Autumn Pumpkin & Cherry Scones
Embrace the flavors of the Australian countryside with these delightful scones, a perfect blend of sweet pumpkin and juicy cherries. Baked to golden perfection, these scones are ideal for a leisurely afternoon tea or as a sweet breakfast treat. Their tender crumb and rich flavor will bring warmth to any autumn day. Serve them warm with a generous spread of butter and your favorite jam, topped with a dollop of fresh cream for an irresistible indulgence!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
unbleached plain flour
3 cups (Sifted)
caster sugar
1/3 cup (N/A)
baking powder
4 teaspoons (N/A)
bicarbonate of soda
3/4 teaspoon (N/A)
salt
3/4 teaspoon (N/A)
cold unsalted butter
120 g (Cut into small chunks)
dried cherries (or currants/sultanas/dates)
2/3 cup (Chopped if large)
pumpkin
1 cup (Cooked and mashed, cooled)
buttermilk
180 ml (N/A)
milk (for glazing)
to brush (N/A or egg yolk mixed with 2 tsp water)
Instructions
1
Begin by boiling or steaming 1 cup of pumpkin until tender, then mash and set aside to cool.
2
Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F) and lightly flour a heavy baking sheet to prevent sticking.
3
In a food processor, combine the flour, caster sugar, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, and salt. Pulse to ensure all dry ingredients are well mixed.
4
Add the cold, chunked unsalted butter to the flour mixture and process until it resembles coarse breadcrumbs. Alternatively, you can rub the butter into the flour by hand using your fingertips.
5
Transfer the mixture to a large mixing bowl and fold in the dried cherries (or your fruit of choice) to distribute evenly.
6
Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients, and whisk together the cooled pumpkin and buttermilk. Pour this mixture into the well.
7
Gently stir the mixture with a fork until just moistened, being careful not to over-mix.
8
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently a few times until combined. Pat or roll the dough into a round shape about 3 cm thick.
9
Using a floured scone cutter or a small glass, cut out scones and place them close together on the prepared baking sheet.
10
For a dull glaze, brush the tops lightly with milk, or for a shiny finish, use a mixture of one egg yolk diluted with two teaspoons of water.
11
Bake in the preheated oven for 12-20 minutes, checking for a golden color and a firm texture.
12
Once baked, remove from the oven and wrap the scones in a clean tea towel for about five minutes to keep them warm and moist.
13
Serve the scones warm, accompanied by butter, your favorite jam, and a dollop of cream for a truly decadent treat.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Autumn Pumpkin & Cherry Scones?
They are a delightful Australian-inspired treat blending sweet pumpkin and juicy cherries, perfect for afternoon tea or breakfast.
How should I prepare the pumpkin for this recipe?
Boil or steam 1 cup of pumpkin until tender, then mash it and allow it to cool completely before using.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F) for baking these scones.
Can I use a food processor for the dough?
Yes, you can use a food processor to combine dry ingredients and pulse in the cold butter until it resembles coarse breadcrumbs.
What type of flour is used in these scones?
The recipe calls for 3 cups of sifted unbleached plain flour.
How do I ensure the scones have a tender crumb?
Gently stir the mixture with a fork until just moistened and avoid over-mixing or over-kneading the dough.
What fruit can be used besides cherries?
You can substitute dried cherries with currants, sultanas, or chopped dates.
How thick should I roll the scone dough?
The dough should be patted or rolled to a thickness of approximately 3 cm.
How do I achieve a shiny glaze on top?
Brush the tops of the scones with a mixture of one egg yolk diluted with two teaspoons of water before baking.
What is the option for a dull glaze?
For a duller finish, simply brush the tops of the scones lightly with milk.
How long do the scones need to bake?
Bake the scones for 12 to 20 minutes until they are golden in color and firm in texture.
Why should I wrap the scones in a tea towel after baking?
Wrapping them in a clean tea towel for five minutes helps keep the scones warm and moist.
What are the traditional serving suggestions?
Serve them warm with butter, your favorite jam, and a dollop of fresh cream.
What type of butter should be used?
Use 120g of cold unsalted butter, cut into small chunks.
How much buttermilk is required?
The recipe requires 180 ml of buttermilk to be mixed with the mashed pumpkin.
Is bicarbonate of soda necessary?
Yes, 3/4 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda is used along with baking powder to help the scones rise.
Can I rub the butter in by hand?
Yes, if you do not have a food processor, you can rub the butter into the flour using your fingertips.
How should the baking sheet be prepared?
Use a heavy baking sheet and lightly flour it to prevent the scones from sticking.
What tool can I use to cut the scones?
You can use a floured scone cutter or a small glass to cut out the rounds.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 10 main ingredients: flour, sugar, baking powder, bicarb, salt, butter, dried fruit, pumpkin, buttermilk, and milk for glazing.
What kind of sugar is best for this recipe?
The recipe specifies 1/3 cup of caster sugar.
Can I use salted butter?
The recipe calls for unsalted butter; if you use salted, you may want to reduce the additional salt added to the dry mix.
What is the purpose of making a well in the dry ingredients?
Making a well allows you to pour the wet ingredients into the center for more even and gentle mixing.
Should the pumpkin be hot when added to the buttermilk?
No, the pumpkin should be cooled before being whisked with the buttermilk.
What if my dried fruit pieces are very large?
If using large dried fruits like dates, ensure they are chopped before folding them into the mixture.
How should the scones be arranged on the baking sheet?
Place them close together on the prepared sheet to help them rise upwards.
Is this recipe suitable for autumn?
Yes, it is specifically designed to embrace autumn flavors using seasonal pumpkin.
What amount of baking powder is needed?
You will need 4 teaspoons of baking powder for this scone recipe.
Can these scones be eaten for breakfast?
Yes, they are described as an ideal sweet breakfast treat or a leisurely afternoon tea snack.
Does the flour need to be sifted?
Yes, the recipe recommends using sifted unbleached plain flour for the best texture.