A little crunch on the outside, tender and light on the inside, sourdough discard scones are such a treat! This scone recipe utilizes sourdough discard for fabulous flavor and tender texture. These sourdough scones go from freezer to oven for ultimate make ahead easy. This post is brought to you by Bob’s Red Mill.
Sourdough Discard Scones
Scones are reminiscent of food shared with friends over tea or coffee, a lengthy conversation solving the world’s problems or the latest gossip. A treat in my book, but something I look forward to while savoring moments with friends and family.
Just like these reader favorite Lemon Blueberry Sourdough Scones, these cranberry orange sourdough 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!
This Recipe Is
- sugar sprinkled crunchy top
- light and buttery interior
- make ahead ready
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!
Ingredients Make All the Difference
Choosing high quality ingredients is important for best flavor. 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 consistent results every time.
You’ll find Bob’s Red Mill All Purpose Flour in my easy Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookies tasty Sourdough Biscuits, plus much more! It’s perfect for every day and something you’ll always find in my pantry.
About the Key Ingredients
With a few pantry staples, this sourdough scone recipe can be whipped up in no time. Make them dairy full or dairy free!
- Cold Unsalted Butter – adds flavor and tenderizes the scones. For a vegan scone, use plant butter.
- Eggs – for structure, lift and a tender scone interior. We’re using an egg to brush the exterior of the scones before baking for a golden finish.
- Sourdough Starter Discard – 100% hydration stirred down, adds tenderness and flavor.
- Heavy Cream – tenderizes the scones and adds moisture. For a vegan scone, use full fat coconut milk.
- Sweetened Dried Cranberries – look for dried cranberries in the bulk bins for best value, they add sweetness and tart pops of flavor.
If your cranberries seem dry, simply rehydrate them in very hot water for about 10 minutes. Drain and pat dry before using them in the recipe.
At a Glance: 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.
- First, whisk the discard, cream, egg, vanilla, orange zest and juice together.
- Second, in a separate 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. Pour in the sourdough discard 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 thick disk. Cut 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, 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!
Recipe Good to Know
Moist or dry:
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.
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.
Scone shapes:
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.
“Truly, these scones are so far above and beyond high end bakeries – really wonderful!”
Sandy
Traci’s Tips
- 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 recipe for you.
- Love Orange and Cranberries? Try my Cranberry Orange Sourdough Bread!
For more recipes using Bob’s Red Mill Organic All Purpose Flour and other fabulous ingredients, head to their website.
Cranberry Orange Sourdough Scones
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) Organic 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
- Turbinado Sugar, for sprinkling, Demerara or Raw may be subbed
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 Fahrenheit oven for about 10-15 minutes.
Video
Notes
- Substitute Earth Balance Unsalted Butter for dairy butter.
- Substitute full fat coconut milk (from a can stirred down) for the whipping cream.
Nutrition
Nutrition is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate. If this information is important to you, please have it verified independently.
Made it? Leave a comment below!
The most helpful comment may include recipe rating, feedback, any modifications or helping other commentors.
I used candied orange peels and the sweet juice of the peels in place of orange zest and orange juice.
Fabulous
WOW, Sue! Candied orange peel sounds amazing! Thank you for your tip and five star review.
I love this recipe! I have made it before and used fresh cranberries and lots of turbinado sugar on top to balance! I have them in the freezer now for a Christmas party in a couple of days, but I made them “snack size.” I shaped the dough into two discs and then cut into eighths. Do you have baking temp and timing suggestions for my “snack size” scones?
Hi Letica! So glad you’re enjoying the scones. Thank you for sharing your fresh cranberry and turbinado sugar tip! I’ve not baked these in smaller sizes, but readers tell me it’s the same bake time and temp. Just keep an eye on the edges, and if you have an instant read thermometer, use it to test the internal temperature for doneness. What a treat!
Turned out amazingly! Didn’t have the sugar for dusting I think that would’ve taken it over the top but just as tasty without. Not too sweet love the fresh orange scent and taste. I made them minis by dividing dough in half before patting into rounds and cutting up and they’re the perfect little treat! Baking times were the same for minis.
Thank you for your note, Sarah, and sharing your mini tips!
I make this and substituted orange zest/juice with dehydrated orange powder and also sugar with honey. Added prunes and raisins together with cranberries. Really good and my friends love them.
Hi ShaLe! Thank you for your note and sharing your tips! SO glad everyone is enjoying the scones!
Totally love these scones! Eating one as I write this. I used frozen cranberries because that’s what I had, worked great. Used orange juice from a carton and used boyajian oil in place of the orange zest. Will definitely make again.
Love hearing this, Susan! Thank you for your note and giving the scones a go!
Do to know if you can substitute the heavy cream for something else? I’m on a small island – and we rarely get heavy cream in.
Hi Deborah! You can try full fat coconut milk or coconut cream.
I made these scone exactly like the recipe but used 100% fresh ground spelt flour. They were/are fantastic. Thank you for the recipe.
Hi Elaine! Thank you for your note and tip about ground spelt. Keep us posted on the einkorn or emmer when you give em a go!
My very first sourdough discard recipe and it’s a winner! I planned to bake them in the morning for breakfast, but I was so excited to try one so I baked just one in the air fryer for a perfect afternoon snack. Can’t wait for my family to enjoy them tomorrow morning!
Love these scones! I also made them with lemon and freeze dry blueberries! Amazing
Sounds SO good! Thank you for your note and tip Christine!
Wow. These scones are amazing! I love being able to use up discard, and any recipe where a step is described as a “shaggy mess” is right up my alley! We tend to like our scones plain, so skipped the cranberries – the orange flavor is fantastic. Since there are only two of us at home, we leave these in the freezer and bake when we want one (or more!) – this also makes them easy to gift. The only thing I do differently is brush with cream rather than egg wash before baking – prevents having leftover egg and works great. I used this same recipe to make raisin scones – added a little more cream to replace orange juice and a little more vanilla to replace orange peel, and soaked the raisins in some orange juice, then drained. They are delicious! A bakery near us makes Parmesan chive scones, so thought I’d give that a try. Truly, these scones are so far above and beyond high end bakeries – really wonderful! Thanks!! I’m enjoying your website and learning a lot!
Oh my gosh, Sandy, thank you for your note, sharing your tips and giving the scones a go! “Shaggy mess” people unite, LOL! Parmesan chive scones are over the top 🙃