Mandarin Orange Scones with Sweet Orange Glaze Recipe
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.
- 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
Scale
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
- Preheat Oven: Heat your oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C) to prepare for baking the scones.
- 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.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt thoroughly.
- 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.
- 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.
- Shape Dough: Turn the sticky dough onto a well-floured surface. Shape it into a disk about ¼ inch thick.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
