Better than Starbucks Cranberry Orange Scones

You’ll be transported to a whole other world with just one bite of this better than Starbucks scone recipe. They’re totally company worthy and freeze well too!

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OMG This is the breakfast recipe that I have been looking for!! These taste almost like the Starbucks Cranberry-orange scones... but BETTER! I didn't know that was possible. Starbucks scones are good, but these copycat starbucks scones are just simply amazing! #sconerecipe #copycatrecipe #cranberryorangescone #starbucksscones

Even though I don’t drink coffee {crazy, I know}, I’m still a huge Starbucks fan.

I feel like I’m going on a mini retreat when step inside and order my favorite Double Chocolately Chip Frappuccino. And if it’s close to lunchtime, I’ll splurge and get a warmed-up Cranberry Orange Scone too. Living dangerously, I tell you.

The last time I bit into a warm scone though, I had the most anti-Starbucks thought ever. I wondered if I could make my own Cranberry Orange Scone recipe at home.

I got right to work in the kitchen and glory be—got it right on the first try. It helps when you adapt a previous scone recipe, but still. I was kind of proud of myself!

I have to tell you—these scones are out of this WORLD. In fact, they tasted so good, Joseph {who isn’t a big fan of scones in the first place} couldn’t stop eating them! He was huge fan, and I know you will be too.

Sorry Starbucks, but this recipe is way better. 

How to Make Cranberry Orange Scones

Step 1: Preheat oven to 425 degrees and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper. Then in a food processor, add flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda and lightly mix. Add butter and pulse until mixture is coarse.

Starbucks Scone Recipe | Cut up the butter before mixing in food processor.

Step 2: Place mixture into a bowl and make a well in the center. Add egg, vanilla, orange zest, and buttermilk.

Starbucks Scone Recipe | Mix in the Eggs, Milk, and Mandarin Orange Zes

Step 3: Whisk with a fork until dough is soft, then stir in cranberries.

Starbucks Scone Recipe | Cranberries are the best part! Mix them in with a fork.

Step 4: Kneed gently on a lightly floured surface. Then pat with your hands until dough is about 1″ thick. Cut into triangles.

Starbucks Scone Recipe | Don't roll them too thin! Keep it about an inch thick.

Step 5: Place triangles on prepared baking sheet, and brush with melted butter. Put the scones in the oven and turn the temperature down to 400 degrees.

Starbucks Scone Recipe | Lightly brush with melted butter.

Step 6: Bake for 12-18 minutes, until outside just begins to brown. Drizzle with icing, if desired.

Starbucks Scone Recipe | Best if served with an icing topping! But they are delicious without it as well {if you're watching your sugar intake}
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Better than Starbucks Cranberry Orange Scones


  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 1420 Scones 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 3/4 tsp salt
  • 4 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 cup unsalted butter cut into small pieces
  • 1 egg
  • 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • zest from 1 mandarin orange
  • 3/4 cup buttermilk
  • 1 cup dried cranberries
  • 4 tablespoons melted butter

For the Glaze:

  • 2 tbsp melted butter
  • 2 1/2 cup confectioner’s sugar
  • milk, as required

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a food processor add flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda and lightly mix. Add butter and pulse until mixture is coarse.
  3. Place mixture into a bowl and make a well in the center. Add egg, vanilla, orange zest, and buttermilk. Stir with a fork until dough is soft. Stir in cranberries.
  4. Kneed gently on a lightly floured surface. Then pat with your hands until dough is about 1″ thick. Cut into triangles. Place triangles on the prepared baking sheet, and brush with melted butter. Put the scones in the oven and turn the temperature down to 400 degrees.
  5. Bake for 12-18 minutes, until outside just begins to brown.
  6. Mix icing ingredients and drizzle over warm scones.
  • Prep Time: 12 minutes
  • Cook Time: 18 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Cuisine: British

Keywords: cranberry orange scones, scones

Total Cost: $4.47 for the batch or $.31/serving (1 scone)

For a special breakfast treat on the weekends, make these scones ahead of time and freeze in a big bag for later. They warm up nicely 20-25 seconds in the microwave, and are totally company worthy!

Want even more comforting breakfast goodies?

Blueberry Mall Muffins

These are a few of my go-to recipes:

I also offer a FREE meal planning worksheet, which is guaranteed to reduce stress around dinner time. Although personally, I love planning out my breakfast, lunch, and snack ideas too! Get it HERE.

What is your opinion of scones? Are you a fan?

Disclosure: Some of the links in the post above are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. Read my full disclosure policy here.

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21 Comments

  1. This is an awesome recipe!! I make these often. It is a favorite at the local fire department and the Sheriff’s office. They are requested often. Thank you for taking the time to come up with the recipe!! Love love love it!!

  2. I haven’t made the icing yet, but the scones are tasty. I forgot to use unsalted butter…and brushed the top with salted butter..DO NOT do that lol! But with the addition of the icing, it should mask the saltiness of the tops.

    1. I’m glad you liked them! Yes, the icing is super sweet so it should help cut down on that salty flavor.

  3. Was anyone able to get dough to come together using just 3/4 cup buttermilk?? I had to add about 1/2 cup more. Used OJ in icing instead of milk. Very tender and delicious!

    1. It’s a pretty crumbly dough – but there’s nothing wrong with adding more buttermilk if it’s not holding together! 🙂

    2. I have made this recipe many times. Its sooo good. I have figured out that if I use a Danish dough hook (from Amazon) and then turn the dough out and knead it for a tiny bit, the form two “logs” and wrap them in plastic wrap, put in the fridge overnight, the dough will be perfect to roll out in the morning.

  4. Easy and delicious. I made theses with a gluten free flour and they turned out great. I also used a little fresh squeezed orange juice in place of the milk for the icing.

  5. I like blueberry and chocolate chip scones, I’m not as a big a fan of the cranberry ones. But they look just like the starbucks ones!

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