Cranberry Orange Sour Cream Scones

These made from scratch Cranberry Orange Sour Cream Scones recipe will make the perfect addition to your breakfast, brunch or tea time menu. Freshly grated orange zest adds a bright citrus flavor to the buttery dough, and the sweet cranberries add texture. Serve them with or without the glaze, for a sweet treat alongside a cup of coffee or hot tea.

How are Scones Different from Southern Buttermilk Biscuits?

• Our fluffy Southern buttermilk biscuits are typically served savory with butter, stuffed with ham or turkey, eggs bacon and sausage or smothered with sausage gravy.
• Scones on the other hand, are usually sweeter with mix-ins such as fruit and fresh berries and sometimes glazed as well. Again, there are always exceptions.
• These homemade cranberry orange scones are slightly sweet and drizzled with a sweet creamy glaze. If you love the cranberry scones at Starbucks you’ll love making these at home!

Easy Cranberry Orange Sour Cream Scones Recipe

Scones to me, are a cross between a Southern biscuit and a sweet bread. The first time I had a scone at tea time as a girl, I was hooked. They’re like a delicious sweet biscuit, topped with marmalade and freshly whipped cream.

I remember thinking scones were one of the most delicious treats I had ever had, and they paired perfectly with a cup of hot tea. The rest is history. Often scones are baked in the shape of a circle, scored before baking and then cut into wedges like a piece of pie. Just like our Southern biscuits, they can also be cut into rounds or made like a drop biscuit, if preferred. Whether you’re planning a special holiday event tea time or casual gathering with friends, include these homemade scones on the menu.

Key ingredients to make Cranberry Orange Scones: (Scroll down for full printable recipe card.)

• Flour – All purpose flour forms the base of the scones dough,
• Sugar – Granulated sugar for sweetness.
• Leavening – Baking powder, baking soda and salt give rise to the dough while baking.
• Butter – Cold salted butter or unsalted butter for richness.
• Sour Cream and Heavy Cream – Sour cream and heavy cream for moisture and a tender texture.
• Whole Eggs – Large eggs bind the dough.
• Flavorings – Fresh orange zest and vanilla extract amp up the flavor.
• Cranberries – Dried cranberries or Craisins give these scones their signature flavor.
• Toppings – Sliced almonds and turbinado sugar (coarse sugar in the raw) add texture.
• Glaze – Powdered sugar, orange zest and orange juice.

How to Make Cranberry Orange Sour Cream Scones Recipe

• Heat Oven Prepare Pan – Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a large baking sheet or two standard size, with parchment paper. Set aside
• Sift Dry Ingredients – Whisk together the flour, sugar baking powder, baking soda and salt.
• Add Butter – Cut the butter into the dry ingredients until it resembles cornmeal.
• Cranberries – Mix in the cranberries until evenly distributed. Make a well in the center.
• Wet Ingredients – Whisk together sour cream, heavy cream, 1 egg, zest and vanilla.
• Combine – Pour into the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. Gradually mix together until fully moistened.
• Pat Dough into a Circle – Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface, shape into an 8-inch circle about 1-inch thick.
• Cut into Wedges – Use a sharp knife dipped in flour to cut into wedges.
• Egg Wash – Brush the tops with the egg wash and sprinkle with almonds and turbinado sugar.
• Oven – Bake per the baking time in the recipe until golden brown. Serve warm with fresh whipped cream and orange marmalade.
• Glaze – Mix together the powdered sugar, orange zest and fresh orange juice. Drizzle over the warm cranberry scones just before serving, if desired.

Kitchen Equipment to Make Cranberry Orange Scones

• Large bowl, medium bowl and small bowl.
• Balloon whisk.
• Pastry blender.
• Measuring cups and measuring spoons.
• Sheet pan lined with parchment paper.
• Sharp knife and pastry brush.
• Citrus zester.

Recipe Variations, Tips and Substitutions

• Sour Cream – You could substitute plain Greek yogurt for sour cream.
• Cranberries – You can use dried cherries, dried blueberries (and lemon zest!) or craisins.
• Leave Room for Spreading – These scones will naturally spread while baking. Place the wedges at least 2-3 inches apart on the baking pan to prevent them from sticking together.
• Don’t Overwork the Dough – Scones, by their very nature, have a slightly crumbly texture. That said, when working with fresh dough, It’s important not to overwork the dough. Doing so and the scones or Southern biscuits for that matter, will be dry and tough. Mix the ingredients together until just fully combined for the best result.
• Serving Options – Scones can be served with or without toppings such as lemon curd, whipped cream or jam are just a few delicious options.
• Appetizer Scones – For a savory mini scones appetizer: Cut the homemade scones dough using a 1-inch round cutter. Bake them per the recipe, decreasing the time to adjust for the smaller size. Serve them as an appetizer stuffed with ham. To add a condiment, mix one tablespoon of Dijon mustard per 1/2 cup of orange marmalade, to spread onto the ham.

Storage and Leftovers

• Make-Ahead Tip – If you’d like to freeze the scones before baking, place them separately onto a sheet pan and allow them time to freeze solid. Once frozen, place wedges into a freezer bag and keep for up to 1 month. Brush the scones with the egg wash just before baking.
• Can I Bake Frozen Scones? Yes, you can. Bake from frozen brushed with egg wash just before baking. They will take longer to bake so allow an extra 5-10 minutes and adjust the time accordingly.
• Leftovers – Store Cranberry Orange Scones in an airtight container at room temperature or chilled in the fridge for up to 2-3 days.

More Scones Recipes to Make

• These Brown Sugar Pecan Scones are a bonafide treat.
• Savory Bacon and Cheddar Scones are delicious slathered with pineapple butter or stuffed with eggs.
• Caramel Apple Scones are filled with fall flavors that you can enjoy year-round.
• Blueberry Sour Cream Scones are simply delightful.
• Chocolate Chip Scones are studded with a generous amount of chocolate chips.
• Homemade Peach Scones are a must-make during peach season.
• For those moments that you only need a small batch of scones, this recipe for Small Batch Lemon Scones from Dessert for Two, just may fit the bill.

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

• Sheet Pan
• Silicone Spatulas
• Measuring Set
• Mixing Bowls