Cheesy Pumpkin Scones with Walnuts and Sage

These tender, autumnal scones serve as a tasty reminder that pumpkin plays savory just as well as it does sweet. Paired with toasted walnuts, nutty Gruyere and Parmesan cheeses, earthy sage, and brown butter, pumpkin shines decadently in these cheesy, buttery scones. They're best served the day they are baked, but can hold up well for 1 to 2 days in an airtight container; just warm them gently before serving.

• Preparation Time: 40 mins
• Cooking Time: 30 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins
• Calories: 319 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 large egg
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream
• ⅓ cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• ½ cup pumpkin puree
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• freshly cracked black pepper to taste
• ⅓ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
• ½ cup grated Gruyere cheese
• ½ cup chopped walnuts, lightly toasted
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh sage
• 8 leaves fresh sage
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, frozen and grated

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2

For the topping, melt butter in a pan over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring often, until the milk solids turn golden brown and the butter smells nutty, 10 to 12 minutes. Pour butter and any browned bits into a small bowl and allow to cool to room temperature. Whisk in the heavy cream and set aside.

Step 3

For the scones, whisk flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and garlic powder together in a large mixing bowl. Add grated butter and work into the flour mixture using your fingertips until well distributed and the mixture feels crumbly/mealy. Using a wooden spoon, stir in walnuts, Gruyere and Parmesan cheeses, and sage, making sure all ingredients are evenly distributed. Place in the refrigerator until needed.

Step 4

Add pumpkin to a separate small mixing bowl. Using a paper towel, dab the pumpkin puree to soak up as much excess moisture as you can. Whisk in heavy cream and egg until the mixture is evenly combined.

Step 5

Drizzle the pumpkin mixture over the flour mixture. Stir with a rubber spatula until the flour mixture is thoroughly moistened and a crumbly dough forms; do not overmix.

Step 6

Using lightly floured hands, gather the dough and gently knead in the mixing bowl until it just comes together. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and form into a 7- to 8-inch-round disc. Cut the disc into 8 equal wedges. Transfer the wedges to the prepared baking sheet.

Step 7

Generously brush each scone with the brown butter and cream topping mixture and sprinkle with cracked black pepper as desired. Place 1 sage leaf on top of each scone and press gently to adhere.

Step 8

Bake in the preheated oven until scones are lightly browned, 20 to 23 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes.