Glazed Orange Scones – Sweet and soft bakery-style scones topped with a fresh orange glaze. The perfect addition to any breakfast or brunch!
Scones are one of my favorite breakfast recipes. They’re soft, sweet and the perfect morning treat. These fresh orange scones are a top pick, as well as Irish scones and pumpkin scones.
Fresh orange scones
Scones have to be one of my family’s favorites to pick up when we visit our local bakery. There’s just something about them that makes me happy. They must have glaze on top though…that’s the best part after all! :)
These orange scones have the perfect texture and a bright orange flavor. The orange juice and zest give them a delicious fresh taste and the powdered sugar glaze adds just the right amount of sweetness. They remind me of the famous orange scones from Panera.
Mmm…that glaze is seriously heavenly. I love orange anything, though. You could even add some creamy orange butter on top. I can’t wait to make them again!
How to make orange scones
Scroll down for the printable orange scone recipe.
Scones:
Combine ingredients. In a small bowl, whisk together half and half, vanilla, egg yolk and orange juice and set aside. In a separate large bowl, whisk together the flour, 1/4 cup sugar, baking powder, salt and orange zest.
Make dough mixture. Using a pastry cutter or 2 forks, cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles course crumbs. Slowly add in the half and half mixture and stir just until combined. Press the dough in between two pieces of saran wrap and then place in the refrigerator to chill, about 10 minutes.
Roll out the dough and cut. Dust the counter with flour and then roll the dough into a 10-inch circle. Sprinkle the top with the remaining 1 Tablespoon sugar. Cut the circle into 8 wedges using a pizza cutter. If you’d like smaller scones, cut the triangles in half.
Bake. Add scones to a greased baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 13 to 15 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. Then place on a cooling rack to cool.
Glaze:
To make the orange glaze for scones, melt the butter in a small bowl. Slowly stir in the powdered sugar, orange juice and half and half. Add another Tablespoon of juice if needed. The glaze should be thick, yet pourable. Drizzle on top of cooled scones.
Tips for zesting an orange
Zesting an orange can sometimes seem intimidating, but it really is super easy! I definitely recommend using a zester because it makes the process super quick and easy. Below is some helpful information to get you started!
How to zest an orange with a zester? If you have zester or are thinking about buying one, check out this helpful tutorial. It applies to zesting all citrus fruits, like lemons and limes as well.
How do you zest an orange without a zester? No zester? No problem! Use a kitchen knife or vegetable peeler instead!
How much is the zest of one orange? When zesting a whole orange, you should end up with somewhere between 2 to 3 Tablespoons of zest. You’ll need the zest of one whole orange for this orange scone recipe, but remember to set aside 1 teaspoon of zest for the glaze!
Storage tips
- Room temperature: Keep in an airtight container or bag for 1-2 days.
- Refrigerator: Keep in an airtight container or bag in the fridge for 3 to 5 days.
- Freezer: Wrap scones in plastic wrap and add to a freezer bag or container. Store in freezer for up to 1 month. Let thaw before enjoying.
More baked breakfast favorites:
- Orange Sweet Rolls
- Glazed Orange Muffins
- Homemade Biscuits
- One-Hour Cinnamon Rolls
- Breakfast Muffins
- Morning Glory Muffins
- Banana Bread
Orange Scone Recipe
Ingredients
Scone:
- 3/4 cup half and half , cold
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 egg yolk , whisked
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 5 Tablespoons granulated sugar , divided
- 5 teaspoons baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter , cold and cut into 1/4-inch pieces
- 2 Tablespoons orange juice
- Zest from 1 orange , reserve 1 teaspoon for glaze
Glaze:
- 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 2 Tablespoons orange juice , can use more if needed
- 1 Tablespoon half and half
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and lightly grease a baking sheet.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the half and half, vanilla, egg yolk and orange juice. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, 1/4 cup sugar, baking powder, salt and orange zest. Using a pastry cutter or 2 forks, cut in the butter until the flour mixture resembles course crumbs. Slowly stir in the half and half mixture and stir just until combined. Press the dough in between two pieces of saran wrap and then place in the refrigerator for 10 minutes to chill.
- Dust the counter with flour and then roll the dough into a 10-inch circle. Sprinkle the top with the remaining 1 Tablespoon sugar.
- Cut the circle into 8 wedges using a pizza cutter. If you’d like smaller scones, cut the triangles in half. Then place on the baking sheet and bake for 13 to 15 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. Then place on a cooling rack to cool.
- For the glaze: Melt the butter in a small bowl. Slowly stir in the powdered sugar, orange juice and half and half. Add another Tablespoon of orange juice if need. The glaze should be thick, yet pourable. Drizzle on top of cooled scones.
Notes
- Use a zester to quickly zest your orange.
- If you don't have a zester, you can use a kitchen knife or vegetable peeler instead.
- Room temperature: Keep in an airtight container or bag for 1-2 days.
- Refrigerator: Keep in an airtight container or bag in the fridge for 3 to 5 days.
- Freezer: Wrap scones in plastic wrap and add to a freezer bag or container. Store in freezer for up to 1 month. Let thaw before enjoying.
Nutrition
ENJOY! :)
I have this same recipe. I got it out of an Irish Scone CookBook about 22 years ago. It is the best scone recipe that I have ever made. I do make the smaller scones and serve them at church or give them as a treat to neighbors.
I love treating myself to scones for breakfast, I bet these scones have the best flavor!
These were delicious and a hit with my family!
I’ve been eating these for three days in a row with my morning coffee. SO GOOD.
Made these for breakfast this morning and started my day off right! Paired perfectly with my morning cup of coffee too; delicious!
This orange scone recipe was delicious! I will definitely make it again.
I’m so glad you enjoyed them! Thanks for your comment and review. :)
Such a delicious recipe! Thank you!