PUMPKIN SCONES WITH CRANBERRY BUTTER

Pumpkin Scones with Cranberry Butter image

Provided by Lynnda Cloutier

Number Of Ingredients 16

CRANBERRY BUTTER:
2 tbsp. dried cranberries
1/2 cup boiling water
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened, 1 stick
3 tbsp. powdered sugar
PUMPKIN SCONES:
2 1/4 cups flour
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tbsp. pumpkin pie spice
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup butter or margarine, chilled, 1 stick
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
1/3 cup milk
1 egg, beaten

Steps:

1. To make the butter, mix the cranberries and boiling water in a heatproof bowl. Let stand for 10 minutes. Drain and finely chop the cranberries. Mix butter and powdered sugar in a bowl until mixed. Fold in cranberries. Chill, covered, for 1 hour or more to allow flavors to blend. You may substitute dried blueberries for the cranberries if you wish. To make the scones, mix flour, brown sugar, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda and salt in a bowl. Mix well. Cut in butter using pastry blender til mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Make a well in the center of crumb mixture. Mix the pumpkin, milk and egg in a bowl. Add pumpkin mixture all at once to the well and stir just until moistened. Turn dough onto lightly floured surface. Knead dough by folding and pressing gently for ten to twelve strokes or until almost smooth. Pat dough into an 8 inch round and cut round into twelve wedges. Arrange wedges one inch apart on ungreased baking sheet. Brush tops with additional milk if desired. Bake at 400 for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. Remove scones to wire rack and cool for 5 minutes. Serve warm with cranberry butter. Makes 1 dozen scones. The Scone originated in Scotland. It is a bread that is halfway between a cake and a biscuit.