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pumpkin scones

Pumpkin Scones Recipe

These spiced pumpkin scones feature a delightful combination of fresh ginger root, candied ginger, and warm spices that perfectly complement the earthy pumpkin puree. The tender, moist crumb is achieved through the careful balance of margarine and coconut oil, creating a scone that's both flaky and substantial. The blend of ground ginger, candied ginger, and fresh ginger creates layers of warmth and complexity, making these scones perfect for autumn gatherings or any time you crave comforting seasonal flavors. Best served warm, these scones showcase the natural sweetness of pumpkin beautifully.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings: 12
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: British
Calories: 220

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 3 1/2 cups flour using 1/2 white flour recommended
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger powder
  • 2 tablespoons candied ginger finely minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger root finely shredded
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup margarine cold or semi-cold
  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil
  • 2 cups pumpkin puree

Method
 

  1. Get your oven to 425 degrees. Yeah, that's a pretty hot oven, but that's exactly what you want here. Grab two baking sheets and line them with parchment paper. Trust me, parchment makes cleanup so much easier. Why 425? Because this higher temperature helps the scones bake fast and get a slight crust on the outside while keeping the inside moist and tender.
  2. In a big bowl, throw together your dry ingredients: sugar, flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground ginger powder, and cinnamon. Whisk these together really well. The goal is to make sure the leavening agents and spices are evenly spread throughout, no pockets of pure baking powder hiding in there. This is important because you want every scone to taste the same and rise evenly.
  3. Cut your margarine and coconut oil into small pieces and add them to the dry mix a bit at a time. Now here's the key: you're going to use a pastry cutter, two knives, or your fingertips to work the fats into the flour until it looks like breadcrumbs or coarse sand. This is what creates those tender, flaky pockets when everything bakes. Don't skip this step and don't rush it. Take a few minutes and actually do the work.
  4. Pour in your pumpkin puree. Add your minced candied ginger and shredded fresh ginger. Stir everything together until it's all mixed. The dough will be thick and slightly sticky. This is exactly what you want. Don't go crazy with the mixing. Mix just until everything comes together. Overmixing makes tough scones, and you don't want that.
  5. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Give it a few gentle kneads, maybe 2-3 passes. You're just bringing it together, not developing gluten. Be gentle here.
  6. Divide the dough in half. Press each half into a circle shape that's a few inches thick, roughly 1/2 inch. The thickness matters. Too thin and they'll dry out. Too thick and they won't bake through properly. That 1/2 inch is your sweet spot. Don't stress about perfect circles. Rustic is actually better.
  7. Using a sharp knife, cut each circle into about 5 or 6 wedges. Think pizza, but with fewer, bigger slices. You'll end up with about 10-12 scones total. And here's the thing: they don't need to be perfectly even. Uneven actually looks more homemade and charming.
  8. Place your wedges on the baking sheets with about 1-2 inches between them. This spacing is important because they'll expand a bit while baking and you don't want them touching and baking together into one giant blob.
  9. Pop them into the oven at 425 degrees for 12-15 minutes. You're looking for them to be baked through but still moist inside. The outside should be set and just barely golden, not brown. Here's a tip: start checking at 12 minutes. Every oven is different, and overbaking is the enemy here. You want them tender, not dry. They're done when a toothpick in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs, not wet batter, but not completely clean either.
  10. Pull them out of the oven and let them sit on the baking sheet for a few minutes, 3-5 minutes is perfect. These are best served warm, so don't wait forever. Serve them plain, with butter, with cream cheese spread, or with jam. You really can't go wrong.

Notes

Flavor Variations And Customizations

Extra Spiced Version
Add 1/4 teaspoon each of nutmeg and cloves for a more traditional pumpkin pie spice flavor.
This creates a more classic pumpkin scone, though less unique than the original.
Vanilla Pumpkin Scones
Add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract when adding the pumpkin.
Vanilla adds warmth and depth to the pumpkin flavor.
Maple Pumpkin Version
Add 1/4 teaspoon of maple extract and substitute 1/4 cup of the pumpkin puree with pure maple syrup.
This creates a more complex sweetness with maple undertones.
Chai Spiced Pumpkin
Add 1/2 teaspoon of cardamom and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper to the dry ingredients.
This creates a chai-pumpkin hybrid that’s sophisticated.
Brown Sugar Version
Replace the white sugar with packed brown sugar.
This creates a deeper, more caramel-like sweetness.
Coconut-Pumpkin Version
Add 1/2 cup of shredded coconut to the dry ingredients.
This emphasizes the coconut oil flavor and creates a more tropical vibe.
Molasses Pumpkin Scones
Add 1-2 tablespoons of molasses when adding the pumpkin.
Molasses adds depth and a subtle earthiness.
Orange Pumpkin Version
Add 1 tablespoon of orange zest when adding the ginger.
Orange and pumpkin pair beautifully, and orange adds brightness.
Extra Ginger Version
Increase each form of ginger: 2.5 teaspoons ground ginger, 3 tablespoons candied ginger, 1.5 tablespoons fresh ginger.
This creates a more assertively spiced scone for ginger lovers.
Apple Cider Pumpkin
Reduce the pumpkin to 1.75 cups and add 1/4 cup of apple cider concentrate.
This creates an apple-pumpkin hybrid that’s interesting and seasonal.