Step 1

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Line or grease a large baking sheet.

Step 2

Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl: flour, sugar, zest, baking powder, salt, and baking soda.

Step 3

Cut in the pieces of butter with a pastry cutter or stand mixer until mixture looks like coarse crumbs with a few pea size pieces. Stir in the cranberries with a spoon.

Step 4

In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together orange juice, buttermilk, and egg.

Step 5

Add the milk mixture to the flour mixture and stir gently until no flour streaks remain.

Step 6

Turn dough onto floured surface (it is a wet dough - flour hands well, too). Knead 6-7 times, keeping surface floured to prevent sticking. Pat and shape into an 8-inch circle and cut into 10 wedges. Separate and place wedges on prepared baking sheet 1-2 inches apart.

Step 7

Brush tops with tablespoon of milk or cream. Sprinkle with sugar if using.

Step 8

Bake for about 12 minutes or until just lightly browned.

Step 9

Let cool slightly on pan before serving warm.**