Orange Cranberry Scones Glaze (Printable)

Buttery scones with tart cranberries and bright orange notes, topped with a sweet citrus glaze.

# What You Need:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/3 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1 tablespoon baking powder
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - 1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest

→ Wet Ingredients

06 - 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
07 - 2/3 cup heavy cream, plus extra for brushing
08 - 1 large egg
09 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

→ Add-ins

10 - 1 cup dried cranberries, coarsely chopped

→ Glaze

11 - 1 cup powdered sugar
12 - 2 to 3 tablespoons fresh orange juice
13 - 1/2 teaspoon finely grated orange zest

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and orange zest.
03 - Add cubed cold butter and work it into the flour mixture using a pastry cutter or fingertips until coarse crumbs form.
04 - In a separate bowl, whisk heavy cream, egg, and vanilla extract until combined.
05 - Pour wet ingredients over dry mixture. Add cranberries and gently stir with a fork until the dough just comes together without overmixing.
06 - Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface and pat into a 7 to 8 inch circle about 1 inch thick. Cut into 8 wedges.
07 - Place wedges on prepared baking sheet spacing them evenly. Lightly brush tops with extra heavy cream.
08 - Bake for 16 to 18 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Cool scones slightly on a wire rack.
09 - Whisk powdered sugar, orange juice, and zest until smooth. Drizzle glaze over cooled scones.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • This recipe feels like a little secret gift for your mornings because the scones are tender yet filled with bursts of tart cranberries and vibrant orange flavor.
  • Once I nailed the perfect balance of sweet glaze and citrus zest, it became a fast favorite in my kitchen.
02 -
  • Work quickly when mixing in the butter to keep it cold; this is the key to flaky scones.
  • Letting the dough rest for a few minutes before baking can help the flavors meld and improve texture.
03 -
  • Use a sharp knife to cut the dough for clean edges that rise evenly.
  • The glaze isn't just decorative—it adds moisture and enhances the citrus notes beautifully.

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