Have I mentioned before that scones are basically my favorite thing ever?

HELLO crispy-edged, buttery little bites of goodness that are super-easy to make. I like you. ♡

Here’s the thing; when I’m feeling ambitious, I make fancy cupcakes with whipped ganache and all that jazz. When I feel like putting in effort is just short of impossible and something needs to go right with my day, I make scones. Quick, simple, and always delicious — exactly what a rough day calls for.

These orange-vanilla bean scones are currently on my go-to list because they’re about as easy as scones can get and filled with enough bright, citrusy flavor to make it not feel like the dead of winter ➝ which can be over already in my book. They’re bold in flavor but light in texture, perfectly crisp on the outside but super-tender on the inside, and so simple but yet so spot-on-perfect. Plus all those pretty specks of vanilla bean dotted throughout? My fave.

I’m making myself really sad now because I don’t have any of these left for tomorrow’s breakfast. :( On the agenda: MAKE MORE SCONES. Guarantee you’ll being seeing some on the Insta very soon. ;)

Zested Orange & Vanilla Bean Scones

Light, fresh, and citrusy scones with a bold orange flavor. These smell heavenly as you make them and bake up with a perfect bit of crispiness to the edges and a buttery, tender crumb.

Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 12 scones 1x

Ingredients

Scale

Scones

9 1/2 ounces (2 1/4 cups, spoon and level) all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
2 5/8 ounces (6 tablespoons) vanilla sugar (or granulated sugar)
2 tablespoons orange zest
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 vanilla beans, split and scraped
3 ounces (6 tablespoons) butter, frozen and cubed
6 1/4 ounces (3/4 cup) heavy cream
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Glaze

1 tablespoon heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla sugar (or granulated sugar)
1 teaspoon orange zest
sparkling sugar, for sprinkling

Instructions

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar, orange zest, salt, and vanilla bean seeds until evenly combined. Cut in the butter with a pastry cutter until all pieces are small (pea-sized or less). Add cream and vanilla extract and fold in until incorporated. Use hands to gently knead everything together into a single ball of dough, adding a bit more cream if needed to bring dough together. Dough should not be wet or sticky.
Divide dough in half and shape each half into a round disc about 3/4″ thick on prepared baking sheet. Freeze for 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 400ºF. Whisk together cream, vanilla sugar, and orange zest for glaze.
Cut each disc of dough, pizza-style, into 6 individual scones and spread apart on baking sheet. Brush tops with cream mixture and sprinkle with sparkling sugar.
Bake scones in preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center of one comes out clean. Transfer to a wire rack until ready to serve. Scones are best fresh, but leftovers can kept in an airtight container at room temperature.

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Comments

Jess says
February 02, 2015 at 8:29 pm
I’ve totally fallen off the scone bandwagon – it’s been YEARS since I’ve made them, but you remind me of what a fun and delicious little baking project these are. Just the inspiration I need – I think I’ll try these out over the weekend!
- alexandra says
  February 10, 2015 at 4:14 pm
  Oh my gosh, years?! Totally need to get back on that bandwagon Jess! ;)
Alison Jeanine says
February 03, 2015 at 7:15 pm
Butter and orange?! Sounds like such a delightful combo! :)
Xo, Alison
http://www.simplyfairbyalisonjeanine.com
- alexandra says
  February 10, 2015 at 4:14 pm
  YES! :) Thanks Alison!

Zested Orange & Vanilla Bean Scones