When the holidays roll around, I crave baked goods that feel bright, cozy, and just a little bit indulgent.

These Cranberry-Orange Scones are one of my favorite winter treats — buttery, tender, lightly sweet, and bursting with tart cranberries and fresh orange zest.

They’re simple to make, smell incredible while baking, and bring a festive touch to any breakfast or brunch table.

Jump to Recipe

Recipe Highlights

These scones strike the perfect balance between crumbly and soft, with bursts of juicy cranberries throughout.

The orange zest brightens every bite and adds that unmistakable holiday aroma, while the buttery dough gives them the classic scone texture everyone loves.

They’re easy to mix by hand and come together quickly — no special equipment required.

They make the ideal Christmas morning pastry, a lovely addition to brunch, or a beautiful homemade gift.

Enjoy them warm with butter, honey, or orange glaze for the perfect holiday treat.

  • Buttery, tender scones with festive cranberry-orange flavor
    .
  • Easy to make with simple pantry ingredients
    .
  • Perfect for Christmas breakfast, brunch, or gifting
    .
  • Bright citrus aroma and juicy pops of cranberry
    .
  • Freezer-friendly and great for make-ahead mornings

Ingredient Notes

  • All-purpose flour: Provides structure and creates the classic crumbly scone texture.
    .
  • Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough without overpowering the citrus flavor.
    .
  • Baking powder: Helps the scones rise and stay light.
    .
  • Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances sweetness.
    .
  • Cold unsalted butter: Creates flaky, tender layers as it melts during baking.
    .
  • Fresh cranberries (or frozen): Add tart, juicy bursts that complement the orange zest.
    .
  • Orange zest: Provides bright, fragrant citrus flavor throughout the scones.
    .
  • Heavy cream: Adds richness and moisture, helping the dough come together.
    .
  • Egg: Helps bind the dough and adds richness.
    .
  • Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavor and enhances the sweetness.

How to Make My Cranberry-Orange Scones

Step 1 – Preheat your oven
Set the oven to four hundred degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2 – Mix the dry ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

Step 3 – Cut in the butter
Add the cold, cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to blend until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Step 4 – Add the cranberries and orange zest
Fold in the cranberries and zest gently so they’re evenly distributed.

Step 5 – Mix the wet ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk the heavy cream, egg, and vanilla.

Step 6 – Combine the mixtures
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture and stir until a soft dough forms.

Step 7 – Shape the dough
Form the dough into a circle about one inch thick, then slice into eight triangles.

Step 8 – Bake
Transfer to the baking sheet and bake for fifteen to eighteen minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.

Step 9 – Cool and glaze (optional)
Allow to cool slightly before drizzling with a simple orange glaze if desired.

Serving Suggestions

These scones are perfect with coffee, hot tea, or a Christmas brunch spread. Serve with softened butter, orange honey butter, whipped mascarpone, or a drizzle of sweet orange icing.

They pair beautifully with fruit salad, yogurt parfaits, scrambled eggs, or a cozy winter soup.

Tips for the Best Cranberry-Orange Scones

Keep the butter very cold to achieve the flakiest texture — you can even freeze it for ten minutes before using.

Avoid overmixing the dough; scones should be handled gently to stay tender. Fresh cranberries give the brightest flavor, but frozen work well too (no thawing needed).

For a bakery-style finish, brush the tops with cream before baking for a golden crust.

Cranberry-Orange Scones for Christmas Brunch
Pin
Print

Cranberry-Orange Scones for Christmas Brunch

Recipe by JoanneCourse: Breakfast / Brunch / DessertCuisine: American – HolidayDifficulty: Easy
Servings

8

scones
Prep time

15

minutes
Cooking time

18

minutes
Calories per scone

320

kcal

These Cranberry-Orange Scones are buttery, bright, and bursting with festive flavor. They’re the perfect holiday pastry for breakfast, brunch, or gifting.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour

  • ⅓ cup granulated sugar

  • 1 tablespoon baking powder

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • ½ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed

  • 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries

  • 1 tablespoon orange zest

  • ¾ cup heavy cream

  • 1 large egg

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • In a large bowl, whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
  • Add the cold, cubed butter and cut it into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  • Stir in cranberries and orange zest.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk the heavy cream, egg, and vanilla extract.
  • Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and gently combine until a dough forms.
  • Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and shape into a one-inch thick circle.
  • Cut into eight wedges and place onto the prepared baking sheet.
  • Bake for fifteen to eighteen minutes or until golden around the edges.
  • Cool slightly before serving or glazing.

Notes

  • Freeze the butter for extra-flaky layers.
  • Use frozen cranberries straight from the bag—no thawing needed.
  • Add a simple orange glaze for extra sweetness.
  • Dough may be mixed, shaped, and frozen for future baking.

Storage & Reheating

Store leftover scones in an airtight container for up to three days. Reheat in the microwave for about fifteen seconds or warm in a low oven.

You can also freeze baked scones for up to two months and thaw at room temperature before reheating.

Cranberry-Orange Scones for Christmas Brunch