Zesty Orange Scones – Light, Fluffy & Bakery-Worthy
If you’ve ever bitten into a perfectly tender scone and thought, “This is what happiness tastes like,” then you’ll love these Orange Scones. Soft inside, golden on the outside, with just the right hint of citrus — they’re perfect for breakfast, brunch, or afternoon tea. Best of all, they’re incredibly easy to make at home.
Why You’ll Love These Scones
- Bright citrus flavor – fresh orange zest makes them pop
- Tender & flaky texture – thanks to cold butter and gentle mixing
- Quick to make – only 30 minutes from start to finish
- Customizable – add cranberries, chocolate chips, or drizzle glaze on top
- Better than store-bought – fresh, warm, and made with love
Equipment Needed
- Large mixing bowl
- Small mixing bowl
- Pastry blender, fork, or fingertips (for cutting butter)
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Baking sheet lined with parchment paper
- Wire cooling rack
- Zester or fine grater
Ingredients
For the Scones
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup granulated sugar (plus 1 tbsp for sprinkling, optional)
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp kosher salt
- 4 tbsp salted butter, very cold (grated or cubed)
- ½ cup milk (whole or 2%)
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp orange zest (from 1 medium orange)
- ½ tsp vanilla extract (optional, but lovely)
For the Glaze (optional, but recommended!)
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tbsp fresh orange juice (or milk for a milder glaze)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12–15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 8 scones
Step 1: Preheat
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2: Dry Mix
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
Step 3: Cut in Butter
Add cold butter and cut it into the flour mixture with fingertips or a pastry blender until coarse crumbs form.
Step 4: Wet Ingredients
In a small bowl, whisk together milk, egg, orange zest, and vanilla extract.
Step 5: Combine
Pour wet mixture into dry ingredients. Mix gently with a fork until a shaggy dough forms. Do not overmix.
Step 6: Shape
Turn dough onto a floured surface. Pat into a 1-inch thick disc. Cut into 8 wedges or rounds using a cutter.
Step 7: Bake
Place scones on prepared sheet. Sprinkle tops with sugar if desired. Bake for 12–15 minutes, until golden brown.
Step 8: Glaze
Cool on a wire rack. Mix powdered sugar and orange juice until smooth, then drizzle over warm scones.
Pro Tips for Success
- Keep butter cold – cold butter = flaky scones.
- Use fresh zest – bottled zest won’t have the same bright flavor.
- Don’t overmix – stop once dough comes together.
- Freeze the dough – shape and freeze raw wedges; bake straight from frozen, adding 2 minutes.
Variations to Try
- Cranberry Orange Scones – fold in ½ cup dried cranberries
- Chocolate Orange Scones – add ½ cup mini chocolate chips
- Glazed Lemon-Orange Twist – replace half the zest with lemon for a citrus duo
- Creamier Version – swap milk for heavy cream for richer scones
FAQ
Q: Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! Freeze unbaked scones and bake fresh when needed.
Q: How do I store leftovers?
Store in an airtight container at room temp for 2 days, or refrigerate up to 5.
Q: Can I use plant-based milk?
Yes, almond or oat milk works fine, but dairy gives the richest flavor.
Q: Do I need to glaze them?
Nope — they’re delicious plain, but glaze makes them bakery-worthy.
Zesty Orange Scones
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet.
- Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Cut butter into mixture until coarse crumbs form.
- Whisk milk, egg, zest, and vanilla. Add to dry ingredients.
- Mix gently until shaggy dough forms.
- Shape into 1-inch disc, cut into 8 wedges.
- Bake 12–15 minutes, until golden.
- Cool, then drizzle with glaze.
Notes