Christmas Morning Cranberry Orange Scones
Every December, I find myself reaching for recipes that feel cozy, simple, and a little bit special—and these Christmas Morning Cranberry Orange Scones check all the boxes. Soft, buttery, and filled with tart cranberries and fresh orange flavor, these scones have become one of those easy holiday traditions I make again and again, especially for Christmas morning.
These Christmas Morning Cranberry Orange Scones are tender on the inside, lightly crisp on the outside, and bursting with bright citrus flavor in every bite.
Whether you’re baking for family, or simply craving a bakery-style scone at home, this recipe delivers big flavor with simple ingredients.
Tips for Perfect Scones
- Keep the butter cold for the flakiest texture.
- Do not overmix the dough—this keeps the scones tender.
- Fresh cranberries can be used; just chop them and add an extra tablespoon of sugar.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED TO MAKE THESE DELICOUS SCONES…
- all-purpose flour
- granulated sugar
- baking powder
- salt
- Zest of 1 large orange
- unsalted butter, cubed
- dried cranberries
- heavy cream
- egg
- vanilla extract
Serving & Storage
Serve these scones warm with butter, or a little orange marmalade. You could even make a little orange glaze to drizzle on these scones right out of the oven. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days, or freeze unglazed scones for up to 2 months.
These Cranberry Orange Scones are bright, buttery, and just sweet enough—everything a good scone should be. I hope you enjoy them as much as we do.
Scroll down for the complete recipe…..
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- zest of 1 large orange
- 1/2 cup cubed, cold, unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries (I use fresh when they are in season.)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
ADD A LITTLE ORANGE GLAZE
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tbsps fresh orange juice
- 1/2 tsp orange zest (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and orange zest.
- Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Stir in the dried cranberries. (If using fresh you will need to cut the in half.)
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the cream, egg, and vanilla. Add to the dry ingredients and gently mix just until combined.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and shape into an 8-inch circle. Cut into 8 wedges.
- Place scones on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 15–18 minutes, or until lightly golden. (I put my oven on 375° and cook for about 10 minutes.)
- Let cool slightly before glazing.
Make the Orange Glaze
- Whisk powdered sugar and orange juice until smooth. Drizzle over warm or cooled scones and sprinkle with extra orange zest if desired.
- You will love these scones!!