Cranberry Orange Scones Glaze (Printable Version)

Buttery scones packed with cranberries and orange zest, finished with a bright citrus glaze.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/3 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1 tablespoon baking powder
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Flavorings

05 - 1 tablespoon finely grated orange zest

→ Fats

06 - 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes

→ Wet Ingredients

07 - 2/3 cup cold heavy cream, plus more for brushing
08 - 1 large egg
09 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

→ Add-Ins

10 - 1 cup fresh or dried cranberries

→ Orange Glaze

11 - 1 cup powdered sugar
12 - 2-3 tablespoons fresh orange juice
13 - 1/2 teaspoon finely grated orange zest

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and orange zest until thoroughly blended.
03 - Add cold butter cubes to the flour mixture. Use a pastry blender or fingertips to work butter into flour until mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces remaining.
04 - In a separate bowl, whisk together heavy cream, egg, and vanilla extract until fully combined.
05 - Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir gently with a spatula or wooden spoon until just barely combined. Do not overmix.
06 - Gently fold cranberries into the dough, taking care not to overwork the mixture.
07 - Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface. Pat gently into a 1-inch thick disc approximately 7 inches in diameter.
08 - Cut disc into 8 equal wedges. Transfer wedges to prepared baking sheet, leaving at least 2 inches between each scone.
09 - Brush the tops of each scone lightly with additional heavy cream using a pastry brush.
10 - Bake for 16-18 minutes until tops are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
11 - In a small bowl, whisk powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons orange juice, and orange zest until smooth and pourable. Add additional juice if needed to reach desired consistency.
12 - Drizzle glaze generously over completely cooled scones. Allow glaze to set for 10-15 minutes before serving.

# Expert Insights:

01 -
  • The tart cranberries and sweet orange glaze create this perfect balance that keeps you coming back for just one more bite
  • They come together in under 40 minutes but taste like something from a proper bakery
  • The dough is incredibly forgiving, perfect for those mornings when you haven't had your coffee yet
02 -
  • Keep everything cold—the butter, the cream, even your bowl if possible. Warm ingredients melt the butter before baking, and you lose those flaky layers
  • Don't knead the dough or work it too much. A few turns to bring it together is all you need—treat it gently and it will treat you well
  • The glaze should be thick enough to hold its shape but thin enough to drizzle. Think warm honey consistency
03 -
  • If your kitchen runs warm, stick your butter in the freezer for 10 minutes before starting
  • Use a sharp knife to cut the scones—a dull blade can compress the dough

Go Back