The Ultimate Bakery-Size Orange Scone Cookies

The ultimate orange scone cookies are here! After making these many times, I’ve perfected the recipe for you. These cookies are crispy on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside, and packed with fresh orange flavor. Keep reading for my best tips or jump straight to the recipe. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Delicious Strawberry Crunch Cookies and Flavorful Firecracker Hot Dogs.

What You'll Need for The Ultimate Bakery-Size Orange Scone Cookies

Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 1/2 cup orange juice, freshly squeezed
• 1 tsp orange zest
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp orange zest
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• Optional: Glaze: 1 cup powdered sugar, 2 tbsp orange juice, 1 tsp orange zest
• Optional: Dried cranberries or chopped nuts for topping

How to Make The Ultimate Bakery-Size Orange Scone Cookies

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
3. Step 3: Add the cold cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4. Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together the orange juice, orange zest, egg, and vanilla extract.
5. Step 5: Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. The dough will be crumbly but should hold together when squeezed.
6. Step 6: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and pat it into a rectangle about 1/2-inch thick. Cut the dough into squares or use a cookie cutter to make shapes.
7. Step 7: Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 12-14 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
8. Step 8: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Drizzle with glaze and top with dried cranberries or chopped nuts, if desired.

Storing & Reheating The Ultimate Bakery-Size Orange Scone Cookies

Short-Term Storage

Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Make-ahead tip: The dough can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 24 hours.

Freezing The Ultimate Bakery-Size Orange Scone Cookies

Freeze for up to 3 months.

How to Reheat Without Drying It Out

Oven: Reheat in a 350°F (180°C) oven for 5-7 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 15-20 seconds.

Recipe Notes

• Chef tip: For a more even texture, use a food processor to cut the butter into the dry ingredients.
• Best substitution: Substitute the orange juice with buttermilk for a different flavor profile.
• Make-ahead: The dough can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 24 hours.
• Scaling: This recipe can be doubled or halved depending on your needs.
• Troubleshooting: If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour. If it's too dry, add a little more orange juice.

The Ultimate Bakery-Size Orange Scone Cookies

⏱

Prep

15 mins

🍳

Cook

12-14 mins

⏳

Total

27-39 mins

🍽

Serves

12 cookies

🥗

Diet

Gluten-free option: substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 1/2 cup orange juice, freshly squeezed
• 1 tsp orange zest
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Seasonings

• 1 tsp orange zest
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

Optional Toppings

• Glaze: 1 cup powdered sugar, 2 tbsp orange juice, 1 tsp orange zest
• Dried cranberries or chopped nuts for topping

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
3. Step 3: Add the cold cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4. Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together the orange juice, orange zest, egg, and vanilla extract.
5. Step 5: Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. The dough will be crumbly but should hold together when squeezed.
6. Step 6: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and pat it into a rectangle about 1/2-inch thick. Cut the dough into squares or use a cookie cutter to make shapes.
7. Step 7: Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 12-14 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
8. Step 8: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Drizzle with glaze and top with dried cranberries or chopped nuts, if desired.

Notes

• Chef tip: For a more even texture, use a food processor to cut the butter into the dry ingredients.
• Best substitution: Substitute the orange juice with buttermilk for a different flavor profile.
• Make-ahead: The dough can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 24 hours.
• Scaling: This recipe can be doubled or halved depending on your needs.
• Troubleshooting: If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour. If it's too dry, add a little more orange juice.

Storage

• Fridge: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
• Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months.
• Oven reheat: Reheat in a 350°F (180°C) oven for 5-7 minutes.
• Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 15-20 seconds.
• Make ahead: The dough can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 24 hours.

Nutrition Per Serving

• Calories: 150
• Protein: 2g
• Fat: 6g
• Carbs: 22g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 8g
• Sodium: 150mg
• Cholesterol: 30mg
• Sat. Fat: 3.5g

Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.

The Ultimate Bakery-Size Orange Scone Cookies FAQs

A Warm Final Note

I can’t wait for you to try The Ultimate Bakery-Size Orange Scone Cookies and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!