admin1 Soft, tender, and filled with the delightful combination of sweet coconut and tart cranberries, these Cranberry & Coconut Scones are perfect for breakfast, brunch, afternoon tea, or a cozy coffee break. The buttery, flaky texture pairs beautifully with the chewy dried cranberries and subtle tropical flavor of coconut, creating a bakery-style treat that’s surprisingly easy to make at home.
These scones come together in less than an hour and are delicious served warm with butter, clotted cream, or your favorite jam. Whether you’re entertaining guests or simply treating yourself, these homemade scones are sure to impress.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Buttery and tender texture
- Sweet-tart cranberry flavor
- Delicious coconut aroma
- Easy to make from scratch
- Perfect for breakfast or tea time
- Freezer-friendly
- Great make-ahead treat
- Bakery-style results at home
Preparation Time
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Chill Time: 15 minutes
- Bake Time: 18ā22 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
Yield: 8 large scones
Servings: 8
Equipment Needed
- Large mixing bowl
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Pastry cutter or fork
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Sharp knife
Ingredients
For the Scones
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ā cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- Ā½ teaspoon salt
- Ā½ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
- Ā½ cup sweetened shredded coconut
- Ā½ cup dried cranberries
- ā cup heavy cream
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Topping
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon coarse sugar
- 2 tablespoons shredded coconut
Optional Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- Ā½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to:
400Ā°F (200Ā°C)
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together:
- Flour
- Sugar
- Baking powder
- Salt
Add the shredded coconut and dried cranberries.
Mix well.
Step 3: Cut in the Butter
Add the cold cubed butter.
Using a pastry cutter or fork, work the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized pieces of butter remaining.
These small butter pieces create flaky layers during baking.
Step 4: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl whisk together:
- Heavy cream
- Egg
- Vanilla extract
Pour into the dry ingredients.
Stir gently until a shaggy dough forms.
Do not overmix.
Step 5: Shape the Dough
Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface.
Gently knead 4ā5 times until it comes together.
Pat into a circle approximately:
- 8 inches wide
- 1 inch thick
Cut into 8 equal wedges.
Step 6: Chill the Scones
Transfer the wedges to the prepared baking sheet.
Place in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.
Chilling Temperature
- 35ā40Ā°F (2ā4Ā°C)
Chilling Time
- 15 minutes
This helps the butter stay cold and produces taller, flakier scones.
Step 7: Add the Topping
Brush the tops with heavy cream.
Sprinkle with:
- Coarse sugar
- Shredded coconut
Step 8: Bake
Bake in the preheated oven.
Baking Temperature
400Ā°F (200Ā°C)
Baking Time
18ā22 minutes
Bake until golden brown around the edges and lightly browned on top.
Internal Temperature
Fully baked scones should reach:
200Ā°F (93Ā°C)
in the center.
Step 9: Cool
Allow the scones to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes.
Transfer to a wire rack.
Cool for another 10 minutes.
Step 10: Optional Glaze
Whisk together:
- Powdered sugar
- Milk
- Vanilla extract
Drizzle over the cooled scones.
Allow the glaze to set before serving.
Tips for Perfect Scones
Keep Everything Cold
Cold butter is essential for flaky scones.
Don’t Overwork the Dough
Handle the dough as little as possible to keep the texture tender.
Chill Before Baking
Cold dough creates taller, lighter scones.
Use Fresh Baking Powder
Fresh leavening ensures maximum rise.
Delicious Variations
Orange Cranberry Coconut Scones
Add:
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
for bright citrus flavor.
White Chocolate Version
Mix in:
- Ā½ cup white chocolate chips
for extra sweetness.
Almond Coconut Scones
Add:
- Ā½ teaspoon almond extract
alongside the vanilla.
Gluten-Free Version
Substitute a quality gluten-free 1-to-1 flour blend.
Tropical Scones
Replace cranberries with:
- Dried pineapple
- Dried mango
for a tropical twist.
Storage Instructions
Room Temperature
Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Refrigerator
Store for up to 5 days.
Warm before serving.
Freezer
Freeze baked scones for up to 3 months.
Thaw overnight and reheat before serving.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these scones with:
- Butter
- Clotted cream
- Strawberry jam
- Orange marmalade
- Honey
- Coffee
- Tea
- Hot chocolate
Nutritional Information
Per Scone (without glaze)
- Calories: 320
- Protein: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
- Sodium: 230mg
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 12g
Nutrition values are estimates and may vary depending on ingredients used.
