Orange Cranberry Scones (Starbucks Recipe) (2024)

Each mouthful of these buttery homemade Orange Cranberry Scones is packed with flavour thanks to the fresh cranberries, orange zest and cranberry jam. These are a copycat of the scones you find at Starbucks coffee and are perfect for the holiday season.

It is the time of year where I love baking! Nothings beats the smell of a great sweet treat in a warm kitchen when its cold outside.

These work great as an afternoon snack with a cup of coffee or as a sweet breakfast treat.

I’ve recently grown to love American style scones such as these Air Fryer Pumpkin Scones but I still have a soft spot for English Lavender Scones slathered with clotted cream and jam.

What makes the Starbucks scones unique is the ribbon of cranberry spread sandwiched in the scones. These tender scones

Ingredients:

Full ingredients with measurements are available in the recipe card below at the end of this post

Flour – I have used all purpose flour or plain flour for this recipe.

Heavy cream or double cream – you can also use whole milk but the end result will not be as luxurious.

Butter – butter adds the crumbly, flakiness to the scones. I have used unsalted butter. Ensure to use cold butter. As the butter melts in the oven, steam is released. This steam leads to air pockets allowing for an airy centre.

Sugar – I have used white granulated sugar.

Baking powder and Baking Soda

Cranberries – I have used a mix of dried cranberries and fresh cranberries. The fresh cranberries are also used to make the spread. If you cannot find fresh, you can use frozen cranberries which are more easily available. Alternatively use this Christmas jam to spread.

Orange zest and orange peel – both together provide a mellow orange flavor.

Salt

Orange glaze:

Icing sugar (powdered sugar)

Orange juice – use smooth orange juice rather than one with fruity bits!

Optional:

For a real hit of orange flavour, add a drop of orange oil to the dough.

Top with a sweet orange glaze made with icing sugar and orange juice

Use chocolate chips in place of the cranberries. You can also add white chocolate chips to these orange cranberry scones

Add a drop or two of vanilla extract for a warm sweet aroma.

Vegan Orange Cranberry Scones

Try using full fat coconut milk in replacement of the cream – the fat in the tinned coconut milk leads to better texture

Use vegan butter in replacement of the dairy butter

Cranberry Orange Scone Recipe Method:

You can either use a food processor or a simple large bowl. These scones can be baked in the oven or air fryer

Preheat your oven to gas mark 7 or 200C.

Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

Prepare the cranberry spread by blitzing cranberries and orange juice until you get a thick paste. I used cranberry sauce that I prepared ahead of Christmas dinner.

To make the scones: mix the dry ingredients

In a big mixing bowl whisk together the dry ingredients: the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt

Add in the chilled butter and rub into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Fold in the wet ingredients

Add the milk/cream and gently mix until a soft dough forms. Fold until no flour clumps remain. Be carful not to over-mix this step.

Fold in orange zest and orange peel if using. Tip in the cranberries.

Divide the dough into two equal portions. Pat dough into an approximately 8-inch circle on a lightly floured surface.

Spread the sauce and slice into triangles

Spread the cranberry mixture on the bottom round layer and set the top layer over the top.

Using a sharp knife, cut the dough into separate wedges or use a pastry cutter for shape of your choice

Sprinkle with sanding sugar if you have it for a frosty appearance.

Air fry or Bake the Scones

Preheat the air fryer to 180 C for 5 minutes.

Place scones into the air fryer basket

Air fry for 5 minutes on 180C

Reduce the heat to 160C and air fryer for another 2-3 minutes or until the top of the scones are lightly golden.

Bake in the oven for 18-20 minutes or until light golden and risen nicely.

Meanwhile, whisk together icing sugar and oranje juice for the glaze

Once the scones have baked and cooled, drizle over the glaze and serve!

Pro Tips

If you have the time, use frozen butter instead of chilled butter. Frozen butter that has been grated is best because it keeps the dough as chilled as possible even after handling the dough.

Chill your dough in the fridge for 15-20 minutes prior to baking to prevent the scones from over spreading as they bake

Storage

These cranberry orange scones will keep well for 3-4 days at room temperature if stored in an airtight container

You can easily make them ahead of time for this reason. You could also prepare the dough in advance, chill and bake when you are ready

Freezing:

Freeze the prepared scones in a freezer safe bag or container. Take a single scone, warm in the microwave and enjoy whenever you feel like!

Serving

These scones are perfect with a cup of tea, coffee!

They can be enjoyed for breakfast, in an afternoon tea or as a sweet snack

As these are American scones and not English style scones, they do not need any extra clotted cream, butter or jam.

More Eggless Baking Recipes

Vegan Burnt Basque Cheesecake

Gulab jamun Mix Cake

Instant pot Coconut Semolina Cake (Revani)

Condensed milk Cupcakes

Chocolate Orange Cake

Linzer Cookies

Chocolate, Peanut and Oat Cookies – perfect for Christmas and the Holidays!

As always if you make this recipe, be sure to leave me a comment, rate this recipe and tag me onInstagram @jcookingodyssey or #jcookingodyssey. I love seeing all your photos of my recipe recreations!

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