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Cranberry Orange Sourdough Scones

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A little crunch on the outside, tender and light on the inside, sourdough discard scones are such a treat! Make ahead and freeze for later, these cranberry orange sourdough scones go from freezer to oven for ultimate easy. This recipe is vegetarian and easily dairy free. | This post is brought to you by Bob’s Red Mill.

Sourdough Discard Recipe for Cranberry Orange Scones setting on a plate showing the top of the scones.

Scones for Sharing

Scones are reminiscent of a type of food shared with friends over tea or coffee, a lengthy conversation solving the world’s problems or latest gossip. A treat in my book, but something I look forward to while savoring moments with friends and family.

Cranberry orange sourdough starter scones are simple to pull together but seem a little highbrow. Not quite as rustic as a biscuit, yet a pastry somewhere in between casual and fancy. After-all, scones are often served at high-tea!

These cranberry orange scones have a craggy, sugar sprinkled top which offers crunch, and a light, buttery interior. The wow factor comes from the sourdough discard incorporated into the dough. It makes these scones so flavorful and extends their storage life a bit.

If you’re not using sourdough discard in baked goods, it’s time to give it a go! Making sourdough discard recipes is a practical way to use discard tucked away in the back of the refrigerator. I use it in biscuits, muffins, pancakes and more!

Related: Need a sourdough starter for discard? I’ve a handy DIY Sourdough Starter recipe right here on the blog!

1. Orange zest on a cutting board with a zester and knife. 2. Grating butter into a mixing bowl. 3. Grated butter in a mixing bowl with dry ingredients. 4. Bag of Bobs Red Mill All Purpose Flour.

Ingredients Make All the Difference

Choosing high quality ingredients is important for flavor and health. It’s a reflection of the love and attention that goes into each recipe I create for my family, friends and the Vanilla And Bean community. I use Bob’s Red Mill Organic Unbleached All Purpose Flour in this and many of my baked goods recipes. It’s a high quality flour that produces consist results every time.

You’ll find Bob’s Red Mill All Purpose Flour in my Sweet Potato Cornbread Pot Pie, pastry for pies like my Bourbon Pecan Pie, easy Cinnamon Apple Crisp Bars tasty Sourdough Biscuits, absolutely fabulous Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookies and so much more! It’s perfect for everyday and something you’ll always find in my pantry.

1. Hand holding butter flour mixture. 2. Dried cranberries in a large bowl of butter and flour mixture. 3. A jar with eggs and milk about to be mixed. 4. Wet ingredients added to dry ingredients in a large bowl.

Ingredients for Cranberry Orange Sourdough Scones

With a few pantry staples, this sourdough scone recipe can be whipped up in no time. Make them dairy full or dairy free! Here’s what you’ll need to make these flavorful cranberry orange scones (see recipe card below for full recipe):

  • All Purpose Flour – I use Bob’s Redmill Organic Unbleached All Purpose Flour
  • Baking Powder and Salt
  • Corn Starch – for a little more crispy exterior
  • Cane Sugar
  • Cold Unsalted Butter or Plant Butter
  • Eggs – for structure, lift and a tender interior plus egg wash
  • Sourdough Starter Discard – 100% hydration stirred down
  • Heavy Cream or Full Fat Coconut Milk – stirred down
  • Vanilla Extract
  • Orange Juice and Zest – about two large oranges, or three small.
  • Sweetened Dried Cranberries – look for dried cranberries in the bulk bins for best value
  • Turbinado Sugar – for sprinkling on top of the scones

PRO TIP: If your cranberries are seem dry, simply rehydrate them in some very hot water for about 10 minutes. Drain and pat dry before using them in the recipe.

1. Wet and dry ingredients mixed in a large bowl. 2. Dough is being folding in a large bowl. 3. Sourdough Scone dough on a marble table. 4. Sourdough Starter Scones on a marble table being rolled out with a rolling pin.

Quick Guide: How to Make Sourdough Discard Scones

Get out your largest mixing bowl, bench scraper and gather your ingredients. Make room in the freezer for a large sheet pan or two small ones – whatever will fit – and line the pan(s) with parchment paper. In summary, here’s how to make this delicious scone recipe (see recipe card below details):

  • First, whisk the sourdough discard, cream, egg, vanilla, orange zest and juice together.
  • Second, in large mixing bowl mix the flour, salt, sugar, baking powder and corn starch together.
  • Third, grate the cold butter into the dry ingredients using a cheese grater.
  • Fourth, make a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour in the sourdough starter/cream mixture. Gently mix until shaggy then fold the dough to build layers.
  • Fifth, knead a few times then roll or pat the dough out into a 3/4″ thick disk. Cut the dough into wedges.
  • PRO TIP: Next, freeze the scones for at least 30 minutes. This, in addition to a hot preheated oven, helps them rise higher.
  • Last, egg wash the tops of the scones, sprinkle with turbinado sugar then bake until lightly golden brown.

For overnight sourdough scones, simply keep the scones in the freezer and bake the next morning, ready when you are!

1. Sourdough scone dough cut into eight wedges. 2. Sourdough starter scones on a sheet pan lined parchment paper.

FAQs About Scones

Do scones have eggs in them?

It depends on the recipe. Some recipes do as eggs provide structure, lift and moisture to the scones. However some scone recipes do not call for eggs instead utilizing other ingredients to do the job.

Is a scone supposed to be moist or more on the dry side?

Scones are typically known for having a dryish interior. And again, it depends on the recipe and how the scones are baked. To achieve a dryer scone for this recipe, simply turn the oven off once the scones reach proper internal temperature and prop the oven door open. This allows the scones to dry out further.

What’s the best way to store scones?

If you plan on enjoying scones within a few days of baking, store them covered at room temperature. Otherwise freeze to preserve freshness. Thaw at room temperature and reheat when ready to share.

What’s the correct shape for a scone?

Scones can be cut into squares, rounds or triangles. Really, it depends on preference. Squares or triangles are the simplest to cut because it requires no re-rolling of the dough.

Can you freeze sourdough scones?

Yes! Scones freeze beautifully and can be frozen before or after baking.

When do you eat scones?

Scones can be enjoyed for breakfast, brunch or as a snack, really anytime! They’re especially delicious shared with friends and tea or coffee.

1. Sourdough Cranberry Orange Scones with a Bobs Red Mill Flour Bag . 2. Closeup of Sourdough Scones on a sheet pan.
Sourdough Discard Recipe for Cranberry Orange Scones setting on a plate showing the sides of the scone.

A Few Recipe Notes

  • Dairy Free Sourdough Discard Scones: Yes Please! Use dairy free butter (I tested this recipe with unsalted Earth Balance) and full fat coconut milk (from a can) instead of cream.
  • Need a Sourdough Starter? I have an easy to make Sourdough Starter for you.
  • Work quickly when mixing the butter with the flour. The butter should remain cold and pliable throughout the mixing process. If the butter starts getting melty, pop the whole bowl in the freezer (before adding any liquid) for about 10 minutes.
  • When mixing the dough, use a folding and pressing motion, scooping up bits of flour and butter from the bottom of the bowl and pressing the dough over and on top of itself. This helps build layers.

More Sourdough Starter Discard Recipes

For more recipes using Bob’s Red Mill Organic All Purpose Flour and other fabulous ingredients, head to their website. Also, for daily inspiration check out Bob’s Red Mill on Instagram.

Close up of cranberry orange sourdough starter scones on a sheet pan.
Print Recipe

the recipe

Cranberry Orange Sourdough Scones Recipe

Prep Time:20 minutes
Cook Time:25 minutes
Rest Time:30 minutes
Total Time:1 hour 15 minutes
Servings:8 Scones
Calories:415kcal
Author:Traci York | Vanilla And Bean
A little crunch on the outside, tender and flaky on the inside, sourdough discard scones are such a treat! Make ahead and freeze for later, these scones go from freezer to oven for ultimate easy. Studded with dried sweet cranberries and scented with orange and vanilla, this recipe is simple to make and fabulous for sharing.
*See recipe notes to make this recipe dairy free.

Ingredients

Wet Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup (140 grams) Sourdough Discard 100% hydration stirred down
  • 1/4 cup (55 grams) Heavy Whipping Cream
  • 2 Large Eggs one for the scones, the other for egg wash
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
  • 1 tablespoon Orange Zest from about 2 large or three small oranges
  • 2 tablespoons Orange Juice fresh squeezed

Dry Ingredients

  • 1 3/4 cup + 2 tablespoons (270 grams) Unbleached All Purpose Flour I use Bob's Red Mill
  • 1 tablespoon Corn Starch
  • 1/4 cup (50 grams) Cane Sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon Fine Sea Salt
  • 1/2 cup (114 grams) Unsalted Butter refrigerated
  • 3/4 cup (100 grams) Sweetened Dried Cranberries**

For Finishing

Instructions

  • Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper and make room in the freezer for the pan. You can use two small pans if needed. Set aside.

Mix the Wet Ingredients

  • In a large spouted measuring cup, whisk the discard, cream, one egg, vanilla, orange zest and juice until smooth. Set aside.

Mix the Dry Ingredients

  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk the flour, corn starch, sugar, baking powder and salt.

Mix the Scones

  • To the flour mixture, grate in the cold butter (just from the fridge) using the largest holes on a grater. Toss the butter with the flour just to coat the butter. To the butter and flour mixture, add the cranberries and toss until evenly distributed.
    The butter should remain cold and pliable throughout the mixing process. If the butter starts getting melty, pop the whole bowl in the freezer (before adding any liquid) for about 10 minutes.
  • Working quickly, make a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour in the wet ingredients. Use a silicone spatula to gently stir the mixture until the flour is just moistened. There still should be some dry patches of flour.
    Use your hand to scoop the dough up and fold it over on top of itself. Do this 10-12 times (this helps build layers). The dough will be a shaggy mess.
  • Transfer the dough to a floured work surface and knead/press the dough together to form a disk. Work gently, but quickly as the dough needs to stay cold.
    Roll the dough out to 3/4 – 1 inch (1.9 -2.54 cm) thick disk (7 1/2 – 8 inches wide / 19-20cm) and cut into eight wedges using a knife in one quick motion down. No sawing here.
  • Arrange the scones evenly apart on the parchment lined sheet pan(s), and place in the freezer for 30 minutes.
    Make Ahead: At this point, scones may be frozen solid for a quick bake in the morning or for longer storage. If freezing for next day or longer be sure to store frozen scones in a container or freezer bag.

Bake the Scones

  • Arrange an oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 425 Fahrenheit (218 Celsius).
    Just before baking, crack the remaining egg in a small bowl and whisk with a tablespoon of water. Use a pastry brush to lightly brush the top of the scones with the egg wash then sprinkle with turbinado sugar.
  • Bake the scones at 425 Fahrenheight for five minutes, then turn the oven down to 375 Fahrenheight (190 Celsius) and continue baking for 15-20 minutes more. The internal temperature will be between 200-205 Fahrenheight when done (93-96 Celsius).
    Cool slightly, then share warm simply or with orange marmalade or clotted cream.
    Tip: For a dryer scone, turn the oven off, leave the scones in the oven, and prop the oven door open for about 10 minutes.

Store the Scones

  • Store covered at room temperature for up to two days.
    To Freeze Before Baking: Freeze scones individually on a sheet pan, then transfer to a freezer bag or storage container for up to two weeks. Frozen scones can go straight from freezer to oven baking a few minutes longer if needed.
    To Freeze After Baking: Allow scones to cool completely before freezing. Freeze scones individually on a sheet pan, then transfer to a freezer bag or storage container for up to two weeks.
    To Rewarm: Thaw at room temperature, then rewarm scones in a 350 Fahrenheight oven for about 10-15 minutes.

Notes

*To Make This Recipe Dairy Free: The images taken in this blog post were from scones made with dairy butter. Dairy free butter scones will be a little less golden. 
  • Substitute Earth Balance Unsalted Butter for dairy butter.
  • Substitute full fat coconut milk (from a can stirred down) for the whipping cream. 
**PRO TIP: If your cranberries seem dry, simply rehydrate them in some very hot water for about 10 minutes. Drain and pat dry before using them in the recipe.
This recipe is adapted from my Blood Orange Chocolate Chunk Scone recipe. 

Nutrition is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate. If this information is important to you, please have it verified independently.

Serving: 1scone | Calories: 415kcal | Carbohydrates: 62g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 61mg | Sodium: 160mg | Potassium: 167mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 506IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 55mg | Iron: 3mg
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