Gluten Free Cranberry Scones

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These Gluten Free Cranberry Scones are filled with juicy, tart cranberries. Serve with orange honey butter for the ultimate holiday brunch.

cranberry scones on light brown parchment with cranberries and orange slices.

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These Gluten Free Cranberry Scones are soft and ever so slightly sweet on the inside with pops of tart and juicy cranberries throughout. On the outside, they have a crunchy crust sprinkled with turbinado sugar, which pairs so well with the tart berries.

Served along with the most heavenly orange honey butter (I could slather it on anything), they're the perfect make ahead option for a holiday brunch or just to grab on the way out the door.

Here's what you'll need to make these scones

cranberry scones ingredients measured out and labeled.

Cranberries - I cut fresh cranberries in half, which I find disperses the cranberry flavor throughout instead of having large pockets of super tart cranberries. You can also use frozen (unthawed) cranberries that are whole.
Buttermilk - I always use whole-fat buttermilk in any biscuit or scone recipe as it really makes a difference in the tenderness of the quick bread. However, if you can't find whole-fat buttermilk, you can use lowfat, but please don't substitute with fat free.
Kim's gluten free all purpose flour blend - a store bought gf flour blend may be substituted, but please note this has not been tested.
Butter - Cubed and cold butter is cut into the dry ingredients to make nice and tender, flaky scones.

Let's make cranberry scones

rubbing butter into flour between fingers.

Step 1: Rub butter into dry ingredients until the size of coarse crumbs.

pouring cream into flour in large glass bowl.

Step 2: Pour buttermilk into butter/flour mixture.

mixing cranberry scone dough in glass bowl.

Step 3: Add chopped cranberries and stir into a stiff dough.

cutting cranberry scones into triangles with bench scraper.

Step 4: Pat or roll out dough on a well-floured surface and cut into 8 equal triangles.

spreading cream onto scones with fingers.

Step 5: Place triangles on baking sheet and rub extra cream on top, if desired.

Step 6: Sprinkle with turbinado sugar (optional) and bake at 400 F for 17-20 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed.

Whip up the delectable orange honey butter

cubed butter, honey, and orange zest in small glass bowl.

Step 1: Add all butter ingredients into a small bowl.

whipped honey orange butter in glass bowl.

Step 2: Beat together until smooth.

Cranberry scones FAQs

Can I add orange zest to gluten free cranberry scones dough?

Yes, you can add the orange zest directly to the dough of cranberry scones instead of, or in addition to, putting it in the orange honey butter.

Can gluten free cranberry scones be made in advance?

Yes, you can shape and then freeze them individually until solid, storing them in a large ziptop bag. Or you can bake them and store them in an airtight container for up to 4 days at room temperature. Reheat for a crunchy top crust.

Can I use frozen cranberries in gluten free cranberry scones?

Yes, add still frozen cranberries directly to the dough before shaping.

More gluten free recipes using cranberries

Gluten free cranberry bliss bars (a Starbucks copycat recipe)
Homemade cranberry curd
Gluten free cranberry orange bundt cake
Gluten free cranberry walnut sourdough

cranberry scones with orange honey butter in white crock.

Gluten Free Cranberry Scones are the perfect breakfast or brunch option during the holidays or any time of year!