Vanilla Glazed Cranberry-Cinnamon Scones

Hints of cinnamon and spice and sudden bursts of cranberry with a smooth vanilla finish. This recipe for Cranberry-Cinnamon Scones is one of my favorites. Whenever I make them, I can’t help but imagining that I am somewhere in the European countryside. I wear a white apron and the wind tousles my hair as I set out freshly brewed tea and some bite-size scones next to my outdoor reading chair. (I always try and make my scones bite-size. That way they can become breakfast, a tea break snack, or dessert!)

Another reason I like this recipe is because I make it without the aid of a mixer. There is something about just taking the time to use your trusted wooden spoon and some muscle. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do!

Cranberry-Cinnamon Scones

Prep Time: approx. 30 minutes

Scones Ingredients:

• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon allspice
• 1 cup dried cranberries (I used Craisins)

Scones Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees; lightly grease a baking sheet
2. In a small bowl, blend the sour cream and baking soda. Set aside.
3. Mix the butter (room temperature) and sugar in a bowl.
4. Beat egg with vanilla extract in a bowl. Add to the butter mixture.
5. Mix the dry ingredients. (Flour, baking powder, cream of tartar, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice)
6. Add dry mixture to the butter mix. Do not over mix.
7. Add sour cream mixture. Make sure it is completely mixed, but do not over mix. (slightly crumbly dough)
8. Mix in the Craisins until evenly distributed throughout.
9. Distribute triangles of dough (about 2″ wide) on the baking sheet.
10. Bake for 15-18 minutes.

*While the Scones are baking make the glaze.

Vanilla Glaze Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 cups of powdered sugar
• 2 1/2 tablespoons of milk (I used 2%)
• 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon butter
• 1/8 teaspoon salt

Vanilla Glaze Directions:

1. Melt the butter. Add milk, vanilla, and salt. Mix.
2. Gradually add powdered sugar until desired consistency is reached. Add more or less for thickness.

Source: modified from Allrecipes.com

The Fresh Fridge Tip: To reach the desired consistency for the scones without over mixing, I generally hand mix the batter after I have mixed it well enough with a spoon. I find hand mixing in the cranberries works out pretty well.