Can the spices be replaced with pumpkin pie spice?

Sure, although the mixture of spices in pumpkin pie spice is not an exact match (pumpkin pie spice sometimes includes allspice), it’s fine to replace the spices in the scones and glaze with pumpkin pie spice. Just replace the individual spices with an equal amount of pumpkin pie spice, so in this case, you’ll need 1 tablespoon for the scones and 1 teaspoon for the glaze.

Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of canned?

Definitely! If canned pumpkin isn’t available where you live, or you’d just prefer to use fresh, that’s not a problem. For baking, the most flavorful pumpkins are smaller than those typically associated with Jack-O-Lanterns. They’re usually in the 4 to 8-pound range and are referred to as sugar, cooking, or pie pumpkins. This detailed piece from King Arthur Flour provides guidance on how to convert a whole pumpkin into purée that can be used in any of my pumpkin baked goods, pumpkin butter , or pumpkin soup .

Can pumpkin scones be made ahead?

The scones are best served fresh on the day they are made but will keep well in a covered container for two days.

Can pumpkin scones be frozen?

Yes, the dough and the baked scones can be frozen for up to 3 months. If freezing the dough, put the dough wedges on a baking sheet, let set in the freezer, then place in a sealable bag and press out as much air as possible. Bake as needed directly from the freezer, allowing a few extra minutes in the oven. To freeze them after baking, let the scones cool completely and store in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Before serving, remove the scones from the container, let them come to room temperature, and glaze after defrosting. If you have the option to freeze the scones before or after baking them, you will get the best results if you freeze them before baking.

Pumpkin Scones with Spiced Pumpkin Glaze

By Jenn Segal

Inspired by Starbucks’ famous pumpkin scones, these breakfast treats are packed with pumpkin flavor.

Servings: 12 small scones

Prep Time: 20 Minutes

Cook Time: 15 Minutes

Total Time: 35 Minutes

Ingredients

For the Scones

½ cup canned pumpkin purée (I use Libby's)
1 large egg
3 tablespoons heavy cream
1 tablespoon molasses, such as Grandma's Original
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all purpose flour, spooned into measuring cup and leveled-off with knife, plus more for dusting
¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¾ teaspoon ground ginger
¾ teaspoon ground cloves
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 stick (½ cup) cold unsalted butter

For the Glaze

1½ cups Confectioners' sugar
3 tablespoons canned pumpkin purée
1 tablespoon water
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the pumpkin, egg, heavy cream, molasses, and vanilla. Set aside.
In the bowl of a food processor fitted with the blade attachment, combine the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices. Process for about 20 seconds to combine; be sure no lumps of brown sugar remain.
Cut the cold butter into ½-inch chunks. Add to the food processor and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse meal – it should look unevenly crumbly with some pea-size chunks of butter within. Add the pumpkin mixture and pulse just until the mixture comes together. The dough will be very sticky, and you should still be able to see some pea-size clumps of butter.
Lightly flour a countertop or work surface. Dump the sticky scone dough onto the floured surface and dust the top lightly with more flour. Using your hands, gently knead the dough until it comes together into a smooth ball. Divide the dough in half. Dust your work surface with flour again and form each half into a 5-inch circle, about ¾-inch thick. Using a sharp knife dusted with flour, slice each circle into 6 even wedges (cut each circle in half, then cut each half into thirds). If the dough starts to stick to the knife, dust the knife with more flour. Place the wedges on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake the scones for 12 to 15 minutes. To see if they are done, peek at the bottoms; they should be slightly browned. Let the scones cool on the baking sheet for about 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, make the glaze: In a medium bowl, whisk together the Confectioners' sugar, pumpkin, water, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg until smooth. The glaze should be thick.
Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the glaze over each scone, letting it drip a bit down the sides. Wait about 30 minutes for the glaze to set, then serve.
Note: The scones are best served fresh on the day they are made but will keep well in a covered container for two days.
Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The dough can be frozen for up to 3 months. Put the dough wedges on a baking sheet, let set in the freezer, then place in a sealable bag and press out as much air as possible. Bake as needed directly from the freezer. (Allow 1 to 2 minutes longer in the oven.) To freeze after baking, let the scones cool completely and store in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Before serving, remove the scones from the container and let them come to room temperature. (For best results, glaze after defrosting.) **If you have the option to freeze the scones before or after baking them, you will get the best results if you freeze them before baking.

Nutrition Information

Serving size: 1 scone
Calories: 261
Fat: 10g
Saturated fat: 6g
Carbohydrates: 41g
Sugar: 23g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 3g
Sodium: 193mg
Cholesterol: 41mg