Note to self: I absolutely love the orange scones from Panera and decided to create my own version at home. Mid way I was inspired and added some saffron and I kind of wished I added a bit more because it wasn’t as prominent but it was great warm. The other thing I would change is make them a little thinner. But other than that it was really fun and yummy and took no time at all!

Ingredients:

Dry Ingredients:

• 2 cups flour
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp orange zest
• 1/2 cup cubed cold butter

Wet Ingredients:

• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• a few strands of saffron
• 1 tbsp freshly squeezed orange juice
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Assembly Ingredients:

• Heavy cream for brushing the tops
• Sugar in the raw to sprinkle on the top

Glaze Ingredients:

• 3 tbsp melted butter
• A few pinches of saffron threads
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp freshly squeezed orange juice
• 1 tsp orange zest
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Directions:

1. In a large bowl mix all the dry ingredients together in a bowl. Then add cubed cold butter and cut into the dry ingredients with a pastry cutter until it resembles coarse crumbles.
2. In a small bowl add 1/4 cup heavy cream add a few saffron threads. Let is sit for few minutes.
3. Add all the wet ingredients into a medium bowl and mix well.
4. Slowly mix wet ingredients into dry ingredients and mix until it comes together. Be careful not to over mix or the scones will come out tough.
5. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
6. Turn over the dough onto a floured surface, and bring together by patting and pressing until it’s thinned out to a one inch tall circle.
7. Cut into 8 pieces and place onto a parchment lined baking tray.
8. Brush the tops of the scones with some heavy cream and sprinkle with some sugar in the raw.
9. Bake the scones for 15 minutes and let them rest on a wire rack.
10. In a small bowl add all the glaze ingredients and mix well.
11. Dip the scones in the glaze and let them rest on the wire rack. (You can also double dip the scones in the glaze for extra sweetness and flavor! Enjoy warm!
12. Tip: Reheat for a few seconds in the microwave the next day!