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Why You'll Love This cranberry orange scones with white chocolate chips for winter brunch
- Easy to Make: This recipe requires just a few simple ingredients and some basic kitchen equipment, making it perfect for bakers of all skill levels.
- Delicious Flavor Combination: The combination of tart cranberries, sweet orange zest, and creamy white chocolate is a match made in heaven.
- Perfect for Winter Brunch: These scones are a great way to celebrate the flavors of winter and are perfect for serving at a holiday brunch or special occasion.
- Customizable: You can easily customize this recipe to suit your tastes by adding in different mix-ins or using different types of chocolate.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: These scones can be made ahead of time and frozen for up to 2 months, making them a great option for busy bakers.
- Beautiful Presentation: The combination of white chocolate chips and dried cranberries creates a beautiful, festive presentation that's perfect for special occasions.
- Moist and Flaky Texture: The addition of heavy cream and orange zest helps to create a moist and flaky texture that's just perfect for scones.
- Great for Gift-Giving: These scones make a great gift for friends and family, especially when packaged in a cute tin or bag with a ribbon.
Ingredient Breakdown
The key ingredients in this recipe are fresh or frozen cranberries, orange zest, heavy cream, white chocolate chips, and all-purpose flour. The cranberries provide a tart and fruity flavor, while the orange zest adds a nice brightness and citrus flavor. The heavy cream helps to create a moist and flaky texture, while the white chocolate chips add a sweet and creamy element. Finally, the all-purpose flour provides structure and texture to the scones. When selecting these ingredients, be sure to choose fresh and high-quality options to get the best flavor and texture.
How to Make cranberry orange scones with white chocolate chips for winter brunch
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
Add the cold butter to the dry ingredients and use a pastry blender or your fingers to work it into the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the heavy cream and orange zest. Add this mixture to the dry ingredients and stir until the dough comes together in a shaggy mass.
Gently fold in the cranberries and white chocolate chips until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and gently pat it into a circle that is about 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick.
Use a biscuit cutter or the rim of a glass to cut out scones. Gather the scraps, re-form the dough, and cut out additional scones.
Place the scones on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until they are golden brown.
Remove the scones from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack for 10-15 minutes before serving.
Serve the scones warm, topped with clotted cream and jam if desired. Enjoy!
Tips for Perfect Results
Make sure to use cold ingredients, including cold butter and heavy cream, to help create a flaky and tender texture.
Be gentle when mixing the dough, as overmixing can lead to tough and dense scones.
Use a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to help the scones cook evenly and prevent them from sticking.
Keep an eye on the scones while they're baking and remove them from the oven when they're lightly golden brown.
Feel free to customize the recipe by adding in your favorite mix-ins, such as nuts or dried fruit.
Consider freezing the scones for up to 2 months and baking them straight from the freezer for a quick and easy breakfast or snack.
If using fresh cranberries, be sure to rinse and pat them dry before adding them to the dough to prevent excess moisture.
Be gentle when handling the dough, as overworking it can lead to tough and dense scones.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Overmixing the Dough:
Fix: Be gentle when mixing the dough, and stop as soon as the ingredients come together in a shaggy mass.
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Using Warm Ingredients:
Fix: Make sure to use cold ingredients, including cold butter and heavy cream, to help create a flaky and tender texture.
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Overbaking the Scones:
Fix: Keep an eye on the scones while they're baking and remove them from the oven when they're lightly golden brown.
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Not Using the Right Pan:
Fix: Use a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to help the scones cook evenly and prevent them from sticking.
Variations & Substitutions
Replace the fresh cranberries with dried cranberries and add in some extra orange zest for a delicious and flavorful variation.
Add in some chopped macadamia nuts and extra white chocolate chips for a delicious and indulgent treat.
Replace the white chocolate chips with chopped pecans and add in some extra cinnamon for a delicious and seasonal variation.
Replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend and add in some extra xanthan gum to help with texture.
Replace the heavy cream with a non-dairy milk and use a vegan butter substitute to create a delicious and cruelty-free version of the recipe.
Reduce the amount of sugar in the recipe and replace it with a natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup.
Storage & Make-Ahead
Store the scones at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Store the scones in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Allow the scones to come to room temperature before serving.
Store the scones in the freezer in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 2 months. Bake the scones straight from the freezer, adding an extra 2-3 minutes to the baking time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare this recipe up to 2 days in advance. Store it covered in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before serving. The flavors actually improve as they meld together overnight.
Can I use frozen cranberries instead of fresh?
Yes, you can use frozen cranberries instead of fresh. Just be sure to thaw them first and pat them dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.
Can I substitute the white chocolate chips with something else?
Yes, you can substitute the white chocolate chips with other types of chocolate or nuts. Some options include dark chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips, or chopped pecans or walnuts.
Can I make these scones gluten-free?
Yes, you can make these scones gluten-free by substituting the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. You may also need to add some xanthan gum to help with texture.
Can I freeze the scones for later?
Yes, you can freeze the scones for up to 2 months. Simply place them in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, and then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. Bake the scones straight from the freezer, adding an extra 2-3 minutes to the baking time.
How do I know when the scones are done?
The scones are done when they are lightly golden brown and firm to the touch. You can also check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of a scone - if it comes out clean, the scones are done.
Can I make these scones in a mini muffin tin?
Yes, you can make these scones in a mini muffin tin. Simply divide the dough evenly among the muffin cups and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the scones are lightly golden brown.
Can I use a different type of milk instead of heavy cream?
Yes, you can use a different type of milk instead of heavy cream. Some options include whole milk, half-and-half, or a non-dairy milk alternative. Keep in mind that using a different type of milk may affect the texture and flavor of the scones.
cranberry orange scones with white chocolate chips for winter brunch
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
- 1 tsp grated orange zest
- 2 tbsp orange juice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Whisk dry ingredients. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Cut in butter. Add the cold butter to the dry ingredients and use a pastry blender or your fingers to work the butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add cream and egg. In a separate bowl, whisk together the heavy cream and egg. Pour the cream mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until the dough comes together.
- Fold in cranberries and white chocolate chips. Gently fold in the cranberries and white chocolate chips.
- Shape the scones. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and gently knead it a few times until it comes together. Pat the dough into a circle that is about 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick. Use a biscuit cutter or the rim of a glass to cut out the scones.
- Bake the scones. Place the scones on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until they are golden brown.
- Glaze with orange glaze (optional). If desired, whisk together the orange juice and powdered sugar to make a glaze. Drizzle the glaze over the warm scones.
Recipe Notes
- Storage tip: Store leftover scones in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Make ahead: The scone dough can be prepared up to a day in advance and refrigerated overnight.
- Substitution: If you don't have heavy cream, you can substitute it with buttermilk or a mixture of milk and Greek yogurt.
- Pro tip: To get the best flavor out of your cranberries, make sure to use fresh or frozen cranberries and not dried cranberries.
