Skillet Cranberry Orange Scones – Perfect Holiday Treat

Cranberry Orange Scones are the perfect harmony of tart, sweet, and buttery goodness. If you’ve never tried baking scones in a skillet, you’re in for a treat! With the holidays just around the corner, this recipe is a must-have in your kitchen arsenal. These scones come together quickly, freeze beautifully, and can be baked up fresh whenever you need them. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a delightful afternoon snack, these scones will have you reaching for seconds—and maybe even thirds!

The Best Skillet Cranberry Orange Scones

There’s nothing quite like the warm, comforting aroma of freshly baked scones filling the house. These Cranberry Orange Scones bring a citrusy brightness to your breakfast table, balanced by the sweet-tart flavor of cranberries. The real magic happens when you bake them in a cast iron skillet, creating crispy edges while keeping the center tender and soft.

Notes on Ingredients

• Frozen Butter: Using frozen butter ensures flaky layers in the scones.
• Orange Zest: Fresh orange zest is key to bringing out the vibrant citrus flavor.
• Buttermilk & Sour Cream: The tanginess of both ingredients adds richness and softness to the dough.
• Cranberries: Fresh or frozen, cranberries give the scones a burst of tartness.
• Orange Glaze: This sweet, citrusy glaze is the perfect finishing touch.

How to Make Skillet Cranberry Orange Scones

1. Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 415°F. Grate the frozen butter into a flour mixture and toss lightly to coat.
2. Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a small bowl, mix buttermilk, orange extract, sour cream, and egg.
3. Form the Dough: Create a well in the dry ingredients and pour in the wet mixture. Knead lightly on a floured surface and fold in the cranberries.
4. Shape & Bake: Form the dough into a circle, cut into 8 wedges, and place in your skillet. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.
5. Glaze: While the scones bake, mix powdered sugar and orange juice to create the glaze. Drizzle it over the warm scones.

How to Serve Skillet Cranberry Orange Scones

Serve these scones warm, straight from the skillet, with a generous drizzle of orange glaze. They pair beautifully with a hot cup of coffee or tea. For a special brunch, serve alongside fruit preserves or clotted cream.

How to Store Skillet Cranberry Orange Scones

Scones are best enjoyed fresh, but they store well! Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To freeze, place unbaked scones on a cookie sheet, freeze, and store in a freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the bake time.

FAQs About Skillet Cranberry Orange Scones

The Best Skillet Cranberry Orange Scones

Enjoy the rich, buttery flavors of these Cranberry Orange Scones baked in a skillet! Perfectly balanced with tart cranberries and a fresh burst of orange zest, these scones are drizzled with a sweet orange glaze. Easy to prepare, freeze, and bake on demand, they’re a perfect addition to any holiday brunch or cozy breakfast.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Course Breakfast

Cuisine American

Servings 8 scones

Ingredients

  

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tbsp orange zest
• 1/2 cup butter frozen
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1 tsp orange extract
• 1/2 cup sour cream full fat works best
• 1 egg
• 1 1/2 cup fresh or frozen cranberries

Orange Glaze

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tbsp orange juice

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 415°
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, soda, salt and zest. Use a cheese grater to grate the frozen butter into the flour mixture. Mix gently with a fork to coat the butter with the flour mixture.
• In a separate small bowl mix the buttermilk, extract, sour cream and egg. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour buttermilk mixture in. Mix gently to incorporate.
• Knead dough on a floured surface, maximum 1o times. The idea is to knead very little to keep that butter cold. As best you can, fold in the cranberries with your hands. Pat the dough into a circle about 6 inches in diameter. Cut the dough into eight even wedges, but still keeping it in the circle shape. Place the scones into a well seasoned skillet (a circle of parchment on the bottom works well too). Bake for about 25-30 minutes, until dough is cooked and scones are golden.
• While scones are baking, mix the powdered sugar and orange juice into a smooth glaze. Once scones are baked, drizzle with orange glaze while they are still warm.

Notes

1. Don’t worry if you don’t have a skillet.  You can use a round cake pan, lightly sprayed with baking spray, or bake the scones on a cookie sheet lined with parchment.
2. Scones do very well in the freezer.  Roll a batch and freeze on a cookie sheet (before baking).  Simply bake from frozen, adding additional time as needed.
3. This recipe doubles nicely.  I usually make a double batch, baking one up and freezing the other for later.

Keyword Baking, Cranberry Orange, Holiday Treats