Healthy Pumpkin Scones

Fall is just around the corner, and I'm excited to share this recipe for healthy pumpkin scones with you. These scones are an easy dessert to make for the holidays or your breakfast any day of the week. They are moist, full of pumpkin flavor and healthy!

Contents

• Why this pumpkin scone recipe works
• What goes into this recipe
• Recipe variations
• How to make this recipe
• Expert tips
• Storing - reheating - freezing instructions
• FAQ's
• Related recipes
• 📋 Recipe

Why this pumpkin scone recipe works

• They're super easy to whip up. It takes less than ten ingredients found in your kitchen to make these moist pumpkin scones. And did I mention they're ready in 30 mins? And homemade too!
• They're perfect for Fall.  When Autumn comes around, you know it's pumpkin time! Pumpkin lends a natural sweetness to these spiced scones. Pair them with a mug of hot chocolate or a strong tea, and you have the perfect treat. One for the pumpkin lover!
• They taste even better with homemade jam.  These fluffy pumpkin scones pair beautifully with my blackberry jam or mandarin jam. If you want to take your breakfast recipes to the next level, try them with my unique banana jam.

Related: see my healthy and easy pumpkin banana muffins for more pumpkin goodness.

What goes into this recipe

• Self-rising flour - this flour contains a raising agent and is a traditional ingredient used when making scones. If you don't have this on hand, use all-purpose flour and a teaspoon of baking powder. I sometimes like to use a combination of whole wheat flour or whole wheat pastry flour.
• Baking Soda - it's used as a leavening agent and works best when combined with a sour liquid such as buttermilk, sour cream or yogurt.
• Butter - I prefer to use unsalted butter in my baking; however, regular, salted butter works just as well. (make sure it's cold)
• Brown Sugar - adds a lovely caramel flavour and profile to the pumpkin scones.
• Pumpkin Pie Spice - it wouldn't be Fall without this spice! (Complete instructions to make your own further down below).
• Pumpkin Purée- I prefer to make my own (full instructions and pics below), but if you're in a pinch, canned pumpkin purée will work too.
• Yogurt - I use Greek full-fat yogurt for all my baking.
• Egg - medium-sized (approx. 60 grams)
• Vanilla Extract - adds a subtle aroma.

For the glaze:

• Powdered sugar - perfect for making your glaze
• Milk - a little goes a long way when combined with powdered sugar to make a glaze.

Recipe variations

• Add a ¾ cup of chocolate chips to the dough for extra indulgence
• Make a maple glaze instead by substituting the milk with maple syrup

How to make this recipe

• Step 1: To prepare the pumpkin, place cubed pumpkin into a shallow, heatproof microwave-safe dish. Cover and steam for 4-5 minutes until tender. Allow to cool slightly and mash with a fork until smooth.

• Step 2: Place the mashed pumpkin into a saucepan and heat it on medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring continuously. (This helps to remove any excess moisture).

• Step 3: Combine flour, baking soda, sugar and pumpkin pie spice in a food processor and pulse to combine. The mixture should resemble coarse breadcrumbs. Place the mixture into a large bowl. Alternatively, you can do this step manually using a pastry cutter.

• Step 4: In a medium bowl, combine the pumpkin, yogurt, egg and vanilla.

• Step 5: Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until the mixture comes together.

• Step 6: Place the pumpkin scone dough onto a prepared baking sheet (lined with parchment paper) and shape it into a disc.

• Step 7: Cut the dough into eight even triangles and place them in the refrigerator while your oven heats up.
• Step 8: Preheat your oven to 200 deg C (400 F) and bake for 20 mins until golden brown. Allow cooling before glazing.

• Step 9: Combine the powdered sugar and milk to form a thick paste and drizzle over the cooled scones.

Expert tips

• Make the pumpkin puree from scratch.  You may choose to use canned pumpkin puree to make these healthy pumpkin scones; however, I prefer making my own. It's as simple as chopping the pumpkin and microwaving it. Just make sure you remove the excess moisture by draining it and heating it on the stovetop for a few mins.
• Make your pumpkin pie spice.  Don't have any of this Fall favourite on hand? Easy! Combine 3 teaspoons of ground cinnamon, 1.5 teaspoons of ground ginger, ¾ teaspoon of ground nutmeg, ½ teaspoon of allspice and ½ teaspoon of ground cloves in a small bowl. Add it to the recipe accordingly.
• Do not knead the dough. It's important not to treat it like bread dough. If you want fluffy pumpkin scones, you only need to mix the ingredients and bring them together. It might be a little sticky, but this will achieve the best results.  
• Use cold butter - the more chilled the butter, the better. When you incorporate the butter with the flour, it creates "crumbs", - which melt as the scones bake. As they melt and release steam, they create air pockets and produce a wonderful flaky texture.
• Chill the scones before baking. It will help to soften the gluten and result in a tender, flaky texture.  
• Make clean cuts through the dough. Use a sharp knife and press straight down - do not drag it across the dough!  

Storing - reheating - freezing instructions

• Store - place the scones in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• Reheat - in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or reheat in a low oven for 10 minutes.
• Freeze - place the homemade pumpkin scones on a pre-lined baking sheet and freeze for 3-4 hours until they are solid. Store in a freezer friendly bag for up to 3 months. Allow them to thaw to room temperature before reheating.

FAQ's

Related recipes

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This post was originally published in June 2012, but was republished with new content and pictures in September 2021.