Sunday, October 17, 2010

Pumpkin Scones


I seem to be a bit behind the power curve, but I'm finally beginning to channel my inner pumpkin!  Pumpkin Pancakes have been the breakfast of choice more than once in the last few weeks and after reading on a now forgotten blog that there might be a pumpkin shortage I picked up a number of cans on a recent Trader Joe's run.  Cold, drizzly San Diego is definitely urging me in the comfort food direction and today Pumpkin Scones seemed to fit the bill.  

A search for recipes didn't provide many variances, and Starbucks seems to have the recipe of choice.  Though I have not actually had the scones from the coffee house itself, the highly recommended and gushed over recipe appeared to be a must try.  Similar recipes turned up over and over from the Brown Eyed Baker blog to WeHeartFood to Pennies on a Platter and on to numerous others.  Seems this is "the" recipe to try!  

Our version is very close to the others - only a bit of tweaking to suit our tastes.  I substituted spelt flour for some of the all-purpose with the sole intention of making me feel like I was making the pastries somewhat healthier (you may use all all-purpose if you don't have spelt).  With cinnamon and ginger high on our spice list I increased those and decreased the clove to all but a pinch.  Amazing that just a pinch of clove is still noticeable to our sensitive taste buds... not really a favorite flavor, but definitely missed if deleted completely.

Tender pastry is then topped with an egg wash and my favorite raw sugar to give that oft desired crunch.  Glazed with not one, but two sweet glazes these pastries are bursting with the flavors of fall and a definite comfort on chilly, drizzly days!



Pumpkin Scones

1¼ cups all-purpose flour
¾ cup spelt flour (may use all-purpose)
Scant ½ cup brown sugar
1 Tbs baking powder
½ tsp salt
generous ½ tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground nutmeg (or freshly grated!)
pinch ground cloves
generous ¼ tsp ground ginger
6 Tbs cold butter, cut into chunks
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
3 Tablespoons half-and-half
1 large egg


Egg Wash
1 large egg
1 Tbs milk
raw sugar

Sugar Glaze Ingredients: 
½ cup powdered sugar
¾ to 1 Tbs milk

Spiced Glaze Ingredients: 
½ cup powdered sugar
¾ to 1 Tbs milk
½ tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ginger
super, teeny, tiny pinch ground cloves


Preheat oven to 425˚F.  Line a baking sheet with silicone mat or parchment paper.

Combine the dry ingredients in the bowl of a stand mixer.  Using the paddle attachment, mix in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse bread crumbs.  Alternatively, use a pastry blender or your hands to cut in the butter until the mixture is crumbly in texture and resembles coarse bread crumbs.

In a small bowl, whisk together the pumpkin, half and half, and egg.  Fold into the dry ingredients until barely combined, being very careful not to over mix the batter.

Pour the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and loosely form the dough into a ball.  Pat it into a 1-inch thick rectangle.

Use a pizza cutter to slice the dough into desired shapes.

Place each slice on prepared baking sheet and top with the egg was and a sprinkle of raw sugar.  Bake for 14 – 16 minutes or until the scones are golden brown.

Let cool completely on wire rack.

In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and milk until smooth.  If it’s too runny, add more sugar.  If too thick, add a little more milk until reaching desired consistency.  Brush glaze over the top of each cooled scone.  Let harden before proceeding to the spiced glaze.


After the sugar glaze hardens, combine the spiced icing ingredients.   Use a whisk to drizzle over each scone, allow to set before serving - or alternatively dig right in as I did!!  =)

 

22 comments:

  1. These are perfect little treats especially now that pumpkin is in season.

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  2. How funny, I was eyeing this recipe too, I was thinking it will put me in the mood for Halloween. Besides they would make a wonderful breakfast this morning. Enjoy your weekend!
    -Gina-

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  3. delicious scones
    check out the event in my site

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  4. These look great! I need to jump on the bandwagon and make something pumpkin! I love the smell of fall spices :)

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  5. The looks of the recipe and the photos look amazing! Would definitely love to try these soon!! Hope I can find caneed pumpkin at the commissary this time. Lord knows I don't want to chop it up myself right now! Maybe if I had a sitter, though ;)

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  6. These look amazing, I'm baking them this afternoon for sure! Glad to see you jumped on the pumpkin band wagon. Beware you might just get hooked! :)

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  7. I cheated last year and I bought two extra cans of pumpkin last holiday season for safe keeping. :) I love the rich, velvety pumpkin in just about anything, these scones included. Your photographs really are beautiful! Wow! They look like works of art waiting to be enjoyed to the fullest.

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  8. Looks delicious! I always stockpile canned pumpkin when it goes on sale around the holidays, and this year is no different... I sense that my future holds a batch or two of these yummy-looking scones. :)

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  9. Katerina, exactly!

    Gina, the reviews say it all, this is "the" one!

    Thanks Torvie!

    Debbie, I'm a bit behind the pumpkin power curve too!

    Sommer, I totally know what you mean!!

    Maren, would love to hear how you like them!!

    Dionne, you are just amazing! Thanks! =)

    Isabelle, a most excellent idea!! I always stock up around holiday time too... just in case!

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  10. What a perfect thing to make to celebrate fall. My husband would adore these, since anything with pumpkin he loves. I think they look fantastic and have archived them to make. Enjoy your Sunday!

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  11. I'm getting the "pumpkin" urge, too. I even bought a can of pumpkin to make something with pumpkin in it, and now your scone recipe is the one that I'll be making.
    Thanks for sharing!

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  12. I made pumpkin muffins and cookies over the weekend. It is just the season for pumpkin. I think I may just take a crack at these scones next! They look wonderful, especially with the glaze on top!

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  13. I have yet to post my first pumpkin recipe but your recipe looks amazing and too good not to try myself. I bet these scones are delicious with a cup of coffee and the glazes just push them over the top. Lovely pictures as well :o)

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  14. Yum! I am the same way about the cloves - prefer the cinnamon and nutmeg, but miss cloves if they are gone.

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  15. Fanstastic recipe. What a lovely way to enjoy pumpkin and the flavors of fall. It seems like everywhere you turn at this time of year there is something pumpkin--but I've yet to come across a pumpkin scone!

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  16. over the weekend we went to a pumpkin patch and got back with different squashes and pumpkins and had my mind set on either scone or cupcakes, your pictures made the decision : scones.
    Many thanks

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  17. Looks like I have to go back and try scones again. I love pumpkin and these look phenomenal. Thank you so much for sharing! I may not be able to share the disaster I end up with, so keep you fingers crossed!

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  18. I think scones were the order of the week as they seemed to most blogged about. I made all sorts but this one looks gorgeous! I love pumpkin. Yumm!

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  19. Aren't scones the perfect snack? Pupmkin sounds yummy and perfect for the season. These look delish!

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  20. I am loving all the pumpkin recipes on FB this month. It is one of my favorite flavors and I look forward to October and roasting pumpkins to put in all sorts of treats. Pies here I come!

    Jason

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  21. MMMMM! I just made these tonight! I had to sub butter for (frozen) palm shortening and cream for almond milk (I can't have dairy or soy) and they are so yummy! lol I added a bit of pumpkin to the icing as well! Thanks for sharing your recipe! So good with a hot cup of tea!

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  22. yours came out looking a heck of alot better than mine wow. That glaze looks terrific, its amazing no two cooks can make anything alike, and this is almost exact! Nice job indeed just like your halloween foods omg they look so professinally done...amazing your site is awesome nice job!

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