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 afternoon coffee.
Orange Cherry Scones are the kind of bakery-style treat that feels special without being complicated. The dough is rich and flaky, the dried cherries add pops of sweetness, and the fresh orange zest keeps everything balanced and bright.
These scones are easy to make from scratch and come together with simple ingredients you likely already have. Whether you’re baking for brunch, a holiday morning, or a cozy weekend at home, these scones are always a good idea.
What I Love About This Recipe
- I love the balance of flavors in these scones. The sweetness of the cherries pairs perfectly with the fresh orange zest, keeping the scones flavorful without being overly sweet. Every bite tastes bright and buttery. It’s a classic combination that never gets old.
- The texture of these scones is exactly what you want. They’re tender and flaky on the inside with lightly golden edges. Using cold butter and heavy cream gives them that bakery-style crumb. Soft, rich, moist, and satisfying. Perfect!
- This recipe is simple, even if you don’t bake scones often. The dough comes together quickly and is easy to shape. No special techniques or equipment required. It’s easy baking.
- I also love how adaptable this recipe is. You can easily substitute the dried cherries for other dried fruit or change the glaze flavor. One base recipe gives you lots of flexibility. That makes it a great go-to scone recipe.
Equipment You May Need
- Baking Sheet – Provides space for the scones to bake evenly.
- Parchment Paper – Optional, but helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup easier.
- Large Bowl – For mixing the dough.
- Zester – Makes getting fresh orange zest quick and easy.
- Pastry Cutter – Helps cut the butter into the flour evenly.
- Pastry Brush – Used to brush cream on top before baking.
- Whisk or Fork – For mixing the glaze.
(Full printable recipe card is at bottom of post.)
Orange Cherry Scones Ingredients
For the Scones
- All-Purpose Flour – Provides structure while keeping the scones tender.
- Granulated Sugar – Lightly sweetens the dough.
- Baking Powder – Helps the scones rise.
- Salt – Balances the sweetness and enhances flavor.
- Orange Zest – Adds fresh citrus flavor.
- Cold Unsalted Butter – Creates flaky layers and rich texture.
- Dried Cherries – Add sweetness and chewy texture.
- Heavy Cream – Keeps the dough rich and tender.
For the Glaze
- Powdered Sugar – Creates a smooth, sweet glaze.
- Fresh Orange Juice – Adds bright citrus flavor and thins the glaze.
How to Make Orange Cherry Scones
Step One: Prepare the Oven and Pan
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Grease a baking sheet or line it with parchment paper. Set aside.
Step Two: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, mix together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and orange zest until evenly combined.
Step Three: Cut in the Butter
Add the cold butter to the bowl and cut it into the flour mixture using a pastry cutter until pea-sized crumbs form. Stir in the chopped dried cherries.
Step Four: Add the Cream
Make a well in the center of the mixture and pour in 1 cup of the heavy cream. Stir gently until the dough just comes together.
Step Five: Shape the Scones
Divide the dough in half. Place each half on a lightly floured surface and form into a circle about 1¼ inches thick. Cut each circle into four wedges, making 8 scones total.
Step Six: Bake the Scones
Transfer the scones to the prepared baking sheet. Brush the tops with the remaining 2 tablespoons of cream. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden brown around the edges. Cool slightly.
Step Seven: Make the Glaze
Whisk together the powdered sugar and orange juice until smooth and thin. Brush the glaze over the warm scones.
(Full printable recipe card with full details is at bottom of post.)
Serving Suggestions
- Serve warm with coffee or tea. Also great with smoothies like this Orange Smoothie!
- Add to brunch spreads or holiday breakfasts, such as Christmas, with a full spread of bacon and eggs.
- Enjoy as the ultimate afternoon snack.
- Serve with butter, jams or marmalades (like this Cherry Orange Jam), or even this homemade clotted cream.
- Although the purists would hate me for saying this, they also make a great dessert with ice cream and cherry sauce!
Quick Tips for Best Results
- Keep the butter cold for the flakiest scones.
- Do not overmix the dough to maintain a tender texture.
- If the dough feels dry, add a little more cream just until it comes together.
- Add as much or as little of the glaze as you’d like. You can drizzle just a little on top or a lot! The scones are also delicious plain.
- I made these scones into triangles, but you can make them into any shape and even make mini scones. Adjust the baking time as needed.
- For more of a Panera copycat version of their Orange Scones, you can skip the cherries and add more orange for a stronger orange flavor.
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 in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Can I freeze the scones?
Yes, scones freeze well. Freeze unglazed scones, then thaw and glaze before serving.
How long will the scones last?
They will stay fresh for about 2 days at room temperature or up to 5 days refrigerated when stored properly.
Substitutions?
You can substitute dried or fresh cranberries, raisins, craisins, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, currants, or other dried fruit for the cherries. Instead of orange, you could use your favorite citrus, such as lemon, lime, or even grapefruit.
Can I use low-fat ingredients?
Heavy cream is recommended for the best texture. Low-fat substitutes may affect tenderness.
What else can I add to this recipe?
Try adding a pinch of your favorite spice or flavoring (such as cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, or chai) or your favorite extract (like almond, maple, or vanilla extract) for extra flavor. You could also add your favorite baking chips (such as dark chocolate chips or white chocolate chips), nuts (almonds, walnuts, or pecans), or even poppy seeds for a little crunch.
Can I make this vegan/vegetarian/low carb/gluten-free?
Here are some suggestions, but I can’t guarantee results. Be sure as always to check particular brands and ingredients if you’re following a specific diet or have diet restrictions or allergies.
Vegan – This would be a tough one to make vegan, but you can try using vegan ingredients, including plant-based butter and cream alternatives.
Vegetarian – It’s vegetarian. Be sure to check individual brands/products just to be sure though.
Low-Carb – This recipe is not low carb. You can try a sugar substitute to reduce carbs.
Gluten-Free – You can try a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend, but results may vary.
Other Brunch Recipes You May Enjoy
- Mini Scones with Walnuts – A little treat packed with walnuts!
- Mini Chocolate Chocolate Chip Muffins – Decadent chocolate muffins for chocolate lovers.
- Cinnamon Muffins – Easy homemade muffins with lots of cinnamon!
Hope you enjoy this simple gourmet Orange Cherry Scones recipe. If you bake these scones, let me know what you served with them.
If you like these Orange Cherry Scones, you may also like these Cranberry Orange Muffins!
Orange Cherry Scones
Ingredients
Scones:
- Butter for greasing the pan (optional)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour plus more to flour 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
- ¾ cup dried cherries chopped
- 1 1/8 cup heavy cream divided (1/8 cup = 2 Tablespoons)
Glaze:
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400˚F. Grease a baking sheet or line with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mix together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and orange zest.
- Using a pastry cutter, cut in the butter until the flour mixture is coarse pea-size crumbs. Stir in the dried cherries.
- Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Pour 1 cup of cream into the middle and stir until just combined.
- Divide the dough in half. Place each half on a lightly floured surface and form each half into a circle about 1¼ inch thick. Cut each circle in half, and then in half again, forming 8 triangles between the two rounds.
- Place the scones on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the tops of the scones with the remaining 2 tablespoons cream. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown around edges. Cool slightly.
- Make the glaze. Whisk together the powdered sugar and orange juice until thin and smooth. Brush over the scones.
Notes
- If your dough seems too dry, add a little more cream until the dough just comes together.
- Instead of dried cherries, you can substitute other dried fruit such as raisins or cranberries.
Nutrition:
(Nutrition data is provided when available for informational purposes only and calculated using an online nutritional calculator. For the most accurate information please calculate based on specific ingredients and brands you use as well as any changes you made to the recipe. I am not a certified nutritionist or registered dietician and any nutritional information provided should only be used as a general guideline and estimate.)
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