Mandarin Orange Scones with Sweet Orange Glaze Recipe

Introduction

These Mandarin Orange Scones are a delightful twist on a classic treat, bursting with fresh citrus flavor and a sweet glaze. Perfect for breakfast or an afternoon snack, they combine tender, buttery dough with vibrant mandarin pieces for a refreshing bite.

Ingredients

• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1¼ teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 6 tablespoons cold butter
• ½ cup buttermilk
• 3 mandarin oranges
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon mandarin orange zest
• 1-2 tablespoons orange juice (or juice from an additional mandarin)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F.
2. Step 2: Using a citrus zester, zest two mandarin oranges. Peel the skin off the mandarins and separate into sections. Slice all orange sections into small pieces and save any juice for the glaze.
3. Step 3: In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
4. Step 4: Cut the cold butter into small cubes and add to the flour mixture. Use two knives or a pastry cutter to cut the butter in until the mixture resembles small peas.
5. Step 5: Stir in the buttermilk, mandarin orange zest, and the chopped mandarin pieces gently until just combined.
6. Step 6: Turn the dough onto a well-floured surface and shape it into a disk about ¼ inch thick.
7. Step 7: Cut the disk into eight wedges and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
8. Step 8: Optional: Chill the dough wedges for 15 minutes before baking to keep the butter cold and prevent spreading.
9. Step 9: Bake for 15 to 17 minutes until golden and cooked through.
10. Step 10: While the scones bake, make the glaze by combining the powdered sugar, reserved mandarin zest, and enough orange juice to create a runny consistency.
11. Step 11: Once the scones are warm out of the oven, drizzle the glaze on top.

Tips & Variations

• Use cold butter and chill the dough to ensure flakier scones with a tender crumb.
• Substitute mandarins with clementines or tangerines if mandarins aren’t available.
• Add a tablespoon of finely chopped fresh rosemary or thyme to the dough for a fragrant, herbal twist.
• For a dairy-free option, replace buttermilk with a mix of plant-based milk and a teaspoon of lemon juice.

Storage

Store leftover scones in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. To reheat, warm them briefly in a toaster oven or microwave until just heated through. The glaze may soften, but the flavor remains delicious.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the scone dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough and cut the scones up to a day in advance. Keep them refrigerated on the baking sheet covered tightly with plastic wrap and bake fresh when ready.

What if I don’t have buttermilk?

If you don’t have buttermilk, mix ½ cup of milk with 1 teaspoon of lemon juice or vinegar and let it sit for about 5 minutes to curdle before using.

Mandarin Orange Scones with Sweet Orange Glaze Recipe

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4.6 from 68 reviews

These Mandarin Orange Scones are a delightful twist on a classic scone recipe, featuring fresh mandarin orange zest and juicy orange pieces for a bright, citrus flavor. With a slightly crisp exterior and tender, buttery crumb, they are perfect for breakfast or an afternoon treat. The scones are topped with a sweet mandarin orange glaze that adds an extra burst of fruity sweetness.

• Author: Bella
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15-17 minutes
• Total Time: 35-40 minutes
• Yield: 8 scones 1x
• Category: Breakfast
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

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Dry Ingredients

• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1¼ teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt

Wet and Dairy Ingredients

• 6 tablespoons cold butter, cut into small cubes
• ½ cup buttermilk

Fruit and Zest

• 3 mandarin oranges (2 for zest and sections, 1 for juice)

Glaze

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon mandarin orange zest
• 1–2 tablespoons mandarin orange juice (or fresh orange juice)

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Heat your oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C) to prepare for baking the scones.
2. Prepare the Mandarins: Use a citrus zester to zest two of the mandarin oranges. Peel these mandarins and separate into sections. Slice the orange sections into small pieces and reserve any juice for the glaze.
3. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt thoroughly.
4. Cut in Butter: Add the cold cubed butter to the dry mixture. Using two knives or a pastry cutter, cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles pea-sized crumbs.
5. Add Wet Ingredients and Fruit: Stir in the buttermilk, mandarin orange zest, and the small pieces of mandarin orange sections gently with a wooden spoon until just combined and all the flour is incorporated.
6. Shape Dough: Turn the sticky dough onto a well-floured surface. Shape it into a disk about ¼ inch thick.
7. Cut and Chill Dough: Optionally, cut the disk into eight wedges and chill the dough for 15 minutes to keep the butter cold, which helps prevent spreading during baking.
8. Bake the Scones: Transfer the wedges to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 17 minutes until the scones are golden and cooked through.
9. Prepare the Glaze: While the scones bake, combine the powdered sugar, reserved mandarin orange zest, and enough mandarin orange juice to create a loose glaze.
10. Glaze and Serve: Once the scones are warm out of the oven, drizzle the glaze over them. Serve warm for best flavor and texture. Store leftovers in a sealed container for up to two days.

Notes

• Chilling the dough before baking helps keep the scones flaky by preventing the butter from melting too quickly.
• If you prefer a more intense orange flavor, add extra zest to the dough or glaze.
• Scones are best enjoyed fresh, but can be reheated briefly in a warm oven to regain some crispness.
• You can substitute buttermilk with regular milk plus a teaspoon of lemon juice or vinegar if needed.

Keywords: Mandarin orange scones, citrus scones, breakfast scones, orange glaze, homemade scones