Perfectly Easy Glazed Orange Scones

Guaranteed to be your new favorite breakfast, these easy and delicious glazed orange scones are perfectly light and flaky, infused with lots of fresh orange zest and topped with a buttery orange maple glaze. Ideal for breakfast or an afternoon snack, these scones are best enjoyed warm, accompanied by a cup of tea or coffee.

orange scones cut into a triangle shape and drizzled with an orange glaze

Years ago, I visited Panera on my birthday. I think it was my 15th birthday, but I can’t be sure. All I really remember was getting my choice of a free dessert, and how much I loved what I chose. Funny, right? Although a soft and chewy cookie or super fudgy brownie would be some of my usual top contenders, my eyes landed on something else.

A glazed orange scone. And, well, the rest is history.

If you have never had the pleasure in indulging in one of Panera’s orange scones, have no fear. Because dare I say these are even better?

They are. And just like my cheddar and herb scones, they are ridiculously easy to make! Let’s get to it.

Why You’ll Love These Scones

  • Light and flaky: This scone recipe boasts a soft, flaky interior with sweet and crumbly edges. AKA the perfect scone.
  • Delicious: The additions of orange zest and freshly squeezed orange juice in the glaze give these scones a delicious, bright flavor you will love!
  • Quick and easy: This recipe can be made in one bowl and bakes up in about 20 minutes, making it a great go to breakfast or snack. The scone dough can also be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days for use at a later time.
Ingredients used in orange scones

Key Ingredients You’ll Need

  • Flour: I use unbleached organic all purpose flour.
  • Butter: Salted or unsalted butter works just fine. Just make sure it is really cold to ensure ultimate flakiness.
  • Sugar: This recipe calls for white granulated sugar.
  • Heavy Cream: I highly recommend using cream in this recipe. If you don’t have any on hand, whole milk works as a good substitute.
  • Orange Zest: Fresh orange zest is the key to these super flavorful scones.

Step by Step Instructions

  1. Begin by using a microplane grater to grate 1 tsp of orange zest. In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup sugar and the orange zest together, gently working together with a spoon or your hands until combined. Set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, orange sugar, baking powder, and salt. Using a box grater, grate in the cold butter. Begin working the butter into the dry ingredients using a pastry cutter, two forks, or your fingers until the mixture comes together in pea-sized crumbs.
  3. In another small bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, egg, and vanilla extract together. Slowly pour this over the dry ingredients, then mix together until everything appears moistened, being careful not to overmix.
  4. Turn the scone dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Using your hands, work dough into a ball as best you can. Dough will be sticky. If it’s too sticky, add a little more flour. If it seems too dry, add 1-2 more Tablespoons heavy cream until it comes together. Press into an 8-inch disc and, with a sharp knife or bench scraper, cut into 6 wedges.
  5. Brush scones with remaining heavy cream and sprinkle with coarse sugar (this is optional, but makes them extra pretty!) Pop the scones in the fridge while the oven comes up to temp.
  6. Preheat oven to 400°F.
  7. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone baking mat. Arrange scones 2-3 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet(s).
  8. Bake for 18-22 minutes or until golden brown around the edges and lightly browned on top. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a few minutes as you make the glaze.

How to Make Orange Maple Glaze

  1. Make the glaze: In a small bowl, whisk the powdered sugar, melted butter, maple syrup, vanilla extract, orange zest and orange juice together. Add a little more powdered sugar to thicken or more juice to thin. Drizzle over scones, topping with an extra sprinkle of orange zest, if preferred.
Soft and flaky orange scones drizzled with an orange glaze

Tips for Successful Scones

  • Refrigerate before baking. For best results, keep the scone dough as cold as possible. To avoid over-spreading, I recommend chilling the scones for at least 10 minutes in the refrigerator before baking. I usually do this while I am waiting for my oven to come up to temp! You can even refrigerate the dough overnight and for up to three days for a quick breakfast in the morning.
  • Use cold butter. Using cold cubed butter ensures the scones will have that flaky texture we all love! I highly recommend you use frozen butter that has been grated, as it is the real key to success here. Make sure to work the cold butter into the dry ingredients to create crumbs. The butter/flour crumbs melt as the scones bake, releasing steam and creating air pockets. These pockets create a flaky center while keeping the edges crumbly and crisp.
  • If you don’t want to work the cold butter into the dry ingredients by hand, you could definitely use a food processor to assist you with this step. Make sure lightly pulse the dough just until it resembles coarse crumbs- you don’t want to overmix!
  • If you prefer smaller scones, you can always cut the scone dough into 8 equal pieces, rather than six.

FAQs and Storage

Can I freeze scones?

Yes. I recommend baking them, letting them cool, and then storing in the freezer in an airtight container. They will store well for up to 3 months for an easy breakfast! Just pop them into the oven to reheat. 

What is the best way to store scones?

Leftover scones keep well at room temperature for 2 days or in the refrigerator for 5 days.

What do you serve with scones?

Scones can be enjoyed by themselves as an afternoon snack, or alongside a hot cup of coffee or tea for breakfast. They pair well with yummy toppings like jam, butter, and even whipped cream! Serve alongside a serving of fresh fruit for a yummy and filling breakfast.

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Yield: 6 scones

Glazed Orange Scones

Soft and flaky orange scones drizzled with an orange glaze

Guaranteed to be your new favorite breakfast, these easy and delicious glazed orange scones are perfectly light and flaky, infused with lots of fresh orange zest and topped with a buttery orange maple glaze. Ideal for breakfast or an afternoon snack, these scones are best enjoyed warm, accompanied by a cup of tea or coffee.

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes

Ingredients

Scones

  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 stick cold butter, grated
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp grated orange zest
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 2/3 cup heavy cream

Orange Maple Glaze

  • 1 3/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 3 tbsp freshly squeezed orange juice
  • 1 tsp orange zest
  • 1/3 cup maple syrup
  • 6 tbsp butter, melted
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Begin by using a microplane grater to grate 1 tsp of orange zest. In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup sugar and the orange zest together, gently working together with a spoon or your hands until combined. Set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, orange sugar, baking powder, and salt. Using a box grater, grate in the cold butter. Begin working the butter into the dry ingredients using a pastry cutter, two forks, or your fingers until the mixture comes together in pea-sized crumbs.
  3. In another small bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, egg, and vanilla extract together. Slowly pour this over the dry ingredients, then mix together until everything appears moistened, being careful not to overmix.
  4. Turn the scone dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Using your hands, work dough into a ball as best you can. Dough will be sticky. If it’s too sticky, add a little more flour. If it seems too dry, add 1-2 more Tablespoons heavy cream until it comes together. Press into an 8-inch disc and, with a sharp knife or bench scraper, cut into 6 wedges.

Brush scones with remaining heavy cream and sprinkle with coarse sugar (this is optional, but makes them extra pretty!) Pop the scones in the fridge while the oven comes up to temp. Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone baking mat. Arrange scones 2-3 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet(s).

Bake for 18-22 minutes or until golden brown around the edges and lightly browned on top. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a few minutes as you make the glaze.

Make the glaze: In a small bowl, whisk the powdered sugar, melted butter, maple syrup, vanilla extract, orange zest and orange juice together. Add a little more powdered sugar to thicken or more juice to thin. Drizzle over scones, topping with an extra sprinkle of orange zest, if preferred.

Notes

  • Refrigerate before baking. For best results, keep the scone dough as cold as possible. To avoid over-spreading, I recommend chilling the scones for at least 10 minutes in the refrigerator before baking. I usually do this while I am waiting for my oven to come up to temp! You can even refrigerate the dough overnight and for up to three days for a quick breakfast in the morning.
  • Use cold butter. Using cold cubed butter ensures the scones will have that flaky texture we all love! I highly recommend you use frozen butter that has been grated, as it is the real key to success here. Make sure to work the cold butter into the dry ingredients to create crumbs. The butter/flour crumbs melt as the scones bake, releasing steam and creating air pockets. These pockets create a flaky center while keeping the edges crumbly and crisp.
  • If you don’t want to work the cold butter into the dry ingredients by hand, you could definitely use a food processor to assist you with this step. Make sure lightly pulse the dough just until it resembles coarse crumbs- you don’t want to overmix!
  • If you prefer smaller scones, you can always cut the scone dough into 8 equal pieces, rather than six.
  • Did you make this recipe?

    Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

    If you loved this orange scone recipe, make sure to come back and leave a comment and a 5 star rating! Tag me on Instagram with your creations @ourhandcraftedhomeblog.

    rachael

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