Maybe it is because we always had pecan pie for Thanksgiving growing up, but pecans always make think of the holidays. These scones would be the perfect addition to a holiday brunch. They utilize both finely ground and chopped pecans for an extra nutty flavor. They are like pecan shortbread cookies, except in scone form. The salted maple glaze adds just the right amount of extra sweetness.
The dough can also be made ahead of time and frozen. Freeze the cut biscuits on a baking sheet and then transfer to a freezer bag or container. You can cook them frozen, but you will just need to add a few minutes to the baking time.
Pecan Scones with Salted Maple Glaze
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
Serves: 9-12
Ingredients
- For the scones:
- 1 cup pecans
- 1⅔ cups flour
- ⅓ cup packed brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ cups butter, frozen
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1 large egg
- For the glaze:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- Pinch of kosher salt, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place pecans on a small baking sheet and bake, stirring halfway through, about 4-6 minutes, until fragrant and toasted. Let cool. In a food processor, add ½ cup of the toasted pecans. Process until pecans are finely ground into a flour-like consistency. Remove from food processor and set aside. Add remaining pecans and pulse until chopped. Remove and set aside. Keep oven on for baking the scones.
- In a large mixing bowl, add ground pecans, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Using a box grater, grate the frozen butter (like you would grate cheese) into the flour mixture. Using a fork, pastry cutter or your fingers, gently combine the grated butter with the flour mixture until it is a coarse consistency. There should be visible chunks of butter still. Stir in chopped pecans.
- In a small bowl, whisk together cream, vanilla, and egg. Pour over flour and butter mixture from above, stirring to combine. Mix until a shaggy dough is formed. Dump onto a lightly floured surface, and gently bring the dough together. Pat or roll dough into circle about 1½ inch thick. Cut out scones using a large circle cutter.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange cut scones on baking sheet. Bake in 400 degree F oven for about 15-17 minutes, until fully baked and starting to lightly brown on the edges. Remove from oven and allow to cool.
- Meanwhile, make the glaze. Melt butter and maple syrup together in the microwave. Add powdered sugar and stir until dissolved and well combined. Add a pinch of salt. Drizzle over cooled scones.
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