Better than Starbucks Cranberry Orange Scones
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Even though I don’t drink coffee {crazy, I know}, I’m still a huge Starbucks fan.
I feel like I’m going on a mini retreat when step inside and order my favorite Double Chocolately Chip Frappuccino. And if it’s close to lunchtime, I’ll splurge and get a warmed-up Cranberry Orange Scone too. Living dangerously, I tell you.
The last time I bit into a warm scone though, I had the most anti-Starbucks thought ever. I wondered if I could make my own Cranberry Orange Scone recipe at home.
I got right to work in the kitchen and glory be—got it right on the first try. It helps when you adapt a previous scone recipe, but still. I was kind of proud of myself!
I have to tell you—these scones are out of this WORLD. In fact, they tasted so good, Joseph {who isn’t a big fan of scones in the first place} couldn’t stop eating them! He was huge fan, and I know you will be too.
Sorry Starbucks, but this recipe is way better.
How to Make Cranberry Orange Scones
Step 1: Preheat oven to 425 degrees and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper. Then in a food processor, add flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda and lightly mix. Add butter and pulse until mixture is coarse.
Step 2: Place mixture into a bowl and make a well in the center. Add egg, vanilla, orange zest, and buttermilk.
Step 3: Whisk with a fork until dough is soft, then stir in cranberries.
Step 4: Kneed gently on a lightly floured surface. Then pat with your hands until dough is about 1″ thick. Cut into triangles.
Step 5: Place triangles on prepared baking sheet, and brush with melted butter. Put the scones in the oven and turn the temperature down to 400 degrees.
Step 6: Bake for 12-18 minutes, until outside just begins to brown. Drizzle with icing, if desired.
Better than Starbucks Cranberry Orange Scones
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 14–20 Scones 1x
Ingredients
- 4 cups all purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 4 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 cup unsalted butter cut into small pieces
- 1 egg
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- zest from 1 mandarin orange
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 4 tablespoons melted butter
For the Glaze:
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- 2 1/2 cup confectioner’s sugar
- milk, as required
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a food processor add flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda and lightly mix. Add butter and pulse until mixture is coarse.
- Place mixture into a bowl and make a well in the center. Add egg, vanilla, orange zest, and buttermilk. Stir with a fork until dough is soft. Stir in cranberries.
- Kneed gently on a lightly floured surface. Then pat with your hands until dough is about 1″ thick. Cut into triangles. Place triangles on the prepared baking sheet, and brush with melted butter. Put the scones in the oven and turn the temperature down to 400 degrees.
- Bake for 12-18 minutes, until outside just begins to brown.
- Mix icing ingredients and drizzle over warm scones.
- Prep Time: 12 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Cuisine: British
Keywords: cranberry orange scones, scones
Total Cost: $4.47 for the batch or $.31/serving (1 scone)
For a special breakfast treat on the weekends, make these scones ahead of time and freeze in a big bag for later. They warm up nicely 20-25 seconds in the microwave, and are totally company worthy!
Want even more comforting breakfast goodies?
These are a few of my go-to recipes:
- Easy Carrot Bread
- Blueberries and Cream Mall Muffins
- Homemade English Muffins (Just like Thomas’s)
I also offer a FREE meal planning worksheet, which is guaranteed to reduce stress around dinner time. Although personally, I love planning out my breakfast, lunch, and snack ideas too! Get it HERE.
What is your opinion of scones? Are you a fan?
Disclosure: Some of the links in the post above are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. Read my full disclosure policy here.
This is an awesome recipe!! I make these often. It is a favorite at the local fire department and the Sheriff’s office. They are requested often. Thank you for taking the time to come up with the recipe!! Love love love it!!
★★★★★
I haven’t made the icing yet, but the scones are tasty. I forgot to use unsalted butter…and brushed the top with salted butter..DO NOT do that lol! But with the addition of the icing, it should mask the saltiness of the tops.
★★★★★
I’m glad you liked them! Yes, the icing is super sweet so it should help cut down on that salty flavor.
Was anyone able to get dough to come together using just 3/4 cup buttermilk?? I had to add about 1/2 cup more. Used OJ in icing instead of milk. Very tender and delicious!
It’s a pretty crumbly dough – but there’s nothing wrong with adding more buttermilk if it’s not holding together! 🙂
I have made this recipe many times. Its sooo good. I have figured out that if I use a Danish dough hook (from Amazon) and then turn the dough out and knead it for a tiny bit, the form two “logs” and wrap them in plastic wrap, put in the fridge overnight, the dough will be perfect to roll out in the morning.
Just tried this recipe..and its a definite keepsake thank you
★★★★★
Thanks for coming back and letting me know that you enjoyed them!!
Easy and delicious. I made theses with a gluten free flour and they turned out great. I also used a little fresh squeezed orange juice in place of the milk for the icing.
★★★★★
Glad you enjoyed them!!
How do you think this would turn out with whole wheat flour? Thank you
You could give it a try. I’m not sure how it would taste.
Could I make these with fresh rather than dried cranberries?
I don’t know. You could try it and find out! 🙂
How can I make these without a food processor?
Absolutely! I would just use 2 knives or a pastry blender to cut in the butter. This video shows how to do that. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3SJVjCkpR0
Learning how to cook your favorite meals at home has got to be a top creative savings strategy. Delicious food is just one eager cook away from reality.
Oh yum!! These look absolutely to-die for! I will have to print this one out for my pretty awesome recipe binder 😉
I’ll have a typed up copy available for download soon! 🙂
I like blueberry and chocolate chip scones, I’m not as a big a fan of the cranberry ones. But they look just like the starbucks ones!
And they taste better! 🙂