until thoroughly incorporated.
Place cubed butter into the flour mixture, then use a pastry cutter to cut the butter into the flour. You'll want to incorporate the butter in until there are only pea sized pieces left.
Hot Tip: If you don't have a pastry blender, use a metal fork to work the butter into the dry ingredients. You can also use a food processor and pulse the mixture a few times until the butter is incorporated into the flour.
Place the cranberries into the flour mixture and toss them gently.
In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs, orange juice, and heavy cream.
Make a well in the center of the large bowl of dry ingredients.
Pour the wet ingredients into the well and use a pastry scraper to start bring the dough together. Fold the dough over itself, repeating until it forms a consistency that will stay together enough to be kneaded outside of the bowl.
Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and begin kneading it until all ingredients are thoroughly combined and a soft dough forms.
Form the cranberry orange scones into a large circle that is about 1 inch thick. You can use a rolling pin to help you roll it out into the perfect thickness.
Then, using the pastry cutter, a pizza cutter, or a sharp knife cut the dough into 10 separate wedges.
Move each single scone onto a large baking sheet and brush the top of the scones with whole milk.
Bake in a preheated oven for 16-18 minutes, or until each scone is a perfect golden brown color.
Remove from the oven, and allow the fresh scones to cool on the baking tray for 2 minutes.
Then, move them to a wire rack and let cool before serving. Let cool completely before storing them.
Sweet Orange Glaze for Scones
While they cool, make the sweet orange glaze. Whisk together the powdered sugar, heavy cream, and fresh orange juice until smooth and thin.
Once the scones are cool, drizzle the glaze over the top of each tender scone.
Allow the glaze to set a bit, then serve! See? Aren't these better than Starbucks cranberry orange scones?
How to Store Leftover Cranberry Scones
Place completely cooled leftovers from this cranberry orange scones recipe into an airtight container and store a room temperature for 1-2 days. Alternatively, you can place them in the refrigerator and store for up to a week.
Scones also freeze really well! Place them in an airtight container with sheets of parchment paper between layers. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw one whenever you get a craving for a fresh scone!
To reheat, place your scone in the toaster oven, microwave, or oven until warmed through.
What to Eat with Scones
Scones are great sweet treat to enjoy as a snack, a dessert or even during breakfast.
Pair them with your favorite cup of coffee or warm tea. A nice spiced chai tea would be delicious with these orange cranberry scones!
You can also serve something like cheesy breakfast egg muffins alongside a scone for breakfast time. For dessert, just warm up a scone to eat after a delicious dinner of creamy chicken risotto.
Tips for Success
- Be sure you clean your work surface thoroughly before kneading the dough on a countertop. You don't want your perfect scone to be ruined by leftover crumbs on the counter!
- When grating the orange zest, be sure you only get the outer layer of the orange peel. The white part will be bitter.
- Freshly squeezed orange juice will provide the best and most fresh orange flavor in these delicious scones!
FAQ
You can use dried cranberries instead of fresh cranberries. You'll want to use half what the recipe calls for in dried cranberries. You could also use blueberries or strawberries.
Fresh cranberries are perfect for scones because once they are baked they soften and are bursting with flavor.
More Baked Goods Recipes
- Vanilla Glazed Strawberry Orange Scones
- Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins
- Blueberry Chia Seed Muffins
- Chocolate Chip Scones
If you make and love this recipe, please leave a ★★★★★ review below! It means so much to me when you try my recipes, and I'd love to know how it goes. Please leave a comment below if you have any questions.
Fresh Cranberry Orange Scones
Homemade Fresh Cranberry Orange Scones are a treat you can make easily and these little treats are perfect shareable! Made with fresh cranberries, orange zest and orange juice, these cranberry scones will be a hit!
Ingredients
- 2 ยฝ cups all-purpose flour
- 4 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ยผ teaspoon salt
- Zest from one medium orange
- ยฝ cup unsalted butter COLD, cut into chunks
- Juice from half an orange
- 2 eggs
- ยพ cup fresh cranberries
- ยฝ cup heavy cream
For the glaze
- Juice from half an orange
- ยฝ cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
Instructions
- Gather ingredients.
- Whisk together dry ingredients, reserving cranberries.
- Place cold cubed butter in flour mixture. Use a pastry blender to cut butter into the flour until pea sized pieces of the butter are left.
- Gently toss cranberries into flour mixture.
- Create a space in the middle of the flour and set bowl aside. Whisk together liquid ingredients.
- Pour in liquid ingredients and use a flexible pastry scraper to start bringing the dough together, folding it over itself and repeating. Once the dough isn't fully liquid, you can start kneading the dough outside of the bowl on a clean surface with your hands.
- Fold the dough over and knead it until it's come together.
- Form dough into a large circle, about an inch thick.
- Use the pastry blender or a pizza cuter to divide the scones dough into 10 pieces.
- Move scones to a baking sheet and brush tops with milk.
- Bake at 400 for 16-18 minutes or until tops are golden brown.
- When scones are fully cooked, let cool on baking pan for 2 minutes, then move to a wire cooling rack and make your glaze.
For the glaze
- Whisk together ingredients. Consistency should be like thin pancake batter.
- Drizzle over cooled scones.
Notes
Your butter should be COLD. I always cut mine up first, then put it back in the fridge (or even the freezer) for a few minutes before I start working with it.
There may be leftover glaze depending on how much you want on the scones. You can also skip this step and use spread butter on the scone before eating, too.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 292Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 67mgSodium: 237mgCarbohydrates: 38gFiber: 2gSugar: 16gProtein: 5g
Sonia says
These scones came out perfect! The sweet orange glaze drizzled over the scones was the proverbial cherry on top. It added a burst of sweetness and an extra layer of orange flavor that elevated the scones to a whole new level. Don't skip it!
jennifer says
I love the tang of the cranberries with the citrus, such an amazing flavor combo for fall and the upcoming holiday brunch season!
Lucy says
I must be missing something or I don't understand the recipe (although I bake all the time). The recipe says to reserve the cranberries but doesn't tell you when to add them in.
Madison | A Joyfully Mad Kitchen says
Thank you SO much for pointing that out - that was my mistake on the recipe! I just updated it. You want to add the cranberries into your flour mixture after you've cut in the butter. Probably want to just gently toss them into the flour with a spatula or whisk (not the pastry cutter).
I hope you give these a try and love them!
Sue says
These look perfect to make ahead for that busy Thanksgiving morning breakfast.
Madison | A Joyfully Mad Kitchen says
Yes that would be so delicious!
Chelsey says
These look absolutely delicious! Love the classic cranberry orange pairing, and that glaze looks heavenly!
Madison | A Joyfully Mad Kitchen says
Thanks Chelsey!
Christie says
Dad calls scones breakfast cookies. I call them delicious! I love the cranberry and orange combination in these.
Madison | A Joyfully Mad Kitchen says
I can agree with both of those titles ๐
Caroline says
These look tasty. Cranberry and orange go so well and I can definitely see them being tasty in a scone.
Madison | A Joyfully Mad Kitchen says
I'm a bit obsessed with cranberry and orange together these days! Thanks for stopping by ๐
Erin @ The Speckled Palate says
I'm a messy cook, too, so I know how it goes. ๐ And I agree: I don't think scones would be as delicious if you don't get your hands dirty!
I cannot wait to try these beauties at my home. I have a feeling they won't last long...
Madison | A Joyfully Mad Kitchen says
They definitely won't ๐ Ours lasted two days! I brought some to my neighbor who just had a baby, so that's part of the reason why. But they would've been eaten (by me) quickly anyway.
Denise Wells says
Fabulous! I made these today as I had bought some fresh cranberries and hadn't used them over the holidays. These are fabulous! I omitted the glaze as I enjoy them a bit more plain, I sprinkled some baking sugar on them after I brushed on the milk. Thanks so much for sharing these delicious scones!!!!
Denise