Cranberry Orange Scones

For years I was challenged when it came to making biscuits or scones then I found this recipe on Food52. These scones are absolutely delicious, no one and I mean no one makes scones like my friend Liz Larkin, the Scone Lady of Pound Ridge. I adapted her brilliant recipe for Royal Wedding Scones, using cranberry and orange rather than blueberries. These scone are light, fluffy, moist and delicious and were perfect with some homemade devon cream (because I can’t find it anywhere I made it) and some of the mixed citrus curd.   Some of these scones  are for my British (Welsh) friend David Prosser/Barsetshire Diaries, who never fails to entertain and amuse with his lovely blog posts every week. I hope you like scones David because I made some for you.

As long as I was making scones, for the Tea Room and for David, I thought it would be nice to bring some to Fiesta Friday as well. Angie is hosting party number 102 and her co hosts this week are Elaine @ foodbod and Julie @ Hostess at Heart, this will be a great party, join in, bring a dish and have fun!!

Cranberry Orange Scones

Adapted from a recipe by Liz Larkin, aka Mrs Larkin, aka the Scone Lady

1 1/2 cups frozen cranberries

1/3 cup packed brown sugar

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 tbs baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

6 tbs cold unsalted butter cut into tbs size pieces

1 large egg

1 cup cold heavy cream

zest of one small orange or tangerine

1 tsp vanilla extract

Add the cranberries and brown sugar to the food processer and pulse until some of the berries are broken up and mixed with the sugar. Remove and set aside, clean and dry the bowl of the processor.

Add the flour, salt and baking powder and pulse 2 or 3 times to combine. Add the butter and pulse until it resembles crumbs. Pour into a mixing bowl. In measuring cup add the cream, beat in the egg, vanilla and orange zest. Pour into the mixing bowl and stir to combine with a fork, the dough will be shaggy, don’t over mix it, it’s ok if it’s not cohesive. Add the cranberry sugar mixture and gently stir with a fork just to combine.

Prepare your work surface by scattering some flour and dump the dough onto it. Bring it together gently with your hands lightly patting it into a circle. Cut into 6-8 slices depending on how large you like your scones. Line a sheet pan with parchment and put the scones on about an inch apart. Place in the freezer and keep them there at least an hour you want the scones to be completely frozen. When they are frozen,  you can either bake all or some. Store in ziplock bags separated by parchment until ready to bake.

To Bake: 

Pre heat oven to 425 Degree’s. Remove the scones from the freezer and place on parchment lined baking sheet. Brush with cream and sprinkle sugar on them. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown. Enjoy with butter, cream, jam or curd and a nice cup of tea.

To make the Devon Cream I simply combined, cream cheese, sour cream or creme fraiche and heavy cream until it’s soft and spreadable.

So good!!