Saturday, November 12, 2011

Pumpkin Pecan Scones



Thanksgiving morning at our house is always an adventure. Each person is vying for a workspace to make their contribution for the feast. Measuring spoons are swiped right out from under your nose, dirty dishes are being stacked onto a pile that resembles an intense Jenga game, and that cream for the coffee you so desperately need to get things moving -- it went into the mashed potatoes.

The 20 lb. turkey asserts his presence by taking over the oven, leaving the tiny 1 ft by 3 ft space next door as the only viable option for extra stuffing, roasted artichokes, herb braided bread, pumpkin pie and the like. It is a vertiable feat of timing, balance and patience that makes a meal like this come together.

There is no time Thanksgiving morning to worry about breakfast. But, it is a vital element of the day to keep up the morale and stave off 'hanger' before the often belated commencement of the family meal.

These lovely scones are a perfect option. Make them the evening before. As with all things spiced, they actually taste better the day after.




Pumpkin Pecan Scones

2 c. flour
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/4 t. ginger
1/2 t. nutmeg
1/4 t. allspice
1/2 t. cinnamon
1 t. baking powder
1/4 t. baking soda
1/2 c. butter
1/3 c. buttermilk
1/2 c. pumpkin puree
1 t. vanilla
1/3 c. candied pecans, finely chopped

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Place flour, sugar, spices, baking powder, and baking soda in a large bowl. Cut butter into small pieces and mix with dry ingredients until butter is the size of small peas.

Mix buttermilk, pumpkin and vanilla in a separate cup or bowl. Add to large bowl and mix together by hand just until it comes together. Carefully, mix in pecan pieces.

Flour a clean surface. Pat ball of dough into a round about 1/2 in. thick. Cut into 8 triangles. Place on greased baking sheet. Bake 20 minutes, until browned at edges.

2 comments:

Sylvia said...

Oh, these look amazing! BTW, I am so happy you are blogging regularly now . . . such fun to see/read! :-)

Laurel said...

Thank you for your comment/compliment! I'm happy to be blogging more regularly myself...I love it!