Description
These Orange Cardamom Cream Scones are tender, flaky, and infused with fragrant cardamom and bright orange zest, making them a perfect treat for breakfast or afternoon tea. The rich cream and buttery texture combine with the subtle spice and citrus for a delightfully flavorful scone that’s easy to prepare and bake to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Scone Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
- Zest of 1 large orange
- 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 2/3 cup heavy cream
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional: 2 tablespoons coarse sugar for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and allow easy cleanup.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, ground cardamom, and orange zest. Whisk thoroughly to distribute all the ingredients evenly.
- Cut in the Butter: Add the cold, cubed unsalted butter to the dry mixture. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, large egg, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Form the Dough: Gradually pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredient bowl, stirring gently until a soft dough forms. Avoid overmixing to keep the scones tender.
- Knead and Shape: Turn the dough onto a floured surface. Knead gently just to bring it together and shape it into a circle approximately 1 inch thick.
- Cut into Wedges: Using a sharp knife or bench scraper, cut the circle into 8 equal wedges. Arrange these wedges evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
- Add Sugar Topping: If desired, sprinkle the tops of the scones with coarse sugar for added texture and sweetness.
- Bake: Place the scones in the preheated oven and bake for 15-18 minutes, until they are golden brown and cooked through.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the scones from the oven and allow them to cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet before serving warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- For the best texture, ensure your butter is very cold before cutting it into the flour mixture.
- Do not overwork the dough to maintain a tender crumb in the scones.
- Orange zest can be substituted with lemon zest for a different citrus flavor.
- These scones are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days or frozen for longer storage.
- Reheat briefly in the oven to restore the fresh-baked texture before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
