Pumpkin Scones

My mother and I tend to go all out when it comes to baking with pumpkin. We love the stuff. Apart from the traditional pumpkin pie, bread and muffin, we dive further into the realm of baked-good bliss with pumpkin pancakes, waffles, cookies, and our recent favorite: scones. Maple glazed pumpkin scones, to be exact! Oh my, they are delicious! Enjoyed with a cup of coffee or tea, they make for a perfect little breakfast or dessert. Would you like to try them? Here's the recipe!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups flour

• 1/3 cup brown sugar

• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 cup butter (cut into very small pieces)

• 1/4 cup nuts (optional)

• 1/3 cup half & half

• 3/4 cup pumpkin

• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees (F).
   
   
2. In a large bowl mix the dry ingredients. Add butter to flour mixture and mix with hands. In a separate bowl, combine the pumpkin, half & half, and vanilla; mix well and then add to the flour mixture. Stir, but do not over-mix.
   
   
3. On counter or table, lay out a sheet of wax paper sprinkled with flour. Take the scone dough and form a 8'' round 1.5'' thick disc, making sure there is flour on both sides so it does not stick. Cut into 8 pie-like slices.
   
   
4. Carefully places scones on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and bake for 13 minutes. Rotate the pan and bake for an additional 13 minutes.
   

Maple glaze:

Mix 1 cup of confectioners (powdered) sugar with pure maple syrup until it reaches a consistency that will allow you to drizzle over the scones (best done with a spoon). Note: scones must be cooled prior to being topped with maple glaze.

Recipe adapted from several sources.