If you’re on the hunt for the ultimate morning pick-me-up or a sweet companion for your afternoon tea, look no further: these Fresh Orange Scones deliver a fluffy texture with a bright, citrusy zing. Each bite bursts with tangy orange flavor and a buttery softness, all topped off with a vibrant, glossy orange glaze. Whether you bake them for a cozy weekend breakfast or indulge as a snack, Fresh Orange Scones bring just the right balance of comfort and excitement to your table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Fresh Orange Scones lies in their simplicity. Each ingredient plays a role in achieving pillowy softness, golden color, and that lovely citrus fragrance that will fill your kitchen with anticipation.
- All-purpose flour: The sturdy foundation that gives each scone its signature crumb and texture.
- Granulated sugar: Adds just enough sweetness to highlight the orange without overwhelming.
- Baking powder: The secret behind the irresistible rise and lightness in every bite.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors for a well-rounded scone.
- Orange zest: Packs a punch of pure, fragrant orange oil for real citrus flavor.
- Cold unsalted butter, cubed: Creates tender, flaky layers when cut into the flour — keep it cold!
- Heavy cream: Makes the dough rich and moist, ensuring a soft, melt-in-the-mouth crumb.
- Large egg: Helps bind the dough and adds extra richness.
- Vanilla extract: A splash of warmth that pairs beautifully with the fresh orange notes.
- Fresh orange juice: Both in the dough and glaze, it offers sunny flavor and a natural brightness.
- Powdered sugar (for glaze): Blends smoothly with orange juice to create a dreamy, citrusy drizzle.
How to Make Fresh Orange Scones
Step 1: Prep the Oven and Baking Sheet
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper so the scones bake up golden and are easy to lift off. This little prep work guarantees your Fresh Orange Scones won’t stick and cleanup will be a breeze!
Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and that beautiful orange zest. Mixing the zest at this early stage ensures every scone is evenly perfumed with citrus aroma.
Step 3: Cut in the Butter
Add the cold, cubed butter right into your flour mixture. Using a pastry cutter or a fork, work the butter in until it forms coarse, pea-like crumbs. The chunks of cold butter will melt in the oven, creating flaky, tender scones with a hint of rich flavor in every bite.
Step 4: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a smaller bowl, quickly whisk together the heavy cream, egg, vanilla extract, and fresh orange juice. This mixture will both bind and enrich the scone dough, adding moisture and depth.
Step 5: Bring it All Together
Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Gently fold and stir until just combined—overmixing can make the scones tough, so leave a few streaks of flour if you need to. The dough should look shaggy and slightly sticky, which is exactly what you want.
Step 6: Shape and Cut the Dough
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. With floured hands, gently knead it just a few times to help it come together, then pat it into a circle about 1-inch thick. Using a sharp knife or a bench scraper, cut the circle into 8 even wedges—classic for scones!
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Arrange the wedges evenly on your prepared baking sheet. Pop them in the oven and bake for 15 to 18 minutes, until the edges are golden brown and your kitchen smells like a citrus-scented bakery. Let the scones cool just enough that you can handle them, but not so much that the anticipation wanes!
Step 8: Glaze the Fresh Orange Scones
While your scones cool slightly, delve into the simple glaze. Whisk together powdered sugar and a few tablespoons of fresh orange juice until you have a smooth pourable icing. Drizzle it generously over each scone for that gorgeously glossy finish. The sweet-tart glaze accentuates everything you love about Fresh Orange Scones.
How to Serve Fresh Orange Scones
Garnishes
The bright orange glaze is a showstopper already, but for an extra flourish, sprinkle a little extra orange zest over the scones just after glazing, or even add a few edible flowers for an elegant touch. A dusting of powdered sugar also adds a bakery-worthy finish.
Side Dishes
Pair your Fresh Orange Scones with fresh fruit, a dollop of whipped cream, or a spoonful of lightly sweetened Greek yogurt for a complete breakfast spread. If you’re serving brunch, a tart berry compote or some sliced strawberries will balance out the scones’ sweetness perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange the scones in a circle on a pretty cake stand to show off their wedge shape, or stack them like a tower for a playful look. For special occasions, wrap individual scones in parchment and twine for a charming homemade gift—they’re as beautiful as they are delicious!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Fresh Orange Scones in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. They’ll stay soft and moist, ready for a quick snack or breakfast. For best results, glaze them right before serving if storing ahead.
Freezing
To have Fresh Orange Scones at the ready any day of the week, freeze the unbaked wedges on a parchment-lined tray, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag once firm. Bake straight from frozen, just add a couple extra minutes in the oven for perfectly fresh scones every time. You can also freeze baked (unglazed) scones and glaze after reheating.
Reheating
To enjoy that fresh-from-the-oven experience, warm leftover scones in a 300°F oven for about 8 minutes or microwave for 15–20 seconds. Glaze after reheating for the prettiest presentation. Reheated Fresh Orange Scones regain their light texture and fantastic fragrance.
FAQs
Can I use milk instead of heavy cream for Fresh Orange Scones?
You can substitute milk, but heavy cream really gives the scones their amazing tender crumb and rich flavor. If you’re in a pinch, use whole milk and a little extra butter to mimic the creaminess.
Why is it important to keep the butter cold?
Cold butter creates steam during baking which helps lift the dough and form flaky, airy layers inside your scones. Room temperature or melted butter will result in denser, less delicate scones.
Can I add mix-ins to the scone dough?
Absolutely! Try a handful of dried cranberries, white chocolate chips, or even chopped nuts for extra texture and flavor. Just fold them in before shaping the dough.
How do I know when the scones are done baking?
They’ll be golden brown around the edges, lifted and slightly springy in the center. A toothpick inserted in the middle should come out with just a few moist crumbs, not wet batter.
What’s the best way to zest an orange?
Use a microplane or fine grater, making sure to only grate the colorful outer layer. Avoid the white pith beneath, as it can taste bitter and doesn’t add the lovely aroma you want in Fresh Orange Scones.
Final Thoughts
There’s just something magical about baking up a batch of Fresh Orange Scones and sharing them with people you love. Every citrus-kissed bite is a celebration of simple, homemade comfort. I hope you’ll give this recipe a try and let it brighten your morning or bring a little extra joy to your table!
Print
Fresh Orange Scones Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 33 minutes
- Yield: 8 scones
- Category: Breakfast, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Fresh Orange Scones are bursting with citrus flavor and make a perfect treat for breakfast or snack time. The tender, crumbly scones are topped with a sweet orange glaze, adding an extra layer of zesty sweetness.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
Wet Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 2/3 cup heavy cream
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
For Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons fresh orange juice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare the dough: In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. In a separate bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients. Combine wet and dry ingredients until just mixed.
- Shape and bake: Turn the dough onto a floured surface, shape into a circle, cut into wedges, and place on the baking sheet. Bake for 15–18 minutes until golden.
- Glaze: Whisk powdered sugar with orange juice until smooth. Drizzle over cooled scones.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add dried cranberries or white chocolate chips to the dough.
- To make ahead, freeze unbaked wedges and bake directly from frozen, adding 2–3 minutes to the baking time.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 scone
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
