Life has been a bit busier than usual since Easter. Following a visit to my parents' house for the holiday, I spent a few days working in Asheville, NC, and then came home to celebrate my husband's birthday prior to the weekend. Admittedly, I've not been spending much time in the kitchen. I have, however, been spending a lot of time catching up on laundry. I hope that changes for the better this week. Yet, even when time is sparse, one can (and should) find 30 minutes in their day for making scones.

This recipe for cranberry and orange scones has been in my repertoire for over a decade, and it's not going anywhere anytime soon. The tartness from the dried cranberries mixed with orange zest is a beautiful combination for a sweet treat. I love to enjoy these scones fresh out of the oven with my morning cup of coffee, or I'll save one for le goûter (the French equivalent to afternoon tea). That is assuming there’s a scone left to save. A family of five can eat their way through eight scones in one sitting. If this sounds like your house, I might suggest you double the recipe.

These cranberry and orange scones are simply elegant and rustic. Plus, they are quite simple to make! You can mix it all by hand — no tools required. Just be sure to have butter and buttermilk in your refrigerator. Both ingredients are critical for producing those mouthwatering layers of biscuit.

I hope you enjoy them!