Panera Bread Orange Scone Recipe

Panera Bread Orange Scones are tender, citrus-infused pastries topped with a sweet orange glaze, perfect for a bright morning treat. Ideally the butter should be frozen and grated into the flour mixture to create pockets of steam that result in a flaky, bakery-style texture.

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Panera Bread Orange Scone Recipe Ingredients

For the Scones:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, frozen
• 1 tbsp fresh orange zest (about 1 large orange)
• 1/2 cup heavy cream (plus extra for brushing)
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

For the Orange Glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 to 3 tbsp fresh orange juice
• 1 tsp fresh orange zest

How To Make Panera Bread Orange Scone Recipe

1. Prepare the Dry Base: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and 1 tablespoon of orange zest. Rub the zest into the sugar with your fingertips before mixing to release the aromatic oils.
2. Cut in the Butter: Grate the frozen butter directly into the flour mixture using a box grater. Toss the butter shreds with the flour gently until they are coated and distributed throughout the mix.
3. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate small bowl or jug, whisk together the heavy cream, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth.
4. Combine: Pour the wet ingredients into the flour and butter mixture. Use a fork or a rubber spatula to stir gently until a shaggy dough begins to form. Do not over-mix, or the scones will be tough.
5. Shape the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Gently knead it 3 or 4 times to bring it together. Pat the dough into a circle about 8 inches in diameter and 1 inch thick.
6. Cut Wedges: Use a sharp knife or a bench scraper to cut the circle into 8 equal triangular wedges. Place the wedges on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
7. Chill and Bake: Place the baking sheet in the freezer for 15 minutes (this relaxes the gluten and firms the fat). While chilling, preheat your oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Brush the tops of the chilled scones with a little heavy cream and bake for 18 to 22 minutes until they are golden brown.
8. Glaze: Whisk the powdered sugar, orange juice, and remaining zest until smooth. Drizzle the glaze generously over the scones while they are still slightly warm.

Recipe Tips

• Frozen Butter: Using frozen butter is the single most important tip for scones. It ensures the fat doesn’t melt while you are working the dough, which creates the flakey layers during baking.
• Heavy Cream vs. Milk: Panera scones are known for being rich and soft, almost like a cake. Using heavy cream provides the necessary fat content to achieve this “cream scone” texture.
• Zest Technique: When zesting the orange, avoid the white pith underneath the skin, as it is bitter. You only want the bright orange outer layer.
• Don’t Overwork: Handle the dough as little as possible. The heat from your hands can melt the butter. A “shaggy” dough is better than a smooth, tough one.

What To Serve With Panera Bread Orange Scone Recipe

Scone accompaniments are light, comforting additions frequently served to create a relaxing breakfast or tea-time break. Ideally the coffee should be a medium roast to complement the citrus notes without overwhelming the delicate vanilla flavor of the scone.

• A hot cup of medium-roast coffee or Earl Grey tea
• Panera Bread Green Tea (iced)
• A side of vanilla yogurt with fresh berries
• Softened salted butter or clotted cream

How To Store Panera Bread Orange Scone Recipe

• Room Temperature: Store the glazed scones in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Scones are best eaten fresh.
• Reheat: Reheat leftover scones in a toaster oven or standard oven at 350 degrees F for 5 minutes. The microwave tends to make them rubbery.
• Freeze: You can freeze the unbaked dough wedges for up to 3 months; bake them straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the bake time. Baked scones also freeze well; thaw at room temperature.

Panera Bread Orange Scone Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 380 kcal (per scone)
• Carbohydrates: 48g
• Protein: 5g
• Fat: 18g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 22g

Nutrition information is estimated per scone based on a yield of 8 servings.

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