Barefoot Contessa’s Zesty Cranberry Orange Scones Recipe

Fresh from the oven, these buttery cranberry orange scones bring warmth and zest to any morning breakfast table.

The classic Barefoot Contessa cranberry orange scones recipe delivers a perfect balance of tart and sweet flavors.

Flaky pastry meets bright citrus notes, creating a delightful morning treat that feels both elegant and comforting.

Each bite promises a burst of tangy cranberries complemented by fragrant orange zest.

Soft and tender on the inside with a delicate crisp exterior, these scones are surprisingly simple to make.

The combination of simple ingredients creates a bakery-worthy pastry you can easily craft at home.

Savor the delicious results and impress everyone with your baking skills.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 469 kcal

Servings: 8

Ingredients in Cranberry Orange Scones

• Flour: The backbone of scones, providing structure and soft texture. Choose unbleached all-purpose flour for consistent results.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with golden-brown caramelization. Light granulated sugar works best.
• Baking Powder: Creates lift and airiness in the scones. Check freshness for maximum rising potential.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness. Use fine sea salt for even distribution.

• Eggs: Bind ingredients and contribute to rich, tender texture. Select fresh, room-temperature eggs.
• Double Cream: Delivers luxurious richness and tender crumb. Choose high-fat content cream for best results.
• Butter: Provides flakiness and deep flavor. Use cold, high-quality unsalted butter for optimal texture.

• Orange Zest: Introduces bright, citrusy notes. Use fresh oranges and zest carefully to avoid bitter white pith.
• Dried Cranberries: Adds tangy sweetness and festive color. Select plump, moist cranberries for best flavor.
• Orange Juice: Creates silky glaze with vibrant citrus punch. Fresh-squeezed juice delivers superior taste.
• Icing Sugar: Transforms into smooth, glossy glaze. Sift to prevent lumps for perfect drizzling.

Tools for Cranberry Orange Scone Baking

• Stand mixer: Essential for efficiently mixing dry and wet ingredients with paddle attachment.
• Mixing bowls: Need two – one for dry ingredients, another for wet ingredients.
• Round cutter (3-inch): Perfect for cutting uniform scone shapes.
• Baking tray: Used to bake scones, lined with parchment paper.
• Whisk: Helps blend eggs and cream smoothly.
• Pastry brush: Used for applying egg wash on scone tops.
• Rolling pin: Helps roll dough to consistent thickness.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Accurate for measuring ingredients precisely.
• Cooling rack: Allows scones to cool evenly and prevent soggy bottoms.

How to Bake Cranberry Orange Scones

• Oven Preparation

Warm up the kitchen with a toasty 400°F setting and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

• Dry Ingredient Blending

Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and zesty orange peel in a mixer, creating a fragrant base.

• Butter Integration

Gently mix butter into the dry mixture until it looks like tiny pebbles scattered across the surface.

• Liquid Infusion

Whisk together creamy eggs and rich cream, then slowly incorporate into the flour mixture until just combined.

• Cranberry Magic

Softly fold in ruby-red cranberries that have been lightly dusted with flour.

• Dough Shaping

Transfer the soft dough onto a floured surface, gently kneading and rolling to create a delicate landscape about an inch thick.

• Scone Cutting

Use a round cutter to transform the dough into perfect circles, placing each one carefully on the baking sheet. Gather remaining dough and repeat.

• Final Touch

Brush the tops with a golden egg wash and sprinkle with a delicate sugar shower.

• Baking Transformation

Bake until the scones turn a beautiful golden brown, about 20-25 minutes.

• Glaze Finish

Once cooled, drizzle with a sparkling orange juice and powdered sugar glaze that adds a bright, sweet finale.

Tips for Cranberry Orange Scones

• Swap half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a nuttier, more complex flavor profile that adds wholesome texture.
• Replace dried cranberries with fresh blueberries, chopped dried cherries, or golden raisins to create your signature scone variation.
• Prepare scone dough up to 24 hours in advance, wrap tightly in plastic, and refrigerate. Cut and bake directly from the cold dough for maximum freshness and convenience.
• Cut unbaked scones into portions, freeze on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake frozen scones by adding 3-5 extra minutes to the cooking time for instant homemade treats.

Best Ways to Serve Cranberry Orange Scones

• Savor with Clotted Cream: Spread a generous dollop of rich, velvety clotted cream on each warm scone for a classic British-inspired treat.
• Pair with Citrus Tea: Brew a fragrant orange or earl grey tea that complements the bright citrus notes of the scones, creating a delightful morning or afternoon indulgence.
• Serve as Breakfast Centerpiece: Arrange the scones on a rustic wooden board with fresh berries and a small pot of honey, making a stunning breakfast spread that will impress family and guests.
• Create Brunch Elegance: Accompany the scones with a light mixed green salad and softly scrambled eggs for a sophisticated weekend brunch experience that feels both luxurious and comforting.

Cranberry Orange Scone Storage Tips

• Maximize Freshness: Store scones in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days to maintain their delightful texture and flavor.
• Freeze for Later: Wrap individual scones tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Frozen scones stay delicious for up to 3 months – perfect for quick breakfast treats.
• Quick Reheating Trick: Warm refrigerated or thawed scones in the oven at 150°C (300°F) for 5-7 minutes to restore their crispy exterior and soft interior.
• Smart Prep Strategy: Prepare scone dough in advance, cut into shapes, and freeze unbaked. Bake directly from frozen, adding 5-7 minutes to the original baking time for a fresh-baked breakfast anytime.

Heavenly Barefoot Contessa Cranberry Orange Scones Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Classic Barefoot Contessa cranberry orange scones combine zesty citrus with tart berries for a delightful breakfast treat. Ina Garten’s recipe offers a perfect balance of flavors you’ll savor with morning coffee or afternoon tea.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 340 grams (12 oz) cold unsalted butter, diced
• 4 extra-large eggs, lightly beaten
• 4.25 cups (530 g) all-purpose flour
• 240 ml (1 cup) cold heavy cream
• 120 g dried cranberries
• 2 tbsps baking powder
• 50 g sugar
• 2 tsps kosher salt
• 2 tsps grated orange zest (from 2 oranges)
• 4 tsps freshly squeezed orange juice
• 1 egg beaten with 2 tbsps water (for egg wash)
• 0.5 cup plus 2 tbsps (75 g) confectioners’ sugar
• Extra sugar for sprinkling

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Set the oven to 200°C (400°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for optimal baking conditions.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and orange zest in a stand mixer with paddle attachment, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
3. Incorporate Butter: Add cold unsalted butter to the dry mixture, mixing on low speed until the texture resembles coarse crumbs.
4. Blend Wet Ingredients: Whisk eggs and heavy cream in a separate bowl, creating a smooth liquid mixture.
5. Form Dough: Pour cream mixture into dry ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Lightly flour dried cranberries and fold into the dough with minimal stirring.
6. Shape Scones: Transfer dough to a floured surface, gently knead into a ball, and roll to 2.5 centimeters thickness. Cut out rounds using a 7.5 centimeters pastry cutter, re-rolling scraps to maximize yield.
7. Prepare for Baking: Arrange scones on the prepared baking sheet, brush tops with egg wash, and sprinkle with granulated sugar for a golden finish.
8. Bake and Glaze: Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and firm. Cool for 15 minutes, then drizzle with a glaze made from icing sugar and fresh orange juice.

Notes

• Prevent Cranberry Sinking: Lightly dust cranberries with flour to stop them from dropping to the bottom during baking, ensuring even distribution throughout the scone.
• Master Butter Incorporation: Cut cold butter into small pieces and mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, which creates the signature flaky scone texture.
• Avoid Overworking Dough: Mix ingredients just until combined to keep scones tender and light, preventing tough, dense results from excessive handling.
• Maximize Golden Crust: Brush egg wash and sprinkle sugar on top to create a beautiful, crisp exterior with a professional bakery-style finish.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 469
• Sugar: 16 g
• Sodium: 323 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 17 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 48 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 109 mg