Easy and Delicious Orange Scones

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Breakfast can be a meal that gets overlooked due to the hustle and bustle of the morning routine. Today, I’m sharing an easy and delicious orange scone recipe that will take your breakfast routine and elevate it in the best way.

easy orange scones with orange glaze dripping on top of the baked scone

Breakfast can be a meal that we rush through and that gets overlooked, but it is worth making special every now and again. One of my favorite homemaking hacks is to find recipes that I can make ahead of time and enjoy on a moment’s notice.

Scones are wonderful for this because you can make them ahead and store in an airtight container for the next day. This makes it easy to spice up breakfast without creating more of a morning rush. If you’re looking for another wonderful, make ahead breakfast recipe, try my overnight oatmeal or my easy biscuit recipe. They are staple recipes in this home and ones that everyone loves.

ingredients for orange scones in bowls on a table with a white table cloth

How do you make scones in 5 easy steps?

Whisk dry ingredients in a large bowl
Whisk wet ingredients in a separate, small bowl
Combine ingredients and cut in the cold butter
Turn out onto a floured surface and form into a large, round circle. Cut the circle into triangular, scone shapes.
Bake until golden

Why you’ll love these orange scones

Warm and fluffy
Crispy edges and soft middle
Sweet and Citrus combined
Creamy glaze on top
Pairs perfectly with yogurt, quiche or other protein for breakfast or brunch
Can be made ahead, refrigerated, or frozen for future enjoyment

orange scone dough cut into wedges and laying on parchment paper on a table

Orange Scone Ingredients

Flour: You will need 2 cups, plus more for the work surface when you roll them out and for your hands so you can work with the dough.
Baking Powder: Helps the scones to rise
Baking Soda: To help the scones rise, but this also leaves the scones fluffy
Egg: You only need one, but it’s necessary for adding structure to the scones
Sour Cream: This adds moisture and fat to this recipe, which is necessary for a soft scone
Sugar: We use a standard white sugar, but you could use maple sugar or coconut sugar as a simple substitute
Grated Orange zest: I grab a few large oranges to zest and use the juice for the glaze
Butter: You can cut the butter into small cubes, grate with a box grater, or grate with a food processor. The key is to make sure your butter is super cold, so pop it in the freezer for 15-30 minutes after you grate to get it very cold.

Orange Scone Recipe

Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a large bowl.
In a small bowl, whisk the egg and sour cream together.
Pour sugar in another small bowl and press the orange zest into the sugar until combined. Once combined, add the sugar mixture to the flour mixture and mix.
Add the frozen butter and cut it in with a pastry cutter or fork. Work it in well or until the mixture is pea-sized.
Stir in the egg/sour cream mixture with a wooden spoon or with your hands until thoroughly combined and it forms into a ball.
Divide the dough in half. Place balls on lightly floured surface and roll or pat them into a 6-inch circle. Don’t roll it too thin or they will dry out. Cut each circle into 6-8 wedges. We prefer 6 wedges so we can have bigger scones.
Put scones on a parchment lined baking sheet. Keep the scones from touching as they will grow in the oven. Bake for 13-15 minutes, or until golden brown.
While the scones bake, make the glaze.

orange scone dough wedged laying on the table ready to be baked

Orange Scone Glaze Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups Powdered Sugar– Every good glaze starts with powdered sugar
3 tablespoons Orange juice– I squeeze the juice from the oranges I zested for this
3 tablespoons Butter– Many people prefer unsalted, but we love salted butter because it brings out the sweetness of the glaze
3/4 teaspoon Vanilla– Instead of putting vanilla in the scone, I reserve the vanilla for the glaze

Orange Glaze Recipe

Melt the butter in a saucepan.
Mix the powdered sugar, orange juice, melted butter, and vanilla together.
Add more powdered sugar or milk to create the consistency you want. If it’s too thin, add some powdered sugar. If it’s too thick, add milk (one tablespoon at a time) until it’s the consistency you are looking for.

an old english pitcher pouring orange glaze onto baked orange scones

Orange Scone Recipe Tips and Tricks

Freeze grated butter to get a fluffier texture for your baked scone
Grate butter with a box grater or in a food processor for easy combining
Be sure to allow your oven to get to the proper temperature before putting the scones into it. This is what helps the scones to be tall and fluffy.
To Freeze: make your scone dough, roll it, and cut it into wedges. Flash freeze your wedges for 30 minutes. Place them in a ziplock and freeze for up to a month. When you want to eat them, pull them out and place them on a parchment lined baking sheet for 1 hour as the oven preheats. Bake according to the instructions.
To Refrigerate: You can make this dough and refrigerate it in dough balls for up to 3 days. Wrap the dough balls tightly with saran wrap. When you are ready to use, pull them out and roll/slice the dough according to the instructions.

orange scones stacked on a cake plate with another orange scone on a small plate ready to be eaten

Variations and Substitutions

Chocolate and Orange Scones

When you combine your wet and dry ingredients, add in 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips. Combine well to ensure even distribution. Continue with the recipe as instructed.

Date and Orange Scones

When you combine your wet and dry ingredients, add in 1 cup chopped, pitted dates. Combine well to ensure even distribution. Continue with the recipe as instructed.

Basic Scone Glaze

Every scone needs, at least, a drizzle of glaze on top of it. It is easy to customize scone glazes to fit whatever recipe you’re using. Below is a basic scone glaze recipe that is completely adaptable.

1 cup powdered sugar
2-3 tablespoons liquid: this could be milk, whipping cream, orange juice, etc. You can customize it to fit your recipe’s flavor profile

Substitutions

Substitute 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream or yogurt for the sour cream
Substitute maple sugar for the white sugar to make these healthier and add a depth of flavor

orange scone on a plate with one bite on a fork, ready to be eaten

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the secret to delicious scones?

There are two secrets:
1. Don’t add too much flour, making the dough dry and crumbly.
2. Make sure your butter is super cold, if not frozen, before cutting it into the dough so that it stays light and fluffy.

What can I use in place of sour cream when baking scones?

You can substitute equal parts heavy whipping cream or yogurt for the sour cream in scones.

Can I freeze scones to use later?

Yes, you can freeze scones prior to baking so that you can have fresh scones on a moment’s notice. Make your scone dough, roll it and cut it. Place the wedges on a cookie sheet and flash freeze for 30 minutes. Place frozen scones in a ziplock bag and place in the freezer for up to 1 month. When you are ready to bake them, place them on a parchment lined cookie sheet and allow them to thaw for 1 hour as the oven preheats. Bake according to instructions.

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