Orange Scone Recipe

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Looking for a zesty morning treat? Bursting with citrus flavor, this Orange Scone Recipe is easy to make and perfect for any occasion. Whip up a batch for your next brunch or just enjoy with your favorite cup of tea or coffee. This would be the perfect addition to your Mother’s Day menu (or any day, really). 😉

But Wait, What is a Scone?

A scone is a traditional British baked good made of wheat or oatmeal, raised with baking powder, and baked on sheet pans. It’s the main component served with afternoon tea and not to be confused with a tea cake (which is leavened with yeast). Similar to a biscuit, but much more delicious because it’s sprinkled with sugar or topped with a sweet glaze.

Why You’ll Love this Orange Scones Recipe

Get ready to up your breakfast game with these delightful, easy to make Orange Scones! Bursting with citrus flavor and topped with a sweet glaze, they’re the perfect treat to start your day on a sunny note. I’ve had this easy scone recipe on my site for several years now and thought, why not bump up the flavor by adding ORANGE? Enter – citrus heaven on a plate.

Ingredients Needed for Orange Scones

Just a few pantry staple ingredients are needed to make these orange scones. For flakier scones, keep the ingredients and dough cold. Here is everything you need:

• All-purpose flour: Provides the base for the scone dough.
• Baking powder: Helps the scones rise and become light and fluffy.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances flavor.
• Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness to the scones.
• Shortening: Provides moisture and texture to the scones.
• Egg: Binds the ingredients together and adds richness.
• Heavy whipping cream: Adds moisture and richness to the scone dough.
• Vanilla extract: Enhances the flavor of the scones.
• Orange extract: Infuses the scones with fresh citrus flavor.
• Fresh orange zest: Adds bright citrus flavor to the scones.

for the glaze-

• Confectioner’s sugar (aka powdered sugar): Used to make the sweet glaze.
• Orange Juice: I used freshly squeezed orange juice.

Variations

• Customize your scones by adding fresh cranberries, blueberries or chocolate chips to the dough.

How to Make Orange Scones

Keep in mind this recipe makes about 8, so feel free to double the recipe if you have a crowd to feed. You can also cut these smaller and get 16 mini scones which are perfect for tea parties or baby showers. For full recipe details, including ingredient measurements, see the printable recipe card down below. Here are step-by-step instructions for making and baking scones:

1. Preheat Oven + Prep Baking Sheet

Preheat oven to 400° F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone baking mat. Set aside.

2. Blend Dry Ingredients + Shortening Together

In the bowl of a food processor, measure out all dry ingredients, shortening and the majority of the orange zest. Pulse until the shortening is dispersed evenly in tiny little chunks. Alternatively, you can do this by hand in a large bowl with a pastry cutter or even a hand mixer.

Pro Tips: Use fresh baking powder for best results with rising. Measure your flour carefully, fluffing it first before spooning into a measuring cup. Lastly, be sure to not over mix the dough.

3. Whisk Wet Ingredients Together

In a medium bowl, whisk egg, vanilla extract, and heavy cream together. Pour into flour mixture and pulse until the dough starts to form. 

4. Form Dough into Triangles

Dump scone dough onto a lightly floured surface and press out to an 8-10 inch circle, approximately. Cut into 8 triangles with a pizza cutter or sharp knife, just like you’re cutting a pie. 

Place dough triangles onto the prepared baking sheet. Brush the top of the scones with cream and sprinkle with more sugar.

5. Bake

Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until bottoms are lightly golden brown. Cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet, then transfer scones to a wire rack.

6. Make the Glaze

While scones are cooling, make the glaze by whisking the confectioner’s sugar and orange juice together in a small bowl until well combined. Add more juice as needed to thin out the glaze to your liking. 

Drizzle warm scones with glaze, top with a little bit of zest and serve!

Storage + Make Ahead Directions for Orange Scones

Any leftover scones can be stored at room temperature, for up to 4 days or in the fridge, for 2 weeks. Make sure to store wrapped in plastic wrap or in an airtight container to preserve freshness. Reheat in the microwave, toaster, toaster oven, or oven! Or enjoy at room temperature.

Freezing Baked. Bake scones as directed and cool. Freeze in an airtight bag or container for up to 4 months. To thaw, transfer the scones to the counter for a few hours or overnight in the fridge. Either warm in the microwave or in the oven, then enjoy!

Freezing Unbaked. Once you are done cutting the dough into triangles, freeze on a plate or baking sheet for at least an hour. Then transfer to an airtight bag or container and freeze for up to 4 months. To bake, either bake from frozen, adding a few minutes to the baking time or thaw overnight and bake as normal.

More Scone Recipes to Try!

• English Scones Recipe
• Lemon & Cranberry Scones
• Almond Blueberry Scones
• Green Onion, Swiss & Parmesan Scones
• Chocolate Covered Coconut Almond Scones
• Cornmeal Blueberry Scones
• Pepperoni Pizza Scones

With their vibrant orange flavor and buttery texture, these zesty orange glazed scones are sure to brighten your day. Whether you enjoy them with a cup of coffee for breakfast or as a midday treat, they’re guaranteed to become a favorite in your household.

If you make this recipe, I would really appreciate it if you would give it a star rating and leave your review in the comments! If you have a picture of your finished dish, post it on Instagram using the hashtag #laurenslatest and tagging me @laurens_latest.