Delicious and light pumpkin cranberry scones served with an optional cranberry butter. These scones need only a 1/2 cup of pumpkin puree, so they are great to use up a bit of leftover pumpkin!

pumpkin scones served with cranberry butter

I make these pumpkin cranberry scones every year after I make my pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving. The amount of pumpkin leftover in the can from my pies is exactly the amount needed for these scones.

And of course, I have to say a word about the cranberry butter. It’s simply dried cranberries, that are plumped in hot water, then mixed with butter and a touch of icing sugar. Sweet, tangy and creamy, this butter is a treat with the pumpkin scones, so you don’t want to skip it!

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Ingredients and substitutions

Brown sugar – light or dark brown sugar will work here. As the dark brown sugar contains molasses, the resulting scones will be darker and richer in molasses flavour. I used light brown sugar in the scones shown here.

Cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg – or replace them all with the same amount of Pumpkin Pie Spice

Butter – salted or unsalted

Milk – any fat level will work here, though I prefer at least 2% or higher. I haven’t tested these with non-dairy milks, but I feel like it should work here. Non-dairy milk may affect the hydration, so you may need a touch more flour in the dough.

Canned pumpkin puree – not pie filling. You need only a small amount, so it is perfect for leftover bits of pumpkin puree.

Dried cranberries –

For the Cranberry Butter (optional) – dried cranberries, boiling water, softened butter and icing/confectioners’ sugar.

Recipe tips!

  • When mixing the scones, you want the finished dough to be not crumbly, but not super sticky. If it seems dry in the bowl, add a splash more milk. If the dough seems really sticky (like it might stick to the parchment paper), add a touch more flour. If it seems sticky after patting it into a round on the baking sheet, pop it into the fridge or freezer for a few minutes before cutting into wedges.
  • If you’d like to add some nuts into the mix, stir 2 Tbsp of finely chopped pecans into the batter.
  • The cranberry butter is optional, but highly recommended! it’s such a lovely flavour combination. The cranberry butter will keep in the fridge for several days.
pumpkin scones on cutting board with cranberry butter

Making ahead, storing and freezing

These scones are best enjoyed freshly baked, but they will keep a couple of days. Store scones in an air-tight container at room temperature.

These scones will freeze well.

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pumpkin scones on cutting board with cranberry butter

Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Cranberry Scones

Delicious pumpkin cranberry scones served with an optional cranberry butter. A perfect Fall baking recipe!
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Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients

Pumpkin Scones:

  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and levelled
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed (light or dark)
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt, reduce to 1/8 tsp if using salted butter
  • 1/2 cup butter, cold and cut into 8 pieces
  • 1/3 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree, not pie filling
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup dried cranberries, chopped

Cranberry Butter:

  • 2 Tablespoons dried cranberries, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup boiling water
  • 1/2 cup salted butter, softened
  • 3 Tablespoons icing/confectioners’ sugar

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 400F. (not convection) Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, spices and salt.
  • In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the milk, pumpkin puree and egg. Set aside.
  • Add the cubed butter to the flour mixture and using a pastry cutter or your fingertips, cut or rub the butter into the flour until it is reduced to pea-sized pieces.
  • Add the pumpkin mixture to the flour mixture and using a wooden spoon, stir until all the flour is moistened and there isn't any loose flour at the bottom. *The mixture should not be crumbly, but should not be super sticky, either. Add a bit more flour or milk to adjust, as needed. Stir in the dried cranberries.
  • Remove the dough to the parchment-lined baking sheet. Pat the dough into a 7 1/2 to 8-inch circle. If the dough seems sticky after patting it into a round on the baking sheet, pop it into the fridge or freezer for a few minutes before cutting into wedges. Using a sharp knife, cut the circle into 8 even wedges. Using a spatula, carefully pull apart the wedges so there is space between each one. They will rise considerably, so leave an inch at least between the wedges.
  • Bake the scones in preheated oven until well set and starting to turn golden, about 12-15 minutes. Remove from oven, then remove to a cooling rack to cool. Dust with icing sugar to serve, if you like.
  • For the optional cranberry butter: Add the dried cranberries to a bowl with the boiling water and let stand for 5 minutes. Drain and pat dry. Add to a clean bowl, together with the softened butter and icing/confectioners' sugar. Stir to combine well. Serve softened alongside the scones. Left-over cranberry butter can be covered and refrigerated for several days.

Notes

Nutritional information is for scones only and does not include the cranberry butter.
You can replace the individual spices with 1 1/2 tsp of Pumpkin Pie Spice.
If you’d like to add some nuts, you can add 2 Tbsp of chopped pecans or walnuts into the dough with the dried cranberries if you like.
Be sure to read the notes above the recipe card for more tips on making these scones.
Cuisine: Amerian, Canadian
Course: Snack
Author: Jennifer Maloney
Serving: 1scone, Calories: 149kcal, Carbohydrates: 29g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 24mg, Sodium: 309mg, Potassium: 219mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 2436IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 81mg, Iron: 2mg
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