Apple Cranberry Scones are perfect for breakfast, brunch, and more. A big fluffy scone recipe with chunks of fresh apple, dried cranberries, and warm spices.
You will also want to try Frozen Berry Scones, and Strawberry White Chocolate Scones too.
If you have never baked scones before, no worries. They are not difficult, and I have a few tips to help you get bakery-style scones at home. Moist and soft inside with crumbly edges. The perfect Irish apple scone.
Have you ever baked biscuits from scratch? Baking Powder Biscuits and Cottage Cheese Biscuits are both great recipes to start with. Baking scones and biscuits are very similar.
While you are in the baking spirit, give these Cranberry Bran Flake Muffins a try too. The perfect breakfast muffin.
RECIPE and INSTRUCTIONS can be found at the bottom of this post.
This Simple Scone Recipe Needs:
- All-purpose flour – bleached or unbleached.
- Brown sugar – light or dark will work.
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Butter – cold unsalted works best.
- Buttermilk – check out the recipe tips below.
- Fresh apples – peeled and diced.
- Dried cranberries
- Cinnamon
- Ginger
- Nutmeg
- Turbinado sugar
Be sure to read the suggestions and recipe tips below.
Baking Apple Cranberry Scones Is Easy
I can eat these for breakfast any day of the week. Great for my afternoon tea too. No wonder the English love scones.
Full instructions are in the recipe card below.
- Combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl.
- Add the butter and work into the flour mixture.
- Add the buttermilk and mix to combine.
- Toss in the cranberries and apples.
- Once the ingredients are combined, turn onto a floured surface.
- Shape into a circle and cut into wedges.
- Top with sugar and bake.
- Once baked, transfer to a wire rack and cool.
- Scones are ready to eat.
Suggestions/Recipe Tips
Butter – be sure it is cold and cut it into small pieces before adding it to the flour mixture. I like to use a wire potato masher to break it up in the flour. You can use a pasty cutter or even 2 knives will work.
Buttermilk – if you don’t have any on hand you can thin out some sour cream or greek yogurt with water. Alternatively, you can add some vinegar to regular milk and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. Put 1 tablespoon of vinegar in a measuring cup and add enough milk to measure 1 cup.
Spices – I used a combination of cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. Feel free to adjust the amounts that work for you. Like more cinnamon, no problem. Add a touch of ground cloves to the mix. You can also use an apple pie spice blend for this recipe.
Apples – any variety will work. Be sure to peel them.
Turbinado sugar – used for topping can be omitted if you like. You can also use sanding sugar, raw sugar or if you prefer, top them with a simple glaze when they are cool.
Add-ins – if you are not into cranberries, add some nuts, chocolate chips or toffee bits.
Storage – they will keep for 2-3 days at room temperature. For longer storage, you can place them in the fridge for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for longer.
Serving – can be served at room temperature (with jam) or heated up (perfect with some butter). I like to heat mine in the oven just until warm. You can also use the microwave, but they will not have a crispy exterior.
FAQs
The less kneading the better. Overworking will produce a tough and chewy texture.
If you would like a golden, shiny top, you can use an egg wash. Beat an egg, and brush the top of each scone. If you are adding a sugar topping, do this after brushing on the egg.
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Looking for more recipes that contain apples and cranberries? Give these a try:
- Apple Pudding – is a family favourite in our house.
- Cranberry Sauce – is a must on the holiday dinner table.
- Chickpea Apple Salad – the perfect fall salad for lunch and great for brunch too.
Easy Apple Cranberry Scones
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup cold, unsalted butter (cubed)
- ¾ cup buttermilk
- 4 ounces fresh apples (diced)
- 2 ounces dried cranberries
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ginger
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon turbinado sugar (for topping)
Instructions
- Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper. Preheat oven to 400º F.
To Make The Scones:
- Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and spices in a large bowl and whisk.2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, ½ cup brown sugar, 1 tablespoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ginger, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- Using a pastry cutter, potato masher or 2 knives, cut in the cold butter. There should be pea-sized pieces of butter throughout.½ cup cold, unsalted butter
- Make a well in the centre, and add the buttermilk and combine until just mixed. The dough should hold together. If it is still too wet, add a tablespoon of flour.¾ cup buttermilk
- Add the diced apple and cranberries. Fold in until combines, but do not over mix.4 ounces fresh apples, 2 ounces dried cranberries
To Bake The Scones:
- Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead a couple of times.
- Form into a ball, then press it out into an 8 inch circle.
- Cut into 8 wedges using a sharp knife.
- Transfer to the baking sheet, and top with sugar.1 tablespoon turbinado sugar
- Bake for 20-22 minutes until golden brown. Remove and transfer to a baking rack to cool.
Zhen
I love scones! This was so good with cream and tea- a perfect way to use up my leftover cranberries from Thanksgiving!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
These scones are perfect with tea and coffee that’s for sure.
Amy Liu Dong
Such easy and delicious afternoon treats to make for the kids.
I am sure they gonna love it!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
You can never resist a freshly baked scone, at least not in our house. ENJOY!
Natalia
I followed the recipe and these were a big hit. The flavors of cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg came through and the scone was light and delicious! Thank you. Will definitely make again.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
These bakery-style apple scones are super easy to make.
Silvia
This is a great flavor combo. The apple and cranberry go so well together and the recipe is very easy to follow and even better to taste.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
Scones are super easy and turn out every time.
Jamie
Wow! This apple cranberry scone looks so yummy, it’s kinda new to me but this recipe entices me already! Love the crispy outside and the softness inside!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
These apple scones with cranberries are so easy to make.
Adriana
I have never baked scones. You inspired me as I need to bake a Christmas brunch item, and this is the perfect recipe. Thanks for the inspiration.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
These are perfect for holiday brunches. ENJOY!
Julie
These scones are amazing! I love how rich they came out and the cranberries are the perfect addition. I love this recipe for Thanksgiving morning.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
This is the perfect scone recipe for the holidays.
Ana F.
Scones are one of my favorite things to eat and these Apple Cranberry Scones turned out delicious! They’re also super easy to make. Thanks for the recipe!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
You are very welcome. I agree, scones are so delicious.
Nikki
I’m loving the flavor combination of these easy to make and delicious scones.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
Apples and cranberries are a match in these delicious scones for sure.
Beth
Apples and cranberries go so well together! We loved these scones.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
I love these for breakfast with my morning coffee.
JC Phelps
Perfect for this time of year! I am going to whip up a batch this weekend. YUM!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
Enjoy. These cranberry scones are easy and so delicious.
Angela
Love the combo of chewy cranberries and sweet apples. So good!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
You can never go wrong with apples and cranberries in freshly baked scones that is for sure.
Keri
These scones were so delicious. Loved the combination of cranberries and apples. I have these on my Christmas breakfast menu list.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
These cranberry scones are perfect for Christmas.
Jessica Formicola
I made these scones for breakfast this morning and they were incredible! So full of fall flavor and so delicious!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
I love these apple cranberry scones, perfect any time of the day.
Giangi Townsend
So yummy!! Thank you for the easy instructions. We loved them and they were no leftovers. I will remake it again. Love the combination of apples and cranberries.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
These scones are so easy to make, and as you can see so delicious to eat.