These orange cherry scones are tender, buttery, and lightly sweet, with bright citrus zest and chewy dried cherries in every bite. Finished with a simple orange glaze, this easy homemade scone recipe is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon coffee break.
Orange Cherry Scones are a bakery-style treat that feels special without being complicated. The dough is rich and flaky, the dried cherries provide pops of sweetness, and fresh orange zest keeps the flavor bright and balanced.
These scones are made from simple pantry ingredients and come together quickly. They are ideal for a leisurely weekend, holiday morning, or to serve at a brunch gathering. The recipe is straightforward and adaptable, so you can swap fruits or adjust the glaze to suit your taste.
What I Love About This Recipe
- The balance of flavors: tart, chewy cherries and bright orange zest complement the buttery scone base without making it overly sweet.
- Perfect texture: cold butter and heavy cream create a tender, flaky interior with lightly golden edges—pleasantly soft and moist.
- Simple process: minimal technique and everyday tools make this recipe approachable for bakers of all levels.
- Flexible: swap the dried cherries for other dried or fresh fruit, or alter the glaze for a different flavor profile.
Equipment You May Need
- Baking sheet – for even baking.
- Parchment paper – optional, for easy cleanup and nonstick results.
- Large mixing bowl – to combine ingredients.
- Zester – to capture fresh orange zest.
- Pastry cutter or fork – to cut cold butter into the dry ingredients.
- Pastry brush – to brush cream on the scones before baking (optional).
- Whisk or fork – to mix the glaze.
(A printable recipe card is included below.)
Orange Cherry Scones Ingredients
For the Scones
- All-purpose flour – structure without toughness.
- Granulated sugar – light sweetness.
- Baking powder – leavening to give lift.
- Salt – enhances overall flavor.
- Fresh orange zest – bright citrus aroma and flavor.
- Cold unsalted butter – cut into small pieces to create flaky layers.
- Dried cherries – chopped, for chewy bursts of flavor.
- Heavy cream – keeps the dough tender and rich.
For the Glaze
- Powdered sugar – for a smooth sweet glaze.
- Fresh orange juice – to thin the glaze and add citrus brightness.
How to Make Orange Cherry Scones
Step One: Preheat and prepare
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a baking sheet or line it with parchment paper and set aside.
Step Two: Combine dry ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and orange zest until evenly distributed.
Step Three: Cut in the butter
Add the cold butter pieces and use a pastry cutter or fork to work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse, pea-sized crumbs. Stir in the chopped dried cherries.
Step Four: Add the cream
Make a well in the center and pour in 1 cup of heavy cream. Gently stir until the dough just begins to come together. If the dough is too dry, add a little more cream, one tablespoon at a time.
Step Five: Shape the scones
Divide the dough into two portions. On a lightly floured surface, shape each portion into a circle about 1¼ inches thick. Cut each circle into four wedges to make eight scones total (or divide into smaller pieces for mini scones).
Step Six: Bake
Place the scones on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the tops with the remaining 2 tablespoons of cream. Bake for 15–20 minutes, until the edges are golden brown. Allow them to cool slightly on a wire rack.
Step Seven: Glaze and finish
Whisk the powdered sugar with fresh orange juice until smooth and pourable. Brush or drizzle the glaze over the warm scones and let it set briefly before serving.
(Full printable recipe card is included below.)
Serving Suggestions
- Serve warm with coffee or tea for a comforting breakfast or afternoon treat.
- Add to a brunch spread alongside eggs, bacon, and fruit.
- Offer butter, marmalade, or jam on the side for guests to customize their scone.
- For a dessert twist, serve with vanilla ice cream and warmed cherry sauce.
Quick Tips for Best Results
- Keep the butter cold to create a flaky texture.
- Handle the dough gently and avoid overmixing to preserve tenderness.
- If the dough feels dry, add cream a teaspoon at a time until it holds together.
- Adjust the amount of glaze to your preference—lightly drizzled or more generous.
- Make triangular scones as shown or shape into rounds; mini scones bake faster, so reduce the bake time accordingly.
- To intensify the orange flavor, increase the zest or omit the cherries for a plain orange scone variation.
Orange Cherry Scones FAQ
How should I store the scones?
Store scones in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
Can I freeze the scones?
Yes. Freeze unglazed scones in a sealed container. Thaw and glaze before serving.
Substitutions?
Swap the dried cherries for dried cranberries, raisins, craisins, or chopped dried apricots. You can also use other citrus zest such as lemon or lime instead of orange.
Can I use low-fat ingredients?
Heavy cream yields the best texture. Low-fat alternatives may produce a denser scone.
Dietary adaptations?
For a vegan version, try plant-based butter and a non-dairy cream alternative, though texture will vary. For gluten-free, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and note that results may differ from the original.
Other Brunch Recipes You May Enjoy
- Mini scones with walnuts — a nutty small-batch scone.
- Mini chocolate chocolate chip muffins — rich, chocolatey muffins for a treat.
- Cinnamon muffins — easy baked muffins with warm cinnamon flavor.
Enjoy these simple, gourmet-style orange cherry scones. If you bake them, consider what you paired them with and enjoy sharing the results.
Orange Cherry Scones
Ingredients
Scones:
- Butter for greasing the pan (optional)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for the work surface
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon fresh orange zest
- 5 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
- 3/4 cup chopped dried cherries
- 1 1/8 cups heavy cream, divided (1/8 cup = 2 tablespoons)
Glaze:
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a baking sheet or line with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and orange zest.
- Cut the cold butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse, pea-sized crumbs. Stir in the dried cherries.
- Make a well in the center and pour in 1 cup of heavy cream. Stir gently until the dough just comes together. If too dry, add a little more cream.
- Divide the dough in half. On a lightly floured surface, form each half into a circle about 1¼ inches thick. Cut each circle into 4 wedges for a total of 8 scones.
- Place scones on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the tops with the remaining 2 tablespoons of cream. Bake 15–20 minutes, until golden at the edges. Cool slightly.
- Whisk the powdered sugar with orange juice until smooth and pourable. Brush or drizzle the glaze over warm scones.
Notes
Snappy tips: If the dough seems too dry, add cream a teaspoon at a time until it holds together. For variations, replace dried cherries with other dried fruit or increase orange zest for a brighter citrus flavor.
Nutrition (approx.)
Calories: 370 kcal | Carbohydrates: 44 g | Protein: 5 g | Fat: 20 g | Sugar: 18 g
