Walnut Cranberry Scones Recipe
These Walnut Cranberry Scones are a delightful blend of nutty and tart flavors, perfect for a cozy breakfast or afternoon tea. Made with cold butter and studded with chopped walnuts and dried cranberries, they offer a tender crumb with a slightly crisp exterior. A touch of vanilla and a sprinkle of turbinado sugar add extra sweetness and texture, making these scones a comforting treat for any occasion.
- Author: Douaa
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 33 minutes
- Yield: 8 scones 1x
- Category: Breakfast, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Mix-ins
- 3/4 cup walnuts, chopped
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 2/3 cup heavy cream
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Finishing Touches
- Additional heavy cream for brushing
- Turbinado sugar for sprinkling (optional)
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Sheet: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and seasoning throughout the mixture.
- Cut in Butter: Add the cold, cubed unsalted butter to the dry ingredients. Use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs, which helps create a flaky texture.
- Add Nuts and Dried Fruit: Stir in the chopped walnuts and dried cranberries, ensuring they are well distributed, adding flavor and texture to the scones.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, egg, and vanilla extract until fully blended, providing moisture and richness.
- Form the Dough: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture, gently stirring until just combined to avoid overmixing, which can toughen the scones.
- Shape and Cut: Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface. Pat it into a round disk about 1 inch thick, then cut into 8 equal wedges for uniform baking.
- Prepare for Baking: Place the wedges on the lined baking sheet. Brush the tops with additional heavy cream to promote browning and sprinkle with turbinado sugar if desired for added crunch and sweetness.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes or until the scones have turned a beautiful golden brown on top.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the scones to cool slightly before serving to let their texture set and flavors meld. Enjoy warm with tea or your favorite beverage.
Notes
- Make sure the butter is very cold to achieve flaky scones.
- Do not overmix the dough to keep the scones tender and light.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and use a dairy-free butter alternative.
- Swap dried cranberries with other dried fruits like cherries or raisins if preferred.
- Store scones in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or freeze for longer storage.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 scone
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: walnut cranberry scones, autumn scones, nutty scones, breakfast scones, tea time snack, baked scones