Let’s get real—holiday cooking often leaves us with a mishmash of stray ingredients. What if you could whip up a brunch showstopper using all those odds and ends? That’s where our recipe comes into play: spiced holiday scones. They’re not just another pretty pastry; they’re a cha-cha-cha of flavors, made from that last handful of fresh cranberries and the orange that’s too tart to eat. Say goodbye to blandness and hello to scone brilliance!
The skyrocketing grocery prices are a universal concern, making every bit of leftover ingredients more valuable than ever.
While the tradition of “waste not, want not” may have roots in an Italian kitchen, it’s a mantra we can all get behind, especially during jaw-dropping food costs.
So, this recipe isn’t just a nod to deliciousness or holiday spirit; it’s a salute to smart, resourceful cooking in an era where a bag of sugar could practically require financing.
You’re about to make scones that are more than just pastries; they’re a statement of culinary ingenuity. Break out that rolling pin, and let’s put those lingering holiday spices and rogue fruits to fabulous use!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love Spiced Holiday Scones
Have you got a too-tart orange and that last smattering of cranberries? We’re about to tell you why they’re not just taking up space. Welcome to a masterclass in no-waste, big-flavor cooking—yep, you’re about to get schooled (see what we did there?)!
Say hello to scones that are the life of the after-party, where tart meets sweet and aromatic spices making a formerly dry, tasteless scone fricking unforgettable!
- Transform your pastry game: we’re talking big, bold flavors that leave blandness in the dust.
- Zero waste, maximum taste: Use those leftover cranberries and end food waste guilt.
- Sour cream surplus? Not a problem: bring new life to dairy leftovers.
- Oranges: bought too many for other holiday baking? Use it now!
- Easy-peasy brunch dazzler: impress your guests without breaking a sweat.
- It pairs perfectly with your morning joe or tea: it’s the sip ‘n’ snack dream team.
- Save that grocery run for another day: everything you need is probably already in your kitchen.
Kitchen Essentials for Cranberry Orange Scones
- Mixing bowl
- Measuring cups
- Baking tray
- Rolling pin
- Zester
Cranberry Orange Scones Ingredients
- All-purpose flour
- Granulated sugar
- Fresh cranberries
- Orange zest
- Variety of spices
- Heavy cream
- Sour cream
How to Make Spiced Holiday Scones
Here’s our quick overview of the perfect cranberry orange scones, and you can grab the firm details on the recipe card at the bottom of the page. Don’t worry; baking scones are super easy, and these are super yummy.
Prep Your Baking Pans & Preheat The Oven
First, forget about greasing pans—get that large baking sheet lined with parchment paper for a no-fuss, no-stick experience. Then set the prepped baking pan aside and preheat your oven, too!
The Dry Ingredients: Where The Spiced Holiday Scones Flavor Begins
Whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and granulated sugar in a large mixing bowl. This forms the base of your scones, but we’re not stopping at basic.
Cue your aromatic spices—cardamom, allspice, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Whisk them in until the blend smells like the holidays wrapped in a bow.
We must incorporate cold, unsalted butter to get that flaky scone texture. Cut it in until your mixture resembles a coarse meal.
Dry Ingredients: Where Bland Turns Grand
If you’ve ever had a Starbucks scone, you need 2 more cups of coffee to suffer that thing down, and that is probably why they sell them!
So, let’s change that and kick things off with a large mixing prep bowl that can handle the wow factor we’re about to deliver.
Sift in your all-purpose flour, baking powder, and granulated sugar. Here comes the plot twist: add in your spices cardamom, allspice, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Get this: your scones will taste good, not like a salt biscuit.
Whisk until it’s all a harmonious blend of “Oh my God, can it be Christmas every day?” This is what turns our cranberry orange plain Jane scones into the spiced holiday scones version we love, and you will, too!
Then, add cold, unsalted butter with a fork until butter is in pea-sized pieces.
Wet Ingredients Mixture For Spiced Holiday Scones
Combine the heavy cream, sour cream, and egg in a separate bowl. Then zest that tart old orange you’ve kept because no one wants to eat it, and you don’t want to waste it. Whisk to combine
Blend & Fold The Wet & Dry Spiced Holiday Scones Mixture
Unite the wet and dry ingredients by folding them into one another, and then toss in the fresh cranberries. Don’t overdo the folding, and do not mix.
Roll, Flatten, & Cut Your Spiced Holiday Cranberry Orange Scones
Generously dust your cutting board with flour so the cranberry orange scone dough does not stick.
Place the holiday spiced scones dough on the cutting board or your flour-dusted work surface and work it into a 6×10-inch rectangle. (we use a rolling pin, but you can flatten evenly with your hands——–Flour your hands, too.)
Diagnolly Divide The Spiced Scones Dough
Slice up that delectable dough into rectangles. This part will make or break your shape, so choose the best rectangle shape.
Next, make diagonal cuts to form those signature scone triangles. These aren’t mere pastries; they’re edible pyramids of pleasure.
Tray Up Your Spiced Holiday Scones
Slide your triangle treats onto a baking sheet and let them chill in the fridge.
This allows that spiced dough to firm a bit before you bake.
Baking The Cranberry Orange Scones
Preheat the oven once the scones have been refrigerated for at least a half hour.
Bake, and then remove from the oven onto a cooling rack.
The Spiced Orange Glaze Icing
Let’s make the icing for the cranberry orange scones.
We’ve traded out traditional, bland orange icing to compliment the delectable spiced holiday scones.
Combine powdered sugar, freshly squeezed orange juice, and your line-up of spices. Whisk and allow it to sit for a little.
PRO SPICED ICING TIP: If, for some reason, your spiced holiday icing for the holiday spiced scones is too runny, well, you need to balance it out with a bit more powdered sugar, so be stingy when you add the orange juice.
Cooled Spiced Scones + Icing Them
Once you’ve allowed the scones to cool, drizzle that luscious glaze over them.
PRO TIP: use a cooling rack atop the parchment-lined baking tray and place the cranberry orange scones on the cooking rack so that when you ice them, the run-off goes right onto the paper, making for easy cleanup and reusing the parchment paper to its maximum!
Will You Make Spiced Holiday Scones?
Alright, we’ve spilled the tea—or should I say, the spiced orange glaze—on making these delicious spiced holiday scones.
You’ve got the rundown on blending flavors that punch above their weight and how to utilize those extra holiday ingredients lurking in your pantry.
But now, will you whip up the spiced cranberry orange scones for your next festive gathering?
Seriously, please don’t leave us hanging here.
Come back and spill all the juicy details—did you stick to the script or freestyle with different spices? Did Aunt Karen finally admit that your scones are better than her fruitcake?
So preheat that oven, and let your inner pastry chef run wild. We’re all about those kitchen experiments and taste-test confessions. And hey, sharing is caring—so feel free to tell us all about your scone escapades in the comments below.
That’s a wrap, my culinary comrades. Until next time, may your scones be spicy, your glaze be zesty, and your holidays be nothing short of fabulous.~Dana XO.
Spiced Holiday Scones
Looking to elevate your holiday baking game? Step into the delightful world of Spiced Holiday Scones! Crafted from extra baking ingredients you're likely to have on hand during the festive season, these scones are the perfect blend of cranberry and orange. Immerse your senses in the intoxicating aroma of seasonal spices like cardamom, allspice, nutmeg, and cinnamon as you bake. Once out of the oven, these beauties get a glam makeover with a zesty spiced orange glaze that's smoother than Sinatra. Say goodbye to basic brunches and hello to a scone experience that makes you the undisputed ruler of holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
- 2 c. all-purpose flour + ¼ c. for work surface
- 3 t. baking powder
- 1/4 t. ground cardamom
- 1/8 t. allspice
- 1/8 t. nutmeg
- 1/8 t. cinnamon
- ½ c. granulated sugar
- ¼ t. salt
- ½ c. cold unsalted butter
- ½ c. heavy cream
- ¼ c. sour cream
- 1 large egg
- 1 t. vanilla extract
- ¼ t. orange extract
- 1 t. orange zest, preferably organic
- 1 c. fresh cranberries (rinsed)
- GLAZE
- 2/3 c. powdered sugar
- 1-2 T. fresh orange juice
- A teeny-tiny pinch each of cardamom, allspice, nutmeg, and cinnamon
Instructions
- Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine two cups flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, cardamom, allspice, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Cut in the cold butter with a fork until it's pea-sized.
- In a separate bowl, whip together the heavy cream, sour cream, egg, vanilla extract, orange extract, and orange zest.
- Carefully fold the wet ingredients into the dry mix.
- Stir in the fresh cranberries until just mixed.
- Lightly knead the dough into a ball on a clean work surface dusted with that extra ¼ cup of flour.
- Flatten the ball into a ½” high rectangle (approximately 6” x 10”).
- Cut in half lengthwise, and then each half into 3 rectangles.
- Then, cut each rectangle diagonally to create triangle-shaped pieces.
- Transfer the scones to the prepared baking sheet, leaving 1-2” between them.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before baking.
- Preheat oven to 400°F, then add the baking sheet to the oven when ready.
- Bake the scones for 18-22 minutes or until they are nicely golden brown and cooked.
- Remove from oven and cool for 5-10 minutes.
- As they cool (I know, it's hard to wait), whisk together your powdered sugar, fresh orange juice, and a pinch of cardamom, allspice, nutmeg, and cinnamon in a small bowl for that divine spiced glaze.
- Drizzle the glaze over the warm scones and serve. Watch your guests' eyes light up.
Notes
Baking time will vary between ovens, so from 16-22 minutes.
Prep Time is just the recipe combined together
Additional time is 30 minutes of refrigeration and 30 minutes to cool before icing (at a minimum)
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 203Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 50mgSodium: 183mgCarbohydrates: 22gFiber: 1gSugar: 18gProtein: 1g
DanaVento.Com is not a dietician or nutritionist; any nutritional information shared is simply an estimate. Use a nutritional calculator if you need exact estimates of nutrition, and note that the brands you use in your recipe may differ slightly or significantly from those brands of items you use, creating a variance in nutritional content.
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