Pumpkin Cranberry Scones: A Delightful Fall Baking Adventure
Fall is the perfect time to embrace the warm, comforting flavors of pumpkin and cranberries. What better way to enjoy these seasonal ingredients than in a batch of homemade scones? These pumpkin cranberry scones are soft, tender, and bursting with flavor, making them a delightful treat for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon snack. This recipe is designed to be easy to follow, even for beginner bakers, and will guide you through each step to create perfect scones every time.
Why You’ll Love These Pumpkin Cranberry Scones
* **Perfect Fall Flavors:** The combination of pumpkin puree, warm spices, and tart cranberries creates a quintessential autumn flavor profile.
* **Soft and Tender Texture:** These scones are not dry or crumbly; they have a delightfully soft and tender crumb.
* **Easy to Make:** The recipe is straightforward and doesn’t require any complicated techniques.
* **Versatile:** Enjoy them plain, with a pat of butter, a drizzle of glaze, or alongside your favorite hot beverage.
* **Freezer-Friendly:** Bake a batch and freeze some for later to enjoy the flavors of fall anytime.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Before you start baking, gather all your ingredients. Having everything measured and ready to go will make the process smoother and more efficient.
* **All-Purpose Flour:** The base of our scones. Use unbleached all-purpose flour for best results.
* **Baking Powder:** This is the leavening agent that will make the scones rise and become light and airy.
* **Baking Soda:** A little baking soda helps to tenderize the scones and adds a subtle flavor.
* **Salt:** Enhances the flavors of all the other ingredients.
* **Sugar:** Adds sweetness and helps with browning.
* **Pumpkin Pie Spice:** A blend of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves – the perfect warming spices for fall.
* **Cold Butter:** Use unsalted butter, and make sure it’s very cold. This is crucial for creating flaky scones.
* **Pumpkin Puree:** Use 100% pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling.
* **Heavy Cream:** Adds richness and moisture to the scones. You can also use half-and-half or milk in a pinch, but the scones will be slightly less tender.
* **Egg:** Binds the ingredients together and adds richness.
* **Vanilla Extract:** Enhances the flavor of the scones.
* **Dried Cranberries:** Add a burst of tartness and chewy texture. You can use fresh cranberries if you prefer, but you may need to adjust the amount of liquid in the recipe.
* **Optional: Coarse Sugar:** For sprinkling on top of the scones before baking, adding a touch of sweetness and sparkle.
Equipment You’ll Need
* **Large Mixing Bowl:** For combining the dry ingredients.
* **Pastry Cutter or Food Processor:** For cutting the cold butter into the flour.
* **Liquid Measuring Cup:** For measuring the wet ingredients.
* **Measuring Spoons:** For measuring the spices and other small ingredients.
* **Baking Sheet:** For baking the scones.
* **Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mat:** To line the baking sheet and prevent the scones from sticking.
* **Wire Rack:** For cooling the scones after baking.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Now that you have all your ingredients and equipment ready, let’s get baking! Follow these detailed instructions to create perfect pumpkin cranberry scones.
**Step 1: Preheat and Prep**
* Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
**Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients**
* In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, sugar, and pumpkin pie spice. Make sure everything is well combined.
**Step 3: Cut in the Butter**
* Cut the cold butter into small cubes. Add the butter to the dry ingredients.
* Use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Alternatively, you can use a food processor. Pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
* The goal is to have small pieces of butter evenly distributed throughout the flour. This will create pockets of steam during baking, resulting in flaky scones.
**Step 4: Add Wet Ingredients**
* In a liquid measuring cup, whisk together the pumpkin puree, heavy cream, egg, and vanilla extract. Make sure everything is well combined.
**Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients**
* Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Use a fork or spatula to gently combine until just moistened. Be careful not to overmix. The dough should be slightly shaggy.
**Step 6: Add Cranberries**
* Gently fold in the dried cranberries until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
**Step 7: Shape the Scones**
* Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Gently pat the dough into a 1-inch thick circle.
* Use a sharp knife or a scone cutter to cut the circle into 8 wedges (or any shape you desire).
**Step 8: Arrange on Baking Sheet**
* Carefully transfer the scones to the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
**Step 9: Brush with Cream and Sprinkle with Sugar (Optional)**
* Brush the tops of the scones with a little heavy cream. This will help them brown beautifully in the oven.
* If desired, sprinkle the tops of the scones with coarse sugar for added sweetness and sparkle.
**Step 10: Bake**
* Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until the scones are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
**Step 11: Cool and Enjoy**
* Remove the scones from the oven and transfer them to a wire rack to cool slightly before serving.
* Enjoy them warm with a pat of butter, a drizzle of glaze, or alongside your favorite hot beverage.
Tips for Perfect Pumpkin Cranberry Scones
* **Use Cold Butter:** This is the most important tip for creating flaky scones. Cold butter creates pockets of steam during baking, resulting in a light and airy texture. If your butter starts to soften while you’re working with it, pop it back into the refrigerator for a few minutes to firm up.
* **Don’t Overmix:** Overmixing the dough will develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough scones. Mix the wet and dry ingredients until just combined. A few streaks of flour are okay.
* **Handle Gently:** The dough is delicate, so handle it gently. Avoid kneading or pressing it too much.
* **Work Quickly:** The longer the butter stays at room temperature, the less flaky your scones will be. Work quickly to minimize the amount of time the butter is exposed to warmth.
* **Use Parchment Paper:** Lining your baking sheet with parchment paper will prevent the scones from sticking and make cleanup a breeze.
* **Adjust Baking Time:** Baking times may vary depending on your oven. Keep an eye on the scones and adjust the baking time as needed. They should be golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean.
* **Freeze for Later:** Baked scones can be frozen for up to 2 months. Let them cool completely before wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap and placing them in a freezer bag. To reheat, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight or bake them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes.
Variations and Additions
* **Add Nuts:** Chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds would be a delicious addition to these scones.
* **Add Chocolate Chips:** Dark chocolate or white chocolate chips would complement the pumpkin and cranberry flavors perfectly.
* **Add Orange Zest:** A teaspoon of orange zest will brighten up the flavor of the scones.
* **Make a Glaze:** Drizzle the cooled scones with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk or orange juice.
* **Use Different Dried Fruits:** Try using dried cherries, apricots, or raisins instead of cranberries.
* **Add Spices:** Experiment with different spices, such as cardamom, allspice, or ginger.
* **Vegan Option:** Substitute the butter with a vegan butter alternative, the heavy cream with coconut cream or almond milk, and the egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal mixed with 3 tablespoons water).
Serving Suggestions
* **Breakfast or Brunch:** Serve these scones warm with a pat of butter, jam, or clotted cream alongside a cup of coffee or tea.
* **Afternoon Snack:** Enjoy them as a midday treat with a glass of milk or a cup of hot cocoa.
* **Dessert:** Serve them as a light dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
* **Holiday Gathering:** These scones are a festive addition to any holiday brunch or gathering.
* **Gift Giving:** Package them up in a pretty box or basket and give them as a thoughtful homemade gift.
Pumpkin Cranberry Scones Recipe
Here’s the complete recipe:
**Yields:** 8 scones
**Prep time:** 15 minutes
**Cook time:** 18-20 minutes
**Ingredients:**
* 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1/2 cup granulated sugar
* 1 tablespoon baking powder
* 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
* 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
* 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
* 1/2 cup heavy cream
* 1 large egg
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1/2 cup dried cranberries
* Optional: Coarse sugar for sprinkling
**Instructions:**
1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin pie spice.
3. Cut in cold butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together pumpkin puree, heavy cream, egg, and vanilla extract.
5. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
6. Gently fold in dried cranberries.
7. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and pat into a 1-inch thick circle.
8. Cut into 8 wedges and place on prepared baking sheet.
9. Brush tops with heavy cream and sprinkle with coarse sugar, if desired.
10. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until golden brown.
11. Cool slightly on a wire rack before serving.
Nutrition Information (per scone)
* Calories: Approximately 300
* Fat: 15g
* Saturated Fat: 9g
* Cholesterol: 60mg
* Sodium: 250mg
* Carbohydrates: 40g
* Fiber: 1g
* Sugar: 15g
* Protein: 4g
*Please note that nutrition information is an estimate and may vary depending on specific ingredients and portion sizes.*
Conclusion
These pumpkin cranberry scones are a perfect way to celebrate the flavors of fall. They are easy to make, incredibly delicious, and sure to be a hit with everyone who tries them. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to enjoy a delightful baking adventure! Happy baking!