Easy Pumpkin Scones (No Egg)

The scones before serving with a spread of butter.

These Easy Pumpkin Scones are moist, light, and fluffy cheese scones. Low in sugar and eggless healthy pumpkin scones made in one bowl & baked in 25 minutes!

Course Appetizer, Bread

Keyword pumpkin scones, pumpkin seeds, savoury scones

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 40

Total Time 1

Servings scones

Calories 277kcal

Author Samantha Pickthall

Ingredients

3/4 cup (180g) butternut pumpkin, peeled and seeds removed
2 1/4 cups (340g) plain all purpose flour, scoop & leveled
3 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp fine salt, or Kosher salt
80 g unsalted butter, cubed and chilled
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
5 tbsp whole milk, plus extra for topping
1 tbsp pepita seeds/pumpkin kernels, for topping

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Prepare the pumpkin by cutting it into smaller chunks. Place them into a steamer over simmering water and steam for 15 minutes until very soft and tender.
Turn off the heat and transfer the pumpkin into a mixing bowl.
Use a potato masher or fork to mash the pumpkin. Set aside to cool for 15 minutes before using.
Pre-heat oven to 200ºC (400ºF). Line a flat baking tray with parchment paper, and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl add flour, baking powder, and salt. Whisk until well combined.
Add the chilled cubed butter and using your hands, rub the butter into the flour until it resembles a coarse crumb. About 2 minutes.
Mix through grated cheese.
Make a well in the center and add the cooled mashed pumpkin and the milk. Mix with a wooden spoon until incorporated. Ensuring not to over-mix, it will be a rough dough.
Lightly flour your bench top or a large board.
Transfer the dough onto the floured surface and lightly knead the dough to bring any loose flour back into the dough. The dough is not meant to be completely smooth, it’s ok if there are still some small pockets of flour remaining. Ensure not to over-knead as it will result in tough scones.
Pat the dough out to form a thick disc, approx. 2cm-3cm (1 inch) in height. Transfer dough onto the lined tray.
Using a knife, cut in half and then half the other way to end up with 4 equal quarters. Now cut each of those 4 pieces in half again to create 8 triangles. Refer to the images above for a visual.
Keep scones touching, no need to move them apart.
Brush the tops of each scone with some extra milk.
Sprinkle each with the pepita seeds.
Bake for 20-25 minutes until the tops are lightly golden.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool on the pan for 10 minutes.
Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely or serve your scones warm with a spread of butter if desired.
Enjoy!
Store in an airtight container, at room temperature, for 2-3 days. These scones are best consumed when they’re freshly baked! Or warm scones through in the oven or microwave to serve after a few days.

Notes

Butternut, Kent/Jap pumpkins work best for these scones. This recipe has not been tested using canned pumpkin, it’s difficult to find canned pumpkin in Australia but for my American readers, you can try using canned pumpkin for your scones as a substitute.

For the cheddar cheese, I specifically used Cracker Barrel Extra Sharp Cheddar Block which I grated by hand. Use either a block of cheese, grated or a frozen/fresh bag of grated cheddar.

To make these vegan pumpkin scones, swap the regular butter, cheese, and milk for dairy-free block butter used for cooking, dairy-free grated cheese, and dairy-free milk such as almond or soy milk.

Scone dough is not meant to be smooth and elastic, it’s meant to look rustic with those crack lines throughout. Overworking scone dough will result in tough and dense scones after baking.

Store in an airtight container, at room temperature, for 2-3 days. These scones are best consumed when they’re freshly baked! Or warm scones through in the oven or microwave to serve after a few days.

Freeze scones by first cooling them down. Then place them in a freezer zip-lock bag or freezer-friendly container, with layers of parchment paper between any layers, and freeze for up to 3 months.

Defrost scones at room temperature overnight or in the microwave until soft.

Nutrition