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Cranberry Eggnog Scones

posted by Liz Berg on December 4, 2016 (updated 1/17/24)

Cranberry eggnog scones are tender, scrumptious, and spiked with eggnog! My go-to scones recipe is made with rich, heavy cream.

For a festive change of pace, I swapped out the cream for eggnog and made this tender Scones Recipe for the holidays!

Cranberry Eggnog Scones on a square white plate.

Table of Contents hide

1 Why You Must Make

2 What People Are Saying

3 Recipe Notes

4 Christmas Scones

5 Recipe Tips for Scones

6 What to Do with Leftover Eggnog

7 Frequently Asked Questions

8 You May Also Like:

9 Cranberry Eggnog Scones Recipe

Why You Must Make

Knowing my family would look suspiciously at anything I made containing both eggnog and cranberries, I had to bake up these scones for friends living outside this house (though I think they’d indulge if I served this Cranberry-Eggnog Cheesecake!). I meet with a group of knitters every other Friday morning, so they’ve gotten used to being my guinea pigs.

These are a fun treat for the Christmas season.
This is a tasty way to use up leftover eggnog.
If you’re having a Christmas brunch, these holiday scones would be a yummy addition to the menu.

What People Are Saying

I am obsessed with these! I made them for a Christmas tea my sister-in-law hosted. They were a hit!! I actually made the dough the night before and froze the pre-cut scones. In the morning I just placed them in the oven while frozen and they were fantastic! They don’t spread and are so creamy and delicious. I now have 2 batches made, cut, and ready in my freezer for grab and bake while the eggnog season is over! This recipe is incredible!

Recipe Notes

Kitchen Staples – Flour, Sugar, Salt
Butter – Make sure it’s cold, then dice into ¼-inch cubes
Baking Powder – As mentioned above, make sure your baking powder is fresh or your scones will be too dense.
Dried Cranberries AKA Craisins – If your craisins have dried out, you can refresh them by soaking them in some very hot water. Make sure to let them dry on paper toweling before using.
Eggnog – You may need a touch more or less depending on the humidity. Use just enough so the dough comes together.

Cranberry Eggnog Scones in a white ceramic bowl

Christmas Scones

My friends swooned when I shared my raspberry cream scones, so why not substitute dried cranberries for the raspberries and eggnog for the cream? One word: delectable! Just as tender as those made with cream, plus you get just a nuance of the eggnog flavorings.

The subtle hint of rum and nutmeg plus cranberries provided a festive twist. These cranberry eggnog scones would be a fabulous addition to your holiday brunch. Perfectly delicious plain or go ahead and splurge by serving with them clotted cream and jam.

Recipe Tips for Scones

PRO-Tip: Make sure your baking powder is fresh. It often expires before you can use it all. To test for freshness, place a spoonful of baking powder in a cup of very hot water. It should bubble vigorously if it’s still active. If not, replace your can before making this recipe. You don’t want your scones to be as dense as hockey pucks!
PRO-Tip: Keep your eggnog and butter cold. This will help make for flaky, tender scones.
Do not overwork the dough or your scones will be tough. You’ll want little bits of butter throughout, not a perfectly smooth dough.
If you feel your butter warmed up during the mixing process, pop your cut scones into the freezer to chill. They will rise much better with cold butter.
Bake and enjoy! Note that scones taste best on the day they’re baked.
PRO-Tip: Eggnog freezes well. Either freeze it in the carton or measure out the amounts needed for this or another recipe. Label with what it will be used for.

Cranberry Eggnog Scones on a square plate with fresh cranberries.

What to Do with Leftover Eggnog

I’m more likely to use eggnog for a festive recipe than actually drink it, so there are always leftovers. For most recipes, just substitute eggnog for milk or cream in a tried and true recipe. Here are some creative ways to use up any extra eggnog:

Scones, of course!
French toast
Quick bread and muffins
Cheesecake
Rice pudding
Homemade ice cream
Smoothies
Plus, I saw recipes for truffles, frosting, cookie bars, and fudge! Just do a Google search to find the details. In most of these recipes, eggnog can be used instead of the milk or cream in the recipe.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the Difference Between Scones and Biscuits?

Though they are similar, biscuits typically have more butter and are fluffier and flakier. Scones are denser, crumblier, and not as sweet.

When Do You Serve Scones?

Scones are usually served for breakfast or tea. They are served with coffee or tea, clotted cream, and jam.

Why Are My Scones Dry?

There are three top reasons scones turn out dry. First is kneading them too much. Mix just until they hold together. Also, make sure you cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture looks like cornmeal with a few pea-sized pieces of butter interspersed. Finally, not adding enough liquid will also make for dry scones.