Go Back
+ servings
Finished Scones
Print

Orange Cardamom Scones

Servings 14 scones
Author Brandon Matzek

Ingredients

For the scones:

  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup sugar, plus additional for sprinkling
  • 2 tablespoons baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cardamom*
  • 1 tablespoon grated orange zest
  • 3/4 pound cold unsalted butter, preferably frozen solid
  • 4 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 cup cold heavy cream
  • 1 egg beaten with 2 tablespoons water, for the egg wash

For the glaze:

  • 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 4 teaspoons freshly squeezed orange juice

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silpat and set aside. Combine flour, 1/4 cup sugar, baking powder, kosher salt, ground cardamom and orange zest in a large bowl, whisking to combine and aerate. Using the large holes on a box grater, grate butter, one stick at a time, into the dry ingredients. Stir frequently to incorporate the butter shavings into the dry mixture.
  • Whisk together eggs and heavy cream, then slowly pour into the bowl with the butter-flour mixture. You’ll want to stir as you’re pouring. I would recommend using a sturdy wooden spoon. Stir just until blended. The dough will be sticky.
  • Turn dough out on to a well-floured surface, and knead it into a ball. Before kneading, I like to lightly dust the top of the dough and my hands with flour to keep the dough from sticking. Flour a rolling pin and roll the dough to a 3/4-inch thickness. As you are rolling, turn the dough occasionally to keep it from sticking. Dip a 3-inch cookie cutter into flour and cut out circles of dough. Place scones on the prepared baking sheet (8 – 9 at a time). Reroll any scraps and cut as many circles as possible.
  • Brush the top of each scone with egg wash and sprinkle with sugar. Bake each batch of scones for 20 – 22 minutes until the scones are golden on top. Allow scones to cool for 15 minutes before glazing. While the scones are cooling, prepare the glaze. Combine confectioners’ sugar, cardamom and orange juice in a medium bowl, whisking until smooth. Drizzle over scones.

Notes

*Freshly ground cardamom has the best flavor. Place green cardamom pods into a mortar and pestle, and pound until the pods crack open and release the seeds within. Pick out pod shells, then finely grind seeds. If you don’t want to go through the trouble, you can certainly use pre ground cardamom.