Hey, guess what? You can make those tasty Panera orange scones at home! Just grab a few things and follow the easy steps. Soon, you'll have delicious scones ready to enjoy. Impress your taste buds and friends with our simple guide to homemade Panera orange scones!
These orange scones are my favorite! Soft, buttery, and bursting with citrus flavor. So much better than Panera's! I used fresh orange juice and zest for the perfect taste. Serve them to guests for a cozy breakfast experience!
This article will show you how to make it at home. Let's get cooking!
Table of Contents:
Panera Orange Scones Ingredients
For the Scone Dough:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 stick unsalted frozen butter
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- Zest of one orange
For the Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- Zest of one orange
Cook's tools for Panera Orange Scone
- Food processor
- Small bowl
- Grater
- Whisk
- Bench scraper
- Baking sheet (Covered with a little grease or lined with parchment paper.)
Panera Orange Scones Variations
- Smaller scones: To make them smaller, cut the triangular wedges of dough in half again to create 16 mini scones.
- Glaze options: Try a cream cheese glaze or a simple powdered sugar icing, both enhance the fresh orange flavor wonderfully.
- Oranges: Experiment with different types like Cara Cara, blood oranges, or sumo oranges for varied flavors.
- Bold flavor: If you love citrus, add more zest to the dough or glaze for an extra burst of flavor.
- Orange butter: Instead of glaze, serve with delightful sweet orange butter to spread on top.
How to Make Panera Orange Scones
Making scones usually takes around 30 to 45 minutes, not counting cooling time. Here's a simple breakdown:
Preparation: 10-15 minutes
Mixing and Shaping Dough: 10-15 minutes
Baking: 15-18 minutes
Cooling: 10-15 minutes
So, in less than an hour, you can have a delicious batch of Panera Orange Scones ready to savor!
Orange Scone Instructions
- Heat the oven to 425°F and put parchment paper on a baking sheet.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine sugar and orange zest, rubbing them together with your fingers until fragrant.
- Add flour, salt, and baking powder to the bowl and whisk together with the sugar mixture.
- In a food processor, add cold cream cheese, butter, and eggs, followed by the dry ingredients. Pulse a few times until mixed.
- Pour in milk, vanilla, and orange extracts, pulsing to mix.
- Put the dough onto a surface with a little flour.
- Divide it into 2 equal pieces and shape each into a 6-inch disk.
- Cut each disk into triangles using a sharp knife.
- Place the triangles on the prepared baking sheet and bake for about 15 minutes or until golden brown.
- Lay a piece of wax paper under a wire cooling rack and transfer the baked scones to the rack.
- Drizzle or dip orange glaze onto the cooled scones.
Orange Glaze Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine sugar, orange juice, orange extract, and orange zest.
- Whisk until smooth.
- Spoon the glaze over the cooled scones.
Tips for the Best Orange Scones
- Use cold butter: Just like when making homemade biscuits, your butter should be cold. I typically freeze mine for about 30 minutes before preparing the dough. This helps give the scones their famous soft, thick, and crumbly texture.
- Don't overwork the dough: Mix the ingredients until they just come together. It should still look a little lumpy and not completely smooth.
- Chill the dough: After mixing, place the dough in the fridge for about 10 minutes. This makes it easier to work with when rolling out the dough.
- Use a pizza cutter: This handy tool isn’t just for slicing homemade pizza dough. Use it to cut the dough into perfectly shaped triangular wedges. You can dust it with a little flour for an extra clean cut.
- Glaze consistency: The glaze should be thick but still pourable. If it’s too thick, add a little more half and half to make it thinner. Or mix in more powdered sugar to make it thicker.
- Double the glaze: The recipe provides enough for a light drizzle on each scone. You can double it if you prefer to use more for a sweeter taste.
How to Serve this Panera Orange Scones
Here's how to serve these Panera Orange Scones:
- Fresh and Warm: Serve the scones fresh from the oven when they are still warm. The aroma and texture are best enjoyed when they're freshly baked.
- Glaze Drizzle: Spoon or drizzle the orange glaze over the cooled scones just before serving. This adds a burst of citrus sweetness and enhances their flavor.
- Accompaniments: Pair the scones with a hot cup of tea or coffee for a delightful breakfast or snack. You can also serve them with a dollop of whipped cream or clotted cream for an extra indulgent treat.
- Presentation: Arrange the scones on a serving platter or in a bread basket lined with a clean napkin for a charming presentation. They'll look inviting and appetizing for your guests.
- Enjoyment: Encourage your guests to enjoy the scones while they're still warm and fresh. They're best eaten on the same day they're baked for optimal flavor and texture.
How to Store Panera Orange Scones
FREEZE: Make the scones as usual and cut them into triangles. Put the triangles on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper. Freeze them until they're solid. Then, put them in freezer bags and label them.
FROM FREEZER TO BAKING: Put the frozen scones on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Heat the oven (the scones will thaw a bit while the oven heats). Bake the scones for the same time as the recipe says, plus a couple of extra minutes because they're partially frozen. Add the orange glaze after baking.
Nutrition Facts of Panera Orange Scones
If you're interested in the nutritional information for Panera Orange Scones, you can check out the official nutritional facts provided by the company below.
Panera Orange Scones
Enjoy your homemade scones inspired by Panera!
So, here it is – an easy and delicious recipe for Panera-inspired orange scones. Whether you're a baking beginner or a scone aficionado, these flaky delights with their vibrant orange flavor are sure to please. Don't forget to store any extras in an airtight container for your next craving!
Related: Other Recipes Here:
- How to Make Panera’s Charged Lemonade at Home
- How to Make Panera Mac and Cheese at Home – Affordable & Fast
- How to Make Panera Autumn Squash Soup
Frequently Ask Questions
How do I make my scones rise and be fluffy?
Make sure your baking powder is fresh; it usually stays fresh for about 6 months after opening. To check, put 1 teaspoon of baking powder in a cup and add ⅓ cup of hot tap water. If it bubbles, it’s still good. If not, get some new baking powder!
Is it okay to use baking soda instead of baking powder in scones?
Yes, but baking soda is three times more potent than baking powder, so reduce to about ¾ teaspoon of baking soda in this recipe. It also needs acid to work; if you use orange juice, it should be fine.
What can I use besides milk/cream in my scones?
Other substitutes may not make scones as fluffy and tall, but they can still be used: buttermilk (especially good if you're using baking soda), evaporated or dry (reconstituted) milk, canned coconut milk or other plant-based milk will work, or you could even try yogurt or plain water.
Why do my scones spread?
- Make sure your oven is not too hot and not too cool, as many ovens do not accurately. Buy an oven thermometer to make sure, then adjust as needed.
- You may have also overworked the dough, be sure to bring dough together until just combined.
- Instead of pulling the scones apart completely, cut through them and gently separate them with the bench scraper. This helps the scones rise better and have a good structure, but you might need to bake them for a few extra minutes.
Why does my glaze fall off my scones?
There are two reasons: your scones weren't fully cooled, and/or you made the glaze too thin. Just add a bit more powdered sugar, a tablespoon at a time, until the glaze is the right consistency.
