There’s something magical about the smell of warm scones filling your kitchen. And when that aroma includes the bright citrus of fresh oranges? Pure heaven.
This orange scone recipe brings together zesty orange flavor and a perfectly flaky texture that rivals your favorite bakery. It’s a foolproof way to start your weekend on a high note—or impress guests at brunch.
As a home baker with years of hands-on experience, I’ve tested countless scone variations. But this orange scone recipe remains my go-to for both flavor and simplicity.
The dough comes together in minutes with easy-to-find ingredients. In just half an hour, you'll have golden, bakery-style scones cooling on your counter. No special equipment, no fancy skills required.
Whether you're a seasoned baker or just getting started, this orange scone recipe is approachable, reliable, and packed with fresh citrus goodness.
Want to elevate your breakfast game with zero stress? This orange scone recipe is the one you’ll come back to again and again.
Why This Orange Scone Recipe Will Become Your New Favorite
This orange scone recipe blends British charm with fresh, citrusy flavor that’s perfect for spring mornings or holiday brunches.
Made with real orange zest and juice, these scones are moist, tender, and topped with a simple orange glaze that melts in your mouth.
Whether you serve them with coffee, tea, or fruit salad, this orange scone recipe is your go-to for a light yet indulgent treat.
Trust me—once you try this orange scone recipe, it’ll be on repeat all year long.
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Ingredients
For the Scones:
- All-purpose flour
- Granulated sugar
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Cold unsalted butter
- Heavy cream or buttermilk
- Egg
- Fresh orange zest
- Fresh orange juice
- Vanilla extract
For the Orange Glaze:
- Powdered sugar
- Fresh orange juice
- Orange zest
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Mix and Combine
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line baking sheet with parchment paper
- In large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt
- Cut in cold butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs
- In another bowl, whisk together cream, egg, orange zest, orange juice, and vanilla
- Pour wet ingredients into flour mixture and gently stir until dough just comes together
Shape and Cut
- Turn dough onto lightly floured surface
- Gently pat into circle about 8 inches wide and ¾ inch thick
- Using sharp knife, cut circle into 8 wedges
- Place scones on prepared baking sheet, leaving 2 inches between each piece
Bake and Glaze
- Bake for 15-18 minutes until tops are golden brown
- While scones cool, whisk together powdered sugar, orange juice, and orange zest for glaze
- Drizzle glaze over slightly warm scones and serve
- Mix and Combine: Combine dry and wet ingredients until dough just comes together
- Shape and Cut: Pat dough into a circle and cut into 8 even wedges
- Step 2: Bake until golden, then drizzle warm scones with orange glaze
Equipment for Orange Scone Recipe
- Large mixing bowl for easy ingredient combining
- Pastry cutter or two forks for cutting butter
- Bench scraper or sharp knife for clean cuts
- Heavy baking sheet for even browning
- Parchment paper to prevent sticking
Expert Tips for the Best Orange Scones
- Keep all ingredients cold for flakier texture
- Don't overwork the dough to avoid tough scones
- Cut straight down without twisting for better rising
- Brush tops with cream for golden color
- Test doneness by gentle touch - they should spring back
Recipe Variations
- Cranberry Orange Scones: Add dried cranberries for tart contrast
- Orange Vanilla Scones: Increase vanilla extract for richer flavor
- Vegan Version: Use vegan butter, non-dairy milk, and replace egg with applesauce
- Keto-Friendly: Substitute almond flour and use sugar alternatives
- Orange Poppy Seed: Add poppy seeds for nutty texture
- Gluten-Free: Use 1:1 gluten-free flour blend
Storage
Fresh Storage
- Store in airtight container for 3 days at room temperature
- Refrigerate for up to 1 week for longer freshness
Freezing Options
- Unbaked: Freeze cut scones on baking sheet, then store in freezer bags
- Baked: Wrap individually and freeze for up to 3 months
- Bake frozen scones with 2-3 extra minutes
Make-Ahead Tips
- Prepare dry ingredients the night before
- Let mixed dough rest in fridge for 15 minutes before baking
Secret Tip for Extra-Fluffy Scones—Straight from a Baker’s Kitchen
When I first started testing my orange scone recipe, something was missing. The flavor was perfect, but I wanted that sky-high rise and tender, bakery-style crumb. That’s when a seasoned pastry chef shared a simple, game-changing secret: rest the dough in the fridge for 15 minutes before shaping.
It sounded too easy—but it worked like magic. The flour had time to hydrate, the butter firmed up, and the result? Fluffier, taller orange scones with buttery layers that peel apart beautifully. If you want to take your orange scone recipe from homemade to professional-level, don’t skip this step. It’s the quiet secret behind every perfect bite.
FAQ
What is the secret to good scones?
The secret to good scones lies in using cold ingredients and minimal mixing. Keep butter, cream, and eggs chilled before use. Cut cold butter into flour until it resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized pieces. Gently mix wet and dry ingredients just until combined - overmixing creates tough, dense scones instead of tender, flaky ones.
What is the 15 minute rule for scones?
The 15-minute rule for scones involves chilling shaped, cut scones in the refrigerator for 15 minutes before baking. This rest period allows flour to hydrate fully and butter to firm up, resulting in taller scones with better layers. The cold dough creates steam pockets during baking, producing fluffier, more tender orange scones.
What to avoid when making scones?
Avoid overmixing the dough, using warm ingredients, and twisting when cutting. Don't knead or handle dough excessively - this develops gluten and creates tough scones. Keep butter cold to maintain flaky texture. Cut straight down without twisting the knife, as twisting seals edges and prevents proper rising during baking.
What is the secret to fluffy scones?
The secret to fluffy scones is cold butter and gentle handling. Use butter straight from the refrigerator and cut it into flour until mixture has pea-sized pieces. These butter chunks create steam pockets during baking, resulting in light, airy texture. Mix ingredients just until combined and handle dough minimally for maximum fluffiness.
Bring the Bakery Home with This Orange Scone Recipe
This orange scone recipe is proof that homemade baking can be both easy and extraordinary. With just a handful of fresh ingredients and one secret technique, you'll create citrus-kissed scones that are soft, flaky, and impossible to resist. Whether you're serving them at brunch, gifting them to a friend, or simply enjoying one with your morning coffee, these orange scones bring a little sunshine to every bite.
What makes this recipe even better? Its flexibility. Stick to the classic version for that timeless flavor, or add your own twist with spices, mix-ins, or glaze variations. No matter how you make them, you’ll end up with bakery-style scones that smell as good as they taste.
If you loved this orange scone recipe, be sure to check out our other popular favorites like the cozy French Toast McCormick or our crusty, artisan-style Sourdough Ciabatta Bread Recipe. Each one is crafted with care to help you bake with confidence and creativity.
Now it’s your turn! Try this recipe, snap a photo, and leave a rating to let others know how it turned out. We can’t wait to see your warm, golden scones fresh from the oven—tag us so we can share your masterpiece!
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Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Orange Scone Recipe
Orange Scones with Glaze
Equipment
- 1 Large mixing bowl For combining dry and wet ingredients
- 1 Pastry cutter Or use two forks to cut in the butter
- 1 Bench scraper or sharp knife For cutting dough into wedges
- 1 Heavy baking sheet Ensures even baking
- 1 Parchment paper Prevents sticking
Ingredients
For the Scones
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup cold unsalted butter cut into small cubes
- ⅔ cup heavy cream or buttermilk
- 1 egg lightly beaten
- 1 tablespoon fresh orange zest
- 2 tablespoon fresh orange juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Orange Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoon fresh orange juice add more for desired consistency
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F and line baking sheet.
- Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Cut in cold butter until crumbly.
- Whisk cream, egg, orange zest, juice, and vanilla.
- Stir wet into dry just until combined.
- Pat dough into a circle and cut into 8 wedges.
- Place on baking sheet with spacing.
- Bake for 15–18 minutes until golden.
- Whisk glaze ingredients until smooth.
- Drizzle glaze over warm scones.
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