pumpkin scones
flaky and soft pumpkin scones with maple icing
baked in September 2020
yield: 8 scones
prep time: 20 minutes
cook time: 25 minutes
difficulty level: medium
Ingredients
Scones
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (spoon & leveled)
- 2 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, frozen
- 1/3 cup + 2 Tablespoons heavy cream, divided
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree, blotted
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- optional: coarse sugar for sprinkling on top before baking
Icing
- 2 Tablespoons (1/4 stick) unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 cup sifted confectioners’ sugar
- pinch salt, to taste
Directions
For the scones:
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Adjust baking rack to the middle-low position. Line 1 or 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mat(s). Set aside.
- Whisk the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and salt together in a large bowl.
- Grate the frozen butter.
- Add the grated butter to the flour mixture and combine it with a pastry cutter, a fork, or your fingers until the mixture comes together in pea-sized crumbs. Set aside.
- Whisk 1/3 cup heavy cream, the egg, blotted pumpkin, brown sugar, and vanilla extract together in a small bowl.
- Drizzle the wet ingredients over the flour mixture and then mix it all together until everything appears moistened.
- With floured hands, work the dough into a ball as best you can and transfer onto a floured work surface.
- Press into a neat 8-inch disc and, with a very sharp knife, cut into 8 equal wedges.
- Place scones at least 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet(s).
- Using a pastry brush, brush scones with remaining heavy cream and sprinkle with coarse sugar, if desired.
- Bake the scones for 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a few minutes as you prepare the icing.
For the icing:
- In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the butter and maple syrup together, whisking occasionally.
- Once the butter has melted, remove from heat and whisk in the sifted confectioners’ sugar.
- Taste and add a pinch of salt if desired.
- Drizzle over warm scones.
Nutrition
- Total calories: 3,215
- Calories per scone: 402