Author: Adapted from the New York Times Cooking, Martha Rose Shulman
This easy recipe for made from scratch Spiced Pumpkin Scones with an optional espresso glaze yields light, tender and buttery scones without the use of eggs.
Place a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat the oven to 400°F.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl combine the flour, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
Pour the dry ingredients in the bowl of your food processor fitted with the steel blade.
Add the pieces of butter to the food processor, and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse meal (crumbly with little pieces of butter in it).
In a small bowl, beat together the pumpkin purée, brown sugar and buttermilk.
Pour the pumpkin mixture into the bowl of the food processor and pulse until the dough comes together.
Lightly flour your countertop. Dump the dough onto your countertop and knead a few times until the dough is smooth.
Shape the dough into a rectangle that is approximately 3/4 inch thick. Cut the rectangle into six squares. Cut each square diagonally to form two triangles. You should have a total of 12 triangles.
Place on the baking sheet and bake for 12 to 14 minutes until scones are lightly browned on the bottom.
Let cool on the pan for a few minutes.
Instructions for the Espresso Glaze:
Dissolve one tablespoon of instant espresso into one tablespoon of very hot water. If espresso doesn't dissolve completely place mixture in microwave and microwave on high for 10 to 15 seconds.
Add cream, half and half or milk and mix to combine.
Add icing sugar and whisk until you have a smooth consistency. Add more cream or milk for a thinner consistency.
Drizzle glaze onto scones while still slightly warm.
Serve immediately.
Notes
1. No need to go out of your way to buy buttermilk, you can easily use milk instead, just add 1/2 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to 1/2 a cup of milk. Let stand for 10 min. and then use as directed in the recipe.2. Substitute ground cinnamon, ginger and cloves with pumpkin pie spice if that's what you have available. Use 1 and 3/4 teaspoon of the spice mixture.3. The recipe for the glaze makes enough to drizzle on the scones but not to cover the entire surface of the scone.4. Although best to consume scones right away, they keep well at room temperature for 2 days. You can also freeze leftover scones (best to freeze them as quickly as possible after having baked them to preserve their freshness). Thaw and warm in a low oven before serving.5. This recipe is made without eggs so it's perfect for those with egg allergies.