Cranberry Mascarpone Scones

Sweet, tart, tangy and buttery, these cranberry mascarpone scones are wonderful for breakfast or as a snack in the afternoon with a steaming mug of coffee.

Happy New Year! Dear Lord, in the history of time, has there ever been a better year to wish someone a happy new year? Don’t we need all the happy wishes we can get at this point?????

Scones are just about my favorite thing to make in the morning, especially in winter. OK, maybe they won’t grant wishes, or make all your wildest dreams come true, but they will make your day a little brighter! I found the recipe for this particular scone over at bakerbynature.com. She makes them with ricotta, which is what I’ve always done previously, but I happened to have some mascarpone that was about to expire when I wanted to bake one morning, so these babies were born.

Truthfully, I know this time of year everyone is so crammed full of sugar and fat that the last thing anyone wants is, well, more sugar and fat. I’m pretty sure I dreamed about eating carrots on more than one occasion over the last week or so. But I’m always in the mood for these scones. They’re sweet and tart, warm, pillowy, soft…the whole package! Enjoy!

Cranberry Mascarpone Scones

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Course Breakfast

Servings 8

Ingredients

  

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• zest from half an orange
• 1 stick stick cold, unsalted butter cut into tablespoons
• 1 large egg beaten
• 1/2 cup mascarpone cheese (can use ricotta instead)
• 3 tablespoons heavy cream (whole milk works fine, too)
• 1 1/2 cup cranberries, fresh or frozen
• 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips if desired

Egg Wash:

• 1 large egg beaten
• 1 teaspoon milk

Glaze:

• 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
• zest of half an orange
• pinch of salt
• 3/4 cup confectioners sugar

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with a silpat liner or parchment paper and set aside.
• Add cranberries to the bowl of a food processor fitted with the standard blade. Pulse until cranberries are chopped into small bits. Alternatively, chop cranberries with a chef's knife. Transfer chopped berries to a small bowl and set aside.
• In the same food processor bowl, pulse flour, salt, baking powder, sugar and orange zest until well combined, about 5-6 pulses. Sprinkle cold, sliced butter over top and pulse again until the mixture resemble coarse meal. Alternatively, combine flour, salt, baking powder, sugar and orange zest in large bowl. Cut in cold butter with two forks or pastry cutter, or rub together with fingertips until mixture resembles coarse meal. Transfer flour mixture to a large bowl.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the egg, mascarpone cheese, and cream. Add to flour mixture and mix with wooden spoon until mixture begins to come together. Add in the chopped cranberries and chocolate chips (if using) and mix until combined into a rough, shaggy dough.
• Pour the dough onto a lightly floured work surface and gently knead until mixture comes together. Pat into a roughly 8" circle and cut into eight wedges with a sharp knife or a bench scraper.
• Places the cut scones on the baking sheet. Combine the remaining egg with a teaspoon of milk and brush over scones.
• Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the tops are lightly golden brown. Set aside to cool for 5-6 minutes before glazing.
• While scones are baking, combine orange juice, remaining orange zest, salt and powdered sugar to make a glaze. Drizzle over slightly-cooled scones and serve.

Notes

Adapted from Cranberry Ricotta Scones from Baker By Nature.