Christmas Cranberry Scones: 5 Steps to Perfect Festivity Recipe

Introduction

These Christmas Cranberry Scones bring festive cheer to your breakfast table with their tender crumb and tart bursts of fresh cranberries. Perfectly sweet and lightly spiced, they are easy to make and ideal for sharing during holiday gatherings.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 1 cup fresh cranberries, chopped
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
3. Step 3: Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients and mix until the mixture becomes crumbly.
4. Step 4: Gently fold in the chopped cranberries.
5. Step 5: In a separate bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, egg, and vanilla extract.
6. Step 6: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix just until combined—do not overmix.
7. Step 7: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead it gently a few times until it comes together.
8. Step 8: Shape the dough into a circle about 1-inch thick, then cut it into 8 wedges.
9. Step 9: Place the wedges on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing them slightly apart.
10. Step 10: Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the scones are golden brown.
11. Step 11: Allow the scones to cool slightly before serving.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, add a teaspoon of orange zest to the dry ingredients to complement the cranberries.
• Use frozen cranberries if fresh are unavailable, but toss them in flour first to prevent sinking.
• Brush the scones with a little heavy cream before baking for a glossy finish.
• Serve warm with butter, honey, or clotted cream for a perfect holiday treat.

Storage

Store leftover scones in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, freeze the scones wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil for up to 1 month. Reheat frozen scones in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10-15 minutes until warm.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use dried cranberries instead of fresh?

Yes, you can substitute dried cranberries. Use about 3/4 cup and consider reducing the sugar slightly, as dried cranberries are sweeter than fresh ones.

How do I keep the scones tender and flaky?

Use cold butter and avoid overmixing the dough. Gentle kneading and mixing just until combined help create a tender texture.

Christmas Cranberry Scones: 5 Steps to Perfect Festivity Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 795 reviews

These Christmas Cranberry Scones are a delightful festive treat, featuring tender, buttery scones studded with fresh cranberries and lightly sweetened with sugar. Perfect for holiday breakfasts or afternoon tea, these scones are quick to prepare and bake to golden perfection in just 20 minutes.

• Author: luca
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 8 scones 1x
• Category: Baking
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dry Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 1 cup fresh cranberries, chopped
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for baking the scones evenly and developing a golden crust.
2. Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt, mixing well to distribute the leavening and seasoning uniformly.
3. Add butter: Incorporate the cold, cubed unsalted butter into the dry ingredients. Use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to blend until the mixture becomes crumbly with pea-sized butter pieces remaining.
4. Fold in cranberries: Gently stir in the chopped fresh cranberries, ensuring they are evenly distributed without breaking them too much.
5. Prepare wet mixture: In a separate bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, large egg, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined.
6. Combine wet and dry: Pour the wet ingredients onto the dry mixture and stir until just combined, taking care not to overmix which can make the scones tough.
7. Knead dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently a few times to bring it together into a cohesive dough.
8. Shape and cut: Shape the dough into a circle about 1-inch thick, then cut into 8 equal wedges or scones using a sharp knife or bench scraper.
9. Bake scones: Place the wedges onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spaced slightly apart, and bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until the scones are puffed, golden brown, and cooked through.
10. Cool and serve: Remove from the oven and let the scones cool on the baking sheet for several minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature, perfect with butter or clotted cream.

Notes

• Using cold butter is crucial for flaky scones as it creates steam pockets when baking.
• Chopping cranberries prevents them from weighing down the dough but still provides bursts of tart flavor.
• Do not overmix the dough to keep the scones tender.
• For a sweeter finish, brush the tops with a milk glaze and sprinkle sugar before baking.
• Scones are best enjoyed the day they are made though they can be stored in an airtight container for 2 days or frozen for longer storage.

Keywords: Christmas scones, cranberry scones, holiday baking, festive scones, breakfast scones, cranberry recipes