Orange Buttermilk Scones Recipe- easy to make and bursting with fresh orange flavor and delicious chocolate chips. These buttermilk scones are THE BEST hands down!
The perfect scone! Easy to make and so flavorful!
These orange chocolate chip buttermilk scones are amazing! They are delicious and easy to make. Perfect for breakfast or anytime really!
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I love the combo of orange and chocolate!
Originally I was just going to come up with a basic buttermilk scone recipe but then I got to thinking chocolate chips would be really good in these- especially those mini ones.
Then I had a beautiful orange on hand and realized orange and chocolate are a delicious combo (just like my chocolate candied orange peels!).
These orange scones are seriously so addicting.
What ingredients do I use for buttermilk scones?
- All Purpose Flour
- Sugar
- Baking Powder
- Baking Soda
- Salt
- Cold Butter
- Buttermilk
- Orange Extract
- Orange zest
- Mini Chocolate Chips
These scone only use a few ingredients!
How to make buttermilk scones?
- Combine the dry ingredients in one bowl.
- Cut in the butter so the dry ingredients become a sandy texture.
- Add in your orange zest.
- Stir in the buttermilk and orange extract.
- Mix in the chocolate chips.
- Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface.
- Divide into three balls, then flatten into 5 inch circles and cut into wedges.
- Place on a parchment lined baking sheet, brush with additional buttermilk and sprinkle with sugar.
- Bake until golden brown, drizzle with orange glaze, extra zest, and enjoy!
Make sure to cut the butter in and keep it cold- helps with the perfect scone texture!
Can you use orange juice instead of orange extract?
Yes, but you will want to add at least 2 tbsp of juice and any extra zest that you can get from the orange. Extract is concentrated and so you don't need much, but adding too much orange juice to substitute could end up making the batter too runny.
How to cut scones into wedges?
- Divide the dough into 3 balls
- Flatten each ball into circles with a 5 inch diameter and then cut in half, then cut in half again but perpendicular to the first cut
Do I have to cut the scones into wedges?
Nope. You can make these into any shape you want! Cut them into circles, rectangles, squares- anything.
I like to make wedges with my dough- what about you?
Tips for making the best buttermilk scones:
- Don’t over mix the dough- once it is combined it’s read- expect it to be a little lumpy!
- Keep the dough cold- you don’t want the butter to melt before you bake them
Can you use blueberries in this recipe?
Absolutely! The base buttermilk scone recipe (everything minus the chocolate chips, orange zest, and orange extract) is perfect for making any kind of scone that you want!
Stir in a cup of fresh blueberries, cranberries, or add some cinnamon! There are so many possibilites!
Can you freeze scones?
If you want to make these ahead of time I recommend freezing the dough after you cut it into the shape you want it. Freeze the wedges (or whatever shape) on a parchment lined baking sheet then transfer to a ziploc bag once frozen.
When ready to bake pop them in the freezer but you will need to bake them a few minutes longer.
How to store scones?
I’ve made these several times and had a few extra that I popped in the fridge and snacked on over the next few days ,
Some people say you have to make scones right before you eat them- but I love these fresh or a few days after baking! This is seriously an easy scone recipe!
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Orange Buttermilk Scones Recipe
Ingredients
Buttermilk Scones
- 3 cups flour
- ⅓ cup sugar plus extra for sprinkling on top
- 2 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- ¾ cup cold butter cubed
- orange zest from one orange
- 1 cup buttermilk plus more for brushing on top
- 2 tsp orange extract
- ½ cup mini chocolate chips
Easy Glaze
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 ½ tbs milk
- 1 tsp orange extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400˚F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium sized bowl.
- Cut in the butter by using a pastry cutter, a fork or your hands (the easiest and what I do!) The flour mixture should look sandy once the butter is cut in. Then stir in the orange zest.
- Mix in the buttermilk and orange extract until just combined- you don’t want to over mix the batter,
- Add chocolate chips to dough and mix until evenly distributed.
- Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and roll out. Separate the dough into three balls, flatten each ball until they are about 5 inches in diameter, then cut into four wedges.
- Place scones on the lined baking sheet and brush each scone with buttermilk and sprinkle a little sugar on each one.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown.
- While baking mix together the powdered sugar, milk, and orange extract to make the glaze. You can add more or less powdered sugar or milk to get the thickness you prefer.
- When the scones are done baking, drizzle with the glaze and sprinkle with any extra orange zest.
- Enjoy!
Notes
- Don’t over mix the dough- once it is combined it’s read- expect it to be a little lumpy!
- Keep the dough cold- you don’t want the butter to melt before you bake them
Nutrition
Post updated on 10/25/2020
Whitney
These are so perfect. I've made them twice now, and we pulled some out of the freezer tonight and popped them in the oven for 6-7 minutes. I don't have orange extract, but the orange flavor from the zest is lovely!
Lisa
THis makes me so happy! I am so glad you enjoy them!!
felicia baskin
Loved these! Orange/chocolate is one of my fave flavor combos. I subbed in extra zest for the extract, and used dried buttermilk instead of fresh. The texture was perfect—crisp tops and fluffy interiors!
Lisa
Made my day! So glad you enjoyed them!
Lisa
Can never go wrong with extra zest! So glad you enjoyed them!
Stephanie
I absolutely love this recipe. My daughter and I have made these several times already and it’s a family favourite!! We used more orange zest and some of the juice of the orange for more flavour.
Thanks!!
Lisa
Yay! I am so glad you love this recip! It's a favorite of mine too!
Caroline
These scones are wonderful! I did tweak the recipe slightly— I grate the cold butter which eliminates the need to cut the butter into the flour. I also use orange juice instead of orange extract. Today was my third time making the scones and I used dried cranberries instead of chocolate chips— delicious! I love that these scones come out perfect every time.
Lisa
I love your changes! It sounds so delicious and I am so glad you enjoy this recipe!