Join the club! Subscribe Here

  • About
  • Collaborate
  • Shop
  • Subscribe
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Fresh Cooky new logo.

The Fresh Cooky

Real Food with a Healthy Twist

  • Recipes
    • Recipe Index
    • By Course
      • Apps & Snacks
      • Breads
      • Drinks
      • Main Dishes
      • Salads & Dressings
      • Sandwiches
      • Sauces & Condiments
      • Side Dishes
      • Soups & Stews
      • Sweets
    • By Cuisine
      • Asian
      • German
      • Italian
      • Mediterranean
      • Mexican
    • By Diet
      • Egg-Free
      • Gluten-Free
      • Low Carb
      • Vegetarian
    • By Meal Type
      • 30 Minute Meals
      • Breakfast
      • Brunch
      • Lunch
      • Dinner
      • Easy Weeknight
      • Freezer Friendly
      • Kid-Friendly
      • Make Ahead
      • Copycat
    • By Method
      • Air Fryer
      • Crockpot
      • Grilled
      • Instant Pot
      • One Pot
      • Sheet Pan
      • Stovetop
  • Holidays
    • Patriotic Recipes
  • Most Popular
  • For Subscribers
Recipes › Courses › Sweets › Scones
120 Comments

Easy Glazed Orange Scones Recipe (Panera)

Kathleen

by Kathleen Pope May 14, 2025

Jump to Recipe

Orange Scone Pin with close up image of several scones on a black plate.
Pin for best orange scones with image of single scone on white plate with wedge of orange and a fork.
Pin for better than Panera Orange Scones with image of scones on a wire rack with glaze dripping from the scones.

Light, tender, moist, and flaky Orange Scones are a spot-on Panera Bread orange scone recipe! Cream scones are made with fresh orange juice and zest, bursting with bright citrus flavor. Glazed with fresh orange icing, tastes like spring!

Florence Raved: “One of the best Scone recipe’s I have ever made (AND I have made plenty) they turned out perfectly, as instructed. Anyone who has never made scones before may be intimidated about trying them, BUT they shouldn’t with this recipe! Thank you! My husband Thanks you too!!!“

Orange Scone copycat Panera recipe on plate with fork and slice of orange.
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure & privacy policy.
  • Panera Orange Scone Copycat
  • Why You Will Love this Panera Orange Scone Recipe
  • Watch our video to make orange scones
  • Simple Ingredients for Orange Scones
  • Zesting Tips
  • How to make Orange Scones
    • Step 1 | Prep Ingredients and Oven
    • Step 2 | Make Easy Orange Scones
    • Step 3 | Form Scones
    • Step 4 | Freeze Orange Scones to Set
    • How to Make Orange Butter Sweet Glaze
  • Pro Glazing Tips
  • Variations & Substitutions
    • Gluten-Free Orange Scones
    • How to Make Mini Orange Scones
  • Orange Scone Glazing Tips
  • Storing Orange Scones
    • Make-Ahead and Freeze Orange Scones
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • High Altitude Orange Scone Recipe
  • Best breakfast foods to serve with orange scones
  • More great scone and baked goods recipes:
  • Our favorite springtime baked goods!
    • When to make this recipe?
  • More from The Fresh Cooky
  • Easy Glazed Orange Scones with Fresh Orange

Our youngest has had a long-standing obsession with orange scones from Panera and I thought it was high time I made a copycat version we can enjoy at home. Check out the comments for all of the rave reviews on this Panera Bread orange scone recipe.

Panera Orange Scone Copycat

Have you ever just bit into something and knew immediately you were 100% in love?

This Panera Bread Orange Scone recipe is so easy, made with fresh orange juice, and orange zest, the citrus is literally bursting! You will fall in love too!

Why You Will Love this Panera Orange Scone Recipe

  • We love cream scones and this orange scone recipe is a delicious cross between a muffin, a biscuit and quick bread.
  • Scones are in a league all their own, less sweet than a muffin, more biscuit than quick bread! Be sure to browse to the bottom for many more fabulous scone recipes!
  • Better-than-Panera | You be the judge, the comments speak volumes!
Orange scones on black plate with slices of orange.

Watch our video to make orange scones

Simple Ingredients for Orange Scones

  • All-purpose Flour: I used organic, unbleached all-purpose flour, or use Gluten Free All-purpose flour along with a small amount of oat flour (¼ cup).
  • Sugar: Just enough to sweeten it up a bit, I use all-natural cane sugar. Some have said they aren’t sweet enough, you may add up to ½ a cup!
  • Butter: I believe in real cream butter — if it’s soft coming out of the fridge, it’s not real butter, but a blend. For scones, splurge for European butter with more butterfat and less water added–after all, you don’t make them every day!
  • Heavy Cream: Use the real stuff; this allows the scone to rise, be fluffy and tender.
  • Egg: I use large eggs in all my baking; bring to room temperature (if you forget, you can place the egg in a bowl of warm (not hot) water for 5-7 minutes.
  • Vanilla Bean Paste: Adds beautiful flecks of vanilla bean, aromatic and subtle, enhancing other flavors. You may substitute vanilla extract.
  • Zest & Juice: This is the essence of the orange scone, fresh zested orange peel, and a splash of juice.

Get the full recipe in the recipe card below.

Panera Orange Scones recipe ingredients L-R all purpose flour, heavy cream, grated butter, oranges for zest and juice, vanilla bean paste, egg, baking powder, salt, sugar.
Try Amazon Fresh Today!

Zesting Tips

  • Ever grated a knuckle while trying to zest citrus? I have the tool for you! This Microplane zester is one of my most used and favorite kitchen tools! And makes short work to a lot of zest!

You might love these other scone recipes, too: Glazed Berry Scones and Cinnamon Crunch Scone, or these Cinnamon Chip Scones. Be sure to read to the end for many more great scone recipes.

How to make Orange Scones

Step 1 | Prep Ingredients and Oven

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, whisk flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt together. Preheat oven to 400°F (240°C).

process shots for orange scones 1) adding sugar to flour 2) adding baking powder and salt to mixture.

Grate butter using a box grater, then place in the freezer until ready to use. Or chop into small chunks, also placing in the freezer until ready to use.

Zest orange(s) and juice the orange, set aside.

Step 2 | Make Easy Orange Scones

Toss frozen, grated butter into the flour mixture using a pastry cutter or your hands. Quickly mix until it resembles coarse crumbs.

Orange scone process shots 3) grated butter in dry ingredients 4) adding egg to cream.

In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk wet ingredients together; the heavy cream, vanilla bean paste, egg, orange zest and a splash of orange juice.

adding vanilla bean paste and orange zest to orange scone liquids.

Make a small well in the center of the dry ingredients and then pour in egg mixture.

Gently mix with a fork until the dough just comes together, forming a shaggy dough.

orange scone process shot adding liquid to dry ingredients and mixing with fork to form shaggy dough.

Step 3 | Form Scones

Turn out the dough onto a parchment-lined cookie sheet or a lightly floured surface. Using the parchment paper to help shape and bring the dough together into a disc, about ½ – ¾ inch thick. Make one large dough disc or two smaller discs for mini Panera scones.

If the dough is really dry, add a little splash of orange juice or heavy cream (just a few dribbles and work it in quickly). See TIPS below.

Orange scone process shots shaggy dough on parchment lined baking sheet and dough pressed into disc using the parchment paper.

Using a bench scraper or large knife cut the disc in half, then quarters, then again cutting the quarters in half; making 8 large scones (see below for mini scones).

Separate scones away from the other. Keeping them closer to one another will yield a more even-raised scone. Further apart they will appear more rustic, which was what I was going for in these orange scones.

process shots for orange scones panera copycat, bench scraper cutting scones and scones separated onto parchment lined baking sheet.

Step 4 | Freeze Orange Scones to Set

Freeze or refrigerate scones to firm the butter back up for about 10-30 minutes; now is a great time to preheat the oven to 400° F (204°C).

Bake the orangescones until lightly golden brown on the bottom, about 13-15 minutes, 13 will be softer and a little more tender, and 15 minutes will yield a more firm, dryer scone. Remove to a rack to cool completely.

Did you know all ovens heat differently? Many of them are off by 25-50 degrees, be sure to invest in a good (though cheap) oven thermometer, so you know if your oven runs hot or cold, then adjust your temperature accordingly.

How to Make Orange Butter Sweet Glaze

The orange glaze is optional (but amazing), gather the following ingredients:

Labeled orange glaze ingredients.

In a medium bowl mix together the powdered sugar, orange zest, melted butter, vanilla bean paste and orange juice; whisk until smooth.

You may use ¼ – ½ teaspoon of orange extract in place of the orange juice and orange zest, but I guarantee it won’t taste as good!

process shots for orange vanilla scones glaze adding zest to powdered sugar and adding melted butter.
process shots for orange scones glaze. Adding Orange juice and whisked and smooth orange glaze.

Once the scones are cool, one at a time, carefully pick up and dip the scone top into the orange glaze to coat, then return to the rack to set the glaze.

Alternatively, you can cool the scones completely and pour the orange glaze into a freeze bag, snip off the corner (just a bit), and swirl the glaze on top of your version of Panera’s orange scones.

process shot for orange scones dipping into glaze and then setting on a wire rack.

Pro Glazing Tips

  • Liquid | Whisk in a few tablespoons of juice at a time until the consistency is thick, yet pourable.
  • Wire Rack | Using your same baking sheet or parchment, set a wire rack over the top then place scones on it to set the glaze.
  • Leftover glaze | Using a spoon or spatula, add a little extra drizzle to each scone!

Variations & Substitutions

  • Food Processor Orange Scones: Combine all dry ingredients in a food processer, and pulse to combine. Add the grated or cubed butter, pulsing just until it resembles a coarse meal. Pour combined wet ingredients in, pulse just a few times to wet dry ingredients, then turn onto a floured surface and proceed with the recipe.
  • Make Ahead: Make the scones, cutting them into wedges, then wrap the dough disc tightly in plastic wrap, place in a freezer bag, and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen (separating slightly) on a lightly greased baking sheet or parchment-lined cookie sheet.
  • Make Blueberry Scone: Omit the orange juice and zest (replace with a little lemon zest instead) and stir in a cup of fresh or frozen blueberries carefully into the mixture at the same time as adding the wet ingredients.
  • Sweeter Orange Scones: Some like their scones sweeter, add up to an additional ¼ cup sugar if sweet scones are desired.
  • Cranberry Orange Scones: Pop over to my Cranberry Orange Scones post for all of the details!
Orange scones on pedestal and one on a plate with a fork.

Gluten-Free Orange Scones

I have had a lot of success replacing regular flour with a good cup-for-cup gluten-free flour (Bob’s Red Mill comes in a close second) in my baked goods!

  • I will use 1 cup GF Flour and replace the remaining ¾ cup flour with a portion of almond flour and oat flour; not only do I believe they taste better, but the texture is better too.
  • Gluten-free flours tend to soak up more liquid; use good judgment, and, if necessary, add more liquid a teaspoon or two at a time until you have a good consistency.
  • Overbaked gluten-free baked goods are dry and yucky, so I always check my gluten-free scones 2-3 minutes before the lowest time. Keep an eye on them, and when they are puffed and no longer glossy, it’s probably safe to remove them. And if they are slightly undercooked, no worries; it’s much better than overbaked.

How to Make Mini Orange Scones

  • When forming the dough discs, split the dough into two even portions on their own parchment sheets.
  • Proceed with shaping into a smaller disc and cutting the same way, yielding 8 smaller petite scones per disc.
  • Baking time and temp will be the same, but check them on the earlier side at about 12 minutes.
Panera bread orange scone recipe on wooden tray with three scones.

Orange Scone Glazing Tips

  • COLD BUTTER: I grate my butter using a standard box grater and place it in the freezer while assembling the rest of my ingredients.
  • REAL BUTTER: I cannot stress this enough: it doesn’t matter if you use salted or unsalted butter, but make sure it is real, pure cream butter, no blends! It is not real butter if it is soft coming out of the fridge. And the higher quality the butter (e.g. European butter) the better the result. Cheaper butters contain water and that will impact your scones!
  • COLD CREAM OR MILK | Unlike other baking recipes (chocolate loaf cake) that, like room temperature ingredients, scones do not! Keep the cream in the fridge until ready to use.
  • DO NOT OVERWORK | Think of scones as the dainty, delicate cousin to yeast bread; whereas yeast bread thrives on kneading to activate the ingredients, scones will become tough and will not rise as well if the dough is overworked.
  • USE A PASTRY CUTTER | To cut in the butter, using a pastry cutter keeps warm hands out, the beauty of grating the butter and freezing it allows you to quickly mix with your hands without warming the dough too much. And my hands are always cold anyway!
  • LIQUID | Only add enough liquid to bring the dough together, having some extra flour is okay, the dough will look shaggy (see above picture).
  • SHAPING | To quickly and easily shape your scone disc, use parchment paper (or wax paper would work, too) and fold it up on the ingredients, using the paper to press together and smooth the dough into the disc. This contains the floury mess and helps your hands not warm the butter too much.
  • CHILL AGAIN | Once your scones are formed, place the entire pan in the freezer or fridge for 10-30 minutes. This gives the scone time to firm the butter back up, chilling it so the magic happens when it hits the hot oven.

Storing Orange Scones

Store scones on the counter in an airtight container up to 5 days, or pretend you are a bakery and wrap them individually and place them in a pretty covered cake stand. Scones may also be frozen for 3-4 months and wrapped well.

Make-Ahead and Freeze Orange Scones

Scones are fabulous make-ahead treats! You can make the scones up to the point of baking, wrap well in freezer baggie and freeze up to 3-4 months. Bake as directed, possibly adding a little time at the end.

You may also freeze already baked scones, the same way, wrapped well in an airtight container up to 3 months. I recommend that you freeze un-glazed, but if that is your only choice, they will be fine.

Four orange glazed scones on a pretty plate.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get my scones to rise and be fluffy?

Make sure your baking powder is fresh; most baking powder and baking soda are fresh for about 6 months from opening.

To check place 1 teaspoon baking powder in a cup and add ⅓ cup hot tap water. If it starts to bubble, it’s good to go. If not, by new!

Can I use baking soda instead of baking powder in scones?

The short answer is yes! However, baking soda is three times more potent than baking powder, so reduce to about ¾ teaspoon of baking soda in this recipe. It also relies on acid to activate the soda; using orange juice, you should be fine.

What can I use besides milk/cream in my scones?

Other replacements might not produce as fluffy and high rise in scones, but are usable: buttermilk (would be good if you are 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 even plain water.

Why do my scones spread?

1. Make sure your oven heats accurately. Purchase an oven thermometer to be sure, then adjust accordingly.
2. Do not overwork your dough!
3. Instead of separating the scones completely, cut through them and use the bench scraper to just barely pull the scone away from the other one, this will give structure and rise to the scone, though you may need to bake a few additional minutes.
4. CHILL your scones, this firms the butter back up so that it doesn’t become a puddle as soon as it hits the oven heat!

Why does my glaze fall off my scones?

Two reasons; your scones were not cooled completely and/or you thinned out the glaze too much. Simply add a bit more powdered sugar a tablespoon at a time until the glaze is the right consistency.

Panera Orange Scone with slice of orange.

High Altitude Orange Scone Recipe

  • Decrease baking powder to 1 ½ teaspoons.
  • If above 7,000 feet, add an additional 1-2 tablespoons flour
  • You may need to increase liquid, but do not overadd. The scones should really just barely hold together.
  • Bake as directed, but begin checking them 2-3 minutes early.
Single Orange Scone on a plate with slices of fresh orange behind.

Best breakfast foods to serve with orange scones

Make it a feast! Enjoy this Prosciutto quiche, or this easy Chile Relleno Casserole and make these Breakfast Sausage Links in Air Fryer!

More great scone and baked goods recipes:

  • Eggnog Scones with White Chocolate Glaze | a holiday treat
  • Cinnamon Chip Scones
  • Maple Pumpkin Scones| all the Fall feels!
  • Blueberry Streusel Muffin Cake | It’s the (blueberry) bomb!
  • Cinnamon Swirl Cake recipe
  • Lemon Rosemary Scones | Hello bright flavors!
  • Blackberry Scones | a serious spring or summer obsession!
  • Savory Ricotta Scones | be still my Italian beating heart!
  • Chocolate Chip Scones | from a scone lover like me!
  • Gluten Free Coffee Cake | not just for gluten-free folks! Amazing!

Our favorite springtime baked goods!

  • Lemon Blueberry Cookies – I’m telling you, these are amazing!
  • Old Fashioned Rhubarb Cake – always a hit
  • Lemon Blueberry Dump Cake Recipe – as easy as 1-2-3 dump
  • Strawberry Brownies

When to make this recipe?

Try making these Better than Panera orange scones for Easter, Mother’s day, bridal or baby showers, a luncheon, tea party or anytime a bright, flavorful, low-sugar scone craving hits!

I hope you loved this easy orange scone recipe — if you did, would you share your creation on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest? And be sure to comment below!

More from The Fresh Cooky

  • Steak Sandwich Recipe
  • Homemade Sloppy Joe
  • Easy Queso Recipe
  • Wassail Recipe Traditional
  • Christmas Margaritas
  • Pfeffernüsse
  • Cowboy Crack Dip
  • Olive Garden Chicken
  • How To Make Sugared Cranberries
  • 3 Ingredient Pie Crust
  • Corn Casserole Recipe without Jiffy Mix
  • Chicken Salad Chick Copycat
  • Peach Cobbler Cake
  • Traditional Tiramisu Recipe
  • Grilled Nuggets Chick Fil A
  • Starbucks White Hot Chocolate
  • Whole Chicken in Instant Pot
  • Freezer Jam Recipe

Like this recipe?

Don’t forget to give it a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating and leave a comment below the recipe!

Recipe Card
Orange Scone copycat Panera recipe on plate with fork and slice of orange.

Easy Glazed Orange Scones with Fresh Orange

5 from 35 readers
Author: Kathleen Pope
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
Chill Time: 10 minutes minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes minutes
Servings: 8 regular scones, 16 mini scones
Print Pin SaveSaved!
Light, tender, moist and flaky Orange Cream Scones are better than Panera! Made with fresh orange juice and zest, these scones are bursting with bright orange flavor while not overwhelming the scone. Glazed with fresh orange vanilla butter icing, bound to bring a smile to anyone!

Video

Equipment

  • Dough Bench Scraper/Cutter/Chopper Stainless Steel 
  • Microplane Premium Classic Series Zester Grater
  • USA Pan Half Sheet Baking Pan and Bakeable Nonstick Cooling Rack

Ingredients 
US Customary – Metric

Orange Scones

  • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour I use organic unbleached all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar I use all-natural cane sugar, regular sugar may be used (some say they like sweeter scones, add up to ½ cup total)
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder reduce to 1 ½ teaspoons for high altitude
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 4 tablespoons salted butter cold, grate the butter and place in freezer or cut into small cubes, keep in fridge until ready to use)
  • ½ cup heavy cream might need an extra tablespoon or two for high altitude
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste replace with vanilla extract
  • 1 large egg room temp is best
  • 1 tablespoon Orange zest grated from one orange | I used large naval oranges
  • 1-2 tablespoons orange juice fresh squeezed

Orange Vanilla Butter Glaze

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon butter melted
  • 1 orange zested
  • ½ orange Juiced, use as much or as little to get a smooth consistency.
Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

Scones

  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large mixing bowl, whisk the flour (1 ¾ cups), granulated sugar (¼ cup), baking powder (2 tsp) and salt (¼ tsp) together.
    1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour, ¼ cup granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons baking powder, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • Toss frozen, grated butter (4 TBL) into flour mixture and using a pastry cutter or your hands quickly mix until it resembles coarse crumbs.
    4 tablespoons salted butter
  • In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the heavy cream (½ cup), vanilla bean paste or extract (1 tsp), egg (1), orange zest (1 TBL) and orange juice (1-2 TBL).
    Make a small well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the egg mixture. Gently mix together with a fork until the dough just comes together, forming a shaggy dough.
    ½ cup heavy cream, 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste, 1 large egg, 1 tablespoon Orange zest
  • Turn out the dough onto a parchment lined cookie sheet, using the parchment to help form the dough into disc (about 8 inches), about ½ – ¾-inch thick. If the dough is really dry, add a little splash of orange juice or heavy cream.
  • Using a bench scraper or large knife cut the disc in half, then quarters, then again cutting the quarters in half; making 8 large scones (see below for mini scones).
  • Separate scones barely away from the other, closer to one another will yield a more evenly raised scone, further apart they will appear more rustic. Freeze or refrigerate scones to firm the butter back up for about 10-30 minutes, now is a great time to preheat the oven to 400° F (204°C).
  • Bake scones until lightly golden brown on the bottom, about 13-15 minutes, 13 will be softer, 15 more firm. Remove to a rack to cool completely.

Orange Butter Glaze

  • In a wide bowl (large enough to dunk a scone) mix together the powdered sugar (1 cup), orange zest (1 orange), melted butter (1 TBL), vanilla bean paste (½ tsp) anand whisk in just enough orange juice to get a smooth pourable consistency; whisk until smooth.
    Once scones are cool, one at a time, carefully pick up and dip scone top into the orange glaze to coat, then return to the rack to set the glaze.
    1-2 tablespoons orange juice, 1 cup powdered sugar, ½ teaspoon vanilla bean paste, 1 tablespoon butter, 1 orange zested, ½ orange
  • Store scones on counter in airtight container up to 5 days, or wrap individually and place in a pretty covered cake stand. Scones may also be frozen 3-4 months wrapped well.
Last step! Leave a RatingRate this recipe here. This helps other readers and helps support this website.

Notes

Make-ahead orange scones | Scones are fabulous make-ahead treats! You can make the scones up to the point of baking, wrap well and freeze up to 4 months. Bake as directed, possibly adding a little time at the end. You may also freeze already baked scones, the same way, wrapped well in an airtight container up to 4 months. I recommend that you freeze un-glazed, but if that is your only choice, they will just be a bit sticky as they thaw.
For Smaller Scones (Mini Scones)
  • When forming the dough discs, split the dough into two even portions on their own parchment sheets.
  • Proceed with shaping into a smaller disc and cutting the same way, yielding 8 smaller petite scones per disc.
  • Baking time and temp will be the same, but check them on the earlier side at about 12 minutes.
Glazing Tips
  • Liquid | When adding fresh squeezed orange juice, whisk in a few tablespoons at a time until the consistency is thick, yet pourable.
  • Wire Rack | This makes clean-up and setting so much simpler. Using your same baking pan, and parchment, set a wire rack over the top then use it to place scones on to set the glaze.
  • Glaze falls off | If the glaze falls off or soaks in, it’s one of two things. Your scones are not cooled and/or you thinned out the glaze too much. Simply add a bit more powdered sugar a tablespoon at a time until the glaze is the right consistency.
  • Leftover glaze | add a little extra drizzle to each scone with a spoon or spatula!

8 Baking Tips for Making Better Scones

  • COLD BUTTER | I grate my butter using a standard box grater and place it in the freezer while assembling the rest of my ingredients.
  • REAL BUTTER | I cannot stress this enough: it doesn’t matter if you use salted or unsalted butter, but make sure it is real, pure cream butter, no blends! It is not real butter if it is soft coming out of the fridge. And the higher quality the butter (e.g. European butter) the better the result. Cheaper butters contain water and that will impact your scones!
  • COLD CREAM OR MILK | Unlike other baking recipes (chocolate loaf cake) that, like room temperature ingredients, scones do not! Keep the cream in the fridge until ready to use.
  • DO NOT OVERWORK | Think of scones as the dainty, delicate cousin to yeast bread; whereas yeast bread thrives on kneading to activate the ingredients, scones will become tough and will not rise as well if the dough is overworked.
  • USE A PASTRY CUTTER | To cut in the butter, using a pastry cutter keeps warm hands out, the beauty of grating the butter and freezing it allows you to quickly mix with your hands without warming the dough too much. And my hands are always cold anyway!
  • LIQUID | Only add enough liquid to bring the dough together, having some extra flour is okay, the dough will look shaggy (see above picture).
  • SHAPING | To quickly and easily shape your scone disc, use parchment paper (or wax paper would work, too) and fold it up on the ingredients, using the paper to press together and smooth the dough into the disc. This contains the floury mess and helps your hands not warm the butter too much.
  • CHILL AGAIN | Once your scones are formed, place the entire pan in the freezer or fridge for 10-30 minutes. This gives the scone time to firm the butter back up, chilling it so the magic happens when it hits the hot oven.

Nutrition

Serving: 1scone | Calories: 355kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 175mg | Sodium: 293mg | Potassium: 104mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 647IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 97mg | Iron: 2mg
Orange Scone copycat Panera recipe on plate with fork and slice of orange.
Did you make my Easy Glazed Orange Scones with Fresh Orange?Show it off! Share on Instagram, tag @thefreshcooky, and use the hashtag #thefreshcooky!
Tag on Insta Leave a Rating

Share This!

40.4K shares
  • Share
  • Flipboard
  • Email
  • SMS

My Signature Recipes!

The recipes everyone asks for (plus a few I can't stop making)

Kathleen Pope

Meet Kathleen

Recipe Innovator | Food Photographer | Food Writer

Hi, I’m Kathleen Pope. Here at The Fresh Cooky you will find easy, mostly from-scratch, trusted recipes for all occasions. From speedy dinners to tasty desserts, with easy step-by-step instructions. I am here to help teach you how to make mouthwatering recipes without spending hours in the kitchen.

Read More

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter / X
  • Mastadon

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Rate & Comment Cancel reply

    Have a question, comment, or suggestions about this recipe? If you had any trouble, I would love a chance to help you troubleshoot before you rate. Constructive criticism is welcome, but please be respectful. Rude or inappropriate comments will not be approved. Your email address will not be published.

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. Debbie

    Thu, Jul 3, 2025 at 3:41 pm

    5 stars
    Best scones ever!!

    Reply
    • KathleenKathleen Pope

      Thu, Jul 3, 2025 at 8:01 pm

      Thank you, Debbie!!

      Reply
  2. Joyce D

    Thu, Jun 26, 2025 at 9:53 pm

    5 stars
    These scones are not only delicious, they are easy to make! Using the parchment paper to flatten them-genius! Directions are clear and appreciate putting each step’s ingredients so I didn’t need to scroll back up to the list! Mine were a bit soft, didn’t cook well in the middle. (will only use 1 tbsp orange juice next time) I turned them around and baked a few minutes more and they were perfect! I will definitely make these again. Hope my son, whose birthday is today, will like them too! Thanks.

    Reply
    • KathleenKathleen Pope

      Sun, Jun 29, 2025 at 3:47 pm

      So happy you love my little trick Joyce, thank you so much for your kind comment!

      Reply
  3. PJ F

    Thu, Jun 26, 2025 at 3:48 pm

    5 stars
    I made these today after trying a few other “copycats”. This was by far the best. Nailed it. Excited to try some of your other recipes. Also making these Lemon Rosemary scones. Amazing! Thank you!!!!

    Reply
    • KathleenKathleen Pope

      Thu, Jun 26, 2025 at 7:11 pm

      I love hearing that PJ! Thank you so much!

      Reply
  4. Erin Corbin

    Wed, Jun 11, 2025 at 10:10 pm

    These look delicious and I can’t wait to try them! I have been looking for a copycat recipe for Panera Bread’s orange scones for years! I love everything about the scones – except the orange zest….. So my question is: if I were to omit the orange zest from the scones, would you recommend adding orange extract to the scone batter/ingredients itself?

    Reply
    • KathleenKathleen Pope

      Thu, Jun 12, 2025 at 7:33 pm

      Sorry about the delay Erin, yes, I would give orange extract a try, the zest really adds the orangey flavor — start small depending on the type of extract. Hope you love them as much as we do!

      Reply
  5. Wendi Shepherd

    Thu, Jun 5, 2025 at 10:03 am

    5 stars
    I love this recipe. I in fact, love Panera’s Orange scones, and have been looking for a recipe that is equal to or better than the Panera scones. I have finally found it in your recipe. I will continue to use this recipe for the rest of my baking days. Thank you!

    Reply
    • KathleenKathleen Pope

      Thu, Jun 5, 2025 at 10:52 am

      Thank you so much, Wendy!!

      Reply
  6. Mary Ensman

    Wed, May 14, 2025 at 6:27 pm

    5 stars
    Should I glaze the scones when I make them if I want to make them a few days ahead of my event? Or instead, do I glaze them the day I am going to be using them?

    Reply
    • KathleenKathleen Pope

      Wed, May 14, 2025 at 7:15 pm

      Hi Mary, I’d freeze them unglazed wrapped well. Then thaw and glaze them the day you’re using them. They should taste nice and fresh.

      Reply
« Older Comments

Primary Sidebar

Kathleen Pope

Meet Kathleen

Hey there! I'm Kathleen Pope, a proud wife, mom of two awesome college boys, and recipe nerd. Welcome to my world of easy recipes with a healthy twist! Join thousands who trust The Fresh Cooky as their go-to recipe source. Let's cook up some magic!

Read More

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter / X
  • Mastadon

My Signature Recipes!

The recipes everyone asks for (plus a few I can't stop making)

Trending Now

  • Crumbl cookie with milk chocolate chips.Copycat Crumbl Chocolate Chip Cookie
  • Square image of whole easy key lime pie with dollops of whipped cream and decorated with wedges of key limes.Award Winning Recipe for Key Lime Pie
  • Easy and Quick Pizza Dough Recipe with dough on floured surface square.Easy No Rise Pizza Dough Recipe
  • Best shaved steak recipes, round up picture with Philly cheesesteak, steak bomb, steak fajitas and stuffed peppers.39 Best Shaved Steak Recipes (Easy Steak Meals)
  • Philly cheese steak sandwich on a tray with french fries surrounding it.Best Philly Cheesesteak Recipe
  • Classic Carol chicken salad in bowl and scooped onto lettuce on plates with crackers and dill pickle spears.Chicken Salad Chick Classic Carol
The Fresh Cooky
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter / X
  • Mastadon

Subscribe Now

by Course

  • Appetizers & Snacks
  • Breads
  • Drinks
  • Main Dishes
  • Salads & Dressings
  • Sauces & Condiments
  • Side Dishes
  • Sweets

Holidays

  • Thanksgiving
  • Holiday Appetizers
  • Holiday Breakfast
  • Holiday Drinks
  • Holiday Main Dish
  • Holiday Side Dish
  • Holiday Sweets
  • Game Day Recipes

By Cuisine

  • Asian
  • German
  • Italian
  • Mexican

By Diet

  • Gluten-Free
  • Low Carb
  • Vegetarian

By Meal Type

  • 30 Minute Meals
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Easy Weeknight Meals
  • Freezer Meals
  • Kid-Friendly
  • Make Ahead

By Method

  • Air Fryer
  • Crockpot
  • Grilled
  • Instant Pot
  • One Pot
  • Sheet Pan
  • Stovetop
  • About
  • Contact
  • Shop
  • Subscribe

Copyright © 2025 · The Fresh Cooky · Privacy & Disclosure Policy

40.4K shares
  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Flipboard
  • Email

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




Let us know what you thought of this recipe:

This worked exactly as written, thanks!
My family loved this!
Thank you for sharing this recipe.

Or write in your own words:

A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required