Here is the Recipe for Easy Cranberry Orange Sour Cream Scones You Can Make at Home

These cranberry orange sour cream scones are soft inside and lightly crisp on the outside just like the scones from a bakery. They are made using simple ingredients and easy enough to bake them at home if you are not that experienced. The sour cream helps keep them moist and tender, the orange adds a nice flavor and the cranberries a nice balance of sweet and tart. These scones make the perfect slow morning breakfast, for a holiday breakfast, or for an afternoon snack with tea or coffee. They are special to them but not difficult to make, so it is a great recipe to have on hand.

Ingredients You Will Need

Dry ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt

Wet ingredients

• 1/2 cup cold un-salted butter, cut into small pieces
• ½ cup sour cream
• 1 large egg
• 1 – 2 Tablespoon Orange zest (from 1 large orange)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2-3 tbsp orange juice (only as needed)

Add-ins

• Frozen or fresh 1 cup cranberries
• ¾ cup dried cranberries
• 1–2 tablespoons coarse sugar

Optional topping

• Optional orange glaze
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 1–2 teaspoons orange juice

Step-by-Step Instructions

Heat the oven
Set your oven to 400°F (200°C). Prepare a parchment on one with a baking sheet.

Mix the dry ingredients
In a large bowl, add the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt and mix well.

Add the butter
Drop the cold butter cubes in the flour mixture. Break the butter using your fingers, a pastry cutter or two knives, into small pieces. The mixture should have a crumbly appearance with small pieces of butter still visible in the mix. Cold butter helps to produce flaky scones.

Mix the wet ingredients
For a second, in a bowl, in another bowl, the last bowl, whisk together the sour cream, egg, trapping the orange zest, the angelfish, and the angelfish vane.

Combine wet and dry
Pour the mixture with water into the dry ingredients. Just mixing together, stirring just until the dough starts working together If the dough appears to be too dry, add orange juice one tablespoon at a time until it binds together when forged.

Add cranberries
Delicately stir cranberries in. If using frozen ones, add them directly from freezer unit and work fast.

Shape the dough
Place the dough on a piece of lightly floured surface. Knead it into a round form which is approximately 1 inch thick. Do not work with the dough excessively.

Cut the scones
Cut up the round to form 8 equal shaped wedges. Put them on the prepared baking sheet with room in between them.

Bake
Sprinkle sugar roughy also on top in case you have it. Bake 15 – 18 minutes, until scones are lightly golden in color.

Cool and glaze (optional)
Allow the scones to cool down for few minutes. Mix sugar, powdered sugar with orange juice to dip the scones into as a glaze and dangle if desired.

Flavor Variations

White chocolate version: Combine with cranberries 1 / 2 cup of white chocolate.

Almond style: An orange glaze is replaced with almond glaze and sliced almonds are used.

Lemon cranberry: Swap orange zest and juice for lemon zest and juice.

Helpful Cooking Notes

If your kitchen is warm, put blown shaped scones in the fridge for 10-15 minutes before baking.

Test before time because the baking time may differ among ovens.

Placing the dough over itself once or twice can help to make taller scones.

Serving Ideas

Serve with hot buttered, clotted cream or orange marmalade.

Enjoy with a coffee, black tea.

Adding them to a brunch table of eggs, fruit and yogurt.

Tips for Success

Cut the zest from the orange before juicing it.

Measure flour carefully so that you do not get dry scones.

Drink the dried cranberries soaked in orange juice to make them soft.

Time & Nutrition

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Bake Time: 15–18 minutes

Total Time: 30–35 minutes

Per Serving:
Calories: 260 Protein: 5 g Sodium: 260 mg

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I prepare the dough ahead?
Yes. Refrigerate shaped dough for overnight and bake the following day.

Can these be frozen?
Yes. Unbaked wedges can be frozen and baked.

Is it possible to substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt?
Yes. Full fat greek yogurt works well.

How do I know they are done?
They should be light golden and set in the center.

Final Thoughts

These cranberry orange sour cream scones are soft and buttery and loaded with freshness! They are so easy to make, but they taste good enough for holidays or guests. Have them hot with any drink of your preference, and you have a good old-fashioned homemade meal.