Zesty Blood Orange Scones Recipe: Sweet Citrus Morning Joy

Bright citrus notes dance through these delightful blood orange scones, promising a burst of sunshine on your plate.

The zesty blood orange recipe brings a vibrant twist to classic morning pastries.

Tender, flaky layers melt in your mouth with each delectable bite.

Soft, buttery dough intertwines with the unique tangy sweetness of fresh blood oranges.

These scones offer a sophisticated breakfast treat that feels both elegant and comforting.

Perfectly golden and kissed with a delicate glaze, they’re sure to elevate your morning routine.

You’ll fall in love with this simple yet extraordinary morning indulgence.

FAQs

• What makes blood orange different from regular oranges?

Blood oranges have a distinctive deep red or maroon interior and a unique berry-like flavor that’s less acidic and more complex compared to regular oranges, with subtle raspberry-like undertones.

• Can I use regular oranges instead of blood oranges?

Yes, you can substitute regular oranges, but the scones will lose the unique color and distinctive flavor profile that blood oranges provide. The taste will be more traditional and less nuanced.

• How do I know if my scones are properly mixed?

Stop mixing when the dough just comes together and looks slightly shaggy. Overmixing will develop gluten and make the scones tough instead of tender and flaky. The dough should have visible butter pieces.

Why Blood Orange Scones Stand Out

• Elevate Breakfast Brilliance: Transform your morning routine with these stunning blood orange scones that bring a burst of citrusy sophistication to your plate.
• Quick Kitchen Magic: Whip up these delightful pastries in mere minutes, making them perfect for spontaneous baking adventures or unexpected guest surprises.
• Crowd-Pleasing Charm: These scones offer a delectable balance of sweet and tangy flavors that appeal to both kids and adults, making them a versatile treat for family gatherings or brunch parties.
• Seasonal Showstopper: Capitalize on the unique blood orange season by creating a recipe that celebrates the fruit's vibrant color and distinctive taste, turning an ordinary baking session into a culinary celebration.

Blood Orange Scones Ingredient List

• All-Purpose Flour: A key base that provides structure and texture to the scones.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with browning.
• Baking Powder: Essential leavening agent that helps the scones rise and become light.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the scones.

• Heavy Cream: Creates rich moisture and contributes to the tender crumb of the scones.
• Egg: Binds the ingredients and adds richness to the texture.
• Blood Orange Zest: Provides bright, intense citrus flavor and aromatic notes.
• Blood Orange Juice: Adds fresh citrus flavor and moisture to the dough.

• Cold Butter: Ensures flaky layers and adds rich, creamy flavor to the scones.
• Powdered Sugar, Blood Orange Juice, Blood Orange Zest: Creates a sweet and tangy glaze that complements the scones' flavor.

Steps for Blood Orange Scones

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Get your oven ready by heating it to 400F (200C).

Grab a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

Step 2: Create Dry Ingredient Base

• All-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar
• Baking powder
• Salt

Blend these ingredients until they’re perfectly combined.

Step 3: Work in the Butter

Toss cold cubed butter into the dry mixture.

Use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to break down the butter.

You want the texture to look like rough breadcrumbs with tiny butter chunks scattered throughout.

Step 4: Prepare Wet Ingredient Mixture

• Heavy cream
• Egg
• Blood orange zest
• Blood orange juice

Blend until the ingredients are fully incorporated.

Step 5: Merge Ingredient Mixtures

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.

Gently stir with a fork or spatula until just combined.

The dough will feel slightly tacky and loose.

Step 6: Shape the Scone Dough

Dust a clean surface with flour.

Transfer the dough and gently pat or roll into a circular shape about 1-inch thick.

Using a sharp knife, slice the circle into 8 equal wedges.

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection

Arrange the scone wedges on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.

Slide into the preheated oven and bake for 15-18 minutes until edges turn a beautiful golden brown.

Step 8: Whip Up Citrusy Glaze

• Powdered sugar
• Blood orange juice
• Blood orange zest

Stir until smooth and glossy.

Step 9: Finish with Glaze

Drizzle the bright citrus glaze over the warm scones.

Serve immediately or at room temperature for a delightful treat.

Blood Orange Scones Helpful Tips

• Grate blood orange zest finely to maximize citrusy essence without bitter white pith, ensuring a bright, intense flavor in every bite.
• Work with cold butter and cut it quickly into flour to create flaky, tender scones with pockets of rich, buttery layers.
• Stir wet and dry ingredients minimally to prevent tough scones, stopping when dough just comes together for a light, delicate texture.
• Use a sharp knife or bench scraper to cut dough into clean, even wedges, allowing uniform baking and professional-looking results.
• Adjust glaze consistency by adding powdered sugar or blood orange juice gradually, creating a smooth, drizzle-perfect topping that complements the scones' delicate flavor.

Creative Scone Flavor Twists

• Lemon Lavender Scones: Replace blood orange zest and juice with fresh lemon zest and juice, adding dried lavender buds to the dry ingredients for a floral, citrusy variation.
• Vegan Coconut Scones: Substitute heavy cream with coconut cream, use vegan butter instead of regular butter, and replace the egg with a flax egg for a plant-based alternative.
• Gluten-Free Berry Scones: Use gluten-free all-purpose flour blend, swap blood orange with mixed berry puree, and add chopped fresh berries to the dough for extra texture and flavor.
• Chocolate Almond Scones: Incorporate cocoa powder into the dry ingredients, replace blood orange with almond extract, and sprinkle sliced almonds on top before baking for a rich, nutty version.

Best Ways to Serve Scones

• Citrus Breakfast Companion: Pair these zesty scones with a freshly brewed cup of earl grey tea for a delightful morning treat.
• Brunch Centerpiece: Arrange scones on a rustic wooden board with small dishes of honey, jam, and clotted cream for an elegant sharing experience.
• Dessert Transformation: Crumble cooled scones over vanilla bean ice cream or yogurt for a quick and delicious dessert with a tangy twist.
• Afternoon Pick-Me-Up: Pack scones in a cute container for a bright midday snack at work or during outdoor picnics, adding a touch of sunshine to your day.

Blood Orange Scones Storage Guide

• Store cooled scones in an airtight container lined with paper towels to absorb moisture. Keeps fresh for 2-3 days at room temperature.
• Wrap individual scones tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze up to 3 months for best quality. Thaw at room temperature for 1-2 hours before serving.
• Place a piece of parchment paper between scones to prevent sticking and maintain their delicate texture when storing.
• Warm slightly in the oven at 300F for 3-5 minutes to restore original fresh-baked crispness and softness when serving after storage.

Blood Orange Scones Recipe

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4.5 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Zesty blood orange scones deliver a Mediterranean sunshine burst of citrusy flavor perfect for breakfast or afternoon tea. Fresh orange zest and juicy blood orange segments create a delightful pastry you’ll savor with pure culinary pleasure.

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Ingredients

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Dry Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients:

• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup blood orange juice
• 2 tablespoons blood orange zest

Fat and Cold Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed

Glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2–3 tablespoons blood orange juice
• 1 teaspoon blood orange zest

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Instructions

1. Prepare the workspace by heating the oven to 400F (200C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper for optimal scone baking.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt, creating a uniform dry mixture.
3. Incorporate cold cubed butter into the dry ingredients, using a pastry cutter or fingertips to break down the butter until the mixture resembles coarse, uneven crumbs.
4. Whisk together heavy cream, egg, blood orange zest, and juice in a separate bowl, ensuring thorough blending of wet ingredients.
5. Gently fold the wet mixture into the dry ingredients, stirring minimally to create a slightly sticky dough that just comes together.
6. Transfer the dough to a floured surface, carefully shaping it into a 1-inch thick circular form using gentle pressing or rolling motions.
7. Divide the circular dough into 8 precise wedges using a sharp knife or bench scraper, ensuring even portioning.
8. Arrange the scone wedges on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them approximately 2 inches apart to allow for proper expansion during baking.
9. Bake for 15-18 minutes, watching for golden-brown edges as an indicator of doneness, then remove from the oven and allow minimal cooling on the baking sheet.
10. Craft the glaze by whisking powdered sugar with blood orange juice and zest, adjusting liquid to achieve a smooth, drizzleable consistency.
11. Finish by generously drizzling the citrusy glaze over the warm scones, creating an appetizing and flavorful topping.

Notes

• Choose ripe, deeply colored blood oranges for maximum flavor intensity and vibrant citrus notes.
• Ensure butter is extremely cold and cut into small cubes to create flaky, tender scone texture.
• Minimal mixing prevents tough scones; stop stirring as soon as ingredients are just combined.
• Adjust glaze consistency by adding powdered sugar or juice to achieve perfect drizzling thickness.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: British

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 12g
• Sodium: 150mg
• Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 35g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 3g
• Cholesterol: 30mg