Discover ways to make bakery-style pecan scones at dwelling! They’re actually delicate and moist inside, with an added crunch from the nuts nestled within the dough and pressed into the tops. These breakfast scones are calmly sweetened, they usually use a particular (however frequent!) ingredient to attain a traditional bakery-style taste. You’ll be able to whip up this simple recipe any day of the week — they solely take half-hour to make!
For Thanksgiving, my household typically gravitates in direction of acquainted favorites and prepares the identical dishes and desserts for our feasts. We caught with custom once more this previous yr, so I deliberate forward and acquired a few of the key components we wanted in October.
On the retailer, I reached for the most important bag of pecans I may discover. We combine them into the savory stuffing and my great-grandma’s cranberry salad, together with including double the quantity to the filling of a traditional or chocolate pecan pie, and I didn’t need to run out partway by our marathon cooking session.
However by the tip of the night time, when the dishes had been stacked within the sink and leftovers safely tucked away within the fridge…
Over a pound of pecans nonetheless sat within the bag on the kitchen counter. With simply 5 folks at our Thanksgiving feast, we didn’t want fairly as many as I assumed!
Though I like toasting them to snack on plain, I assumed it’d be enjoyable to bake with a few of them too. That resulted in a couple of batches of those wholesome pecan scones! They’re a enjoyable breakfast deal with that’s surprisingly fast and straightforward to whip up any day of the week, together with common weekdays, lazy weekends, and — come to consider it! — even a special day like Thanksgiving morning.
QUICK OVERVIEW – HEALTHY PECAN SCONES
Issue: Pretty simple, together with for a lot of newbie bakers.
Style: Calmly sweetened with nutty notes all through from the pecans.
Texture: Gentle and tender on the within, a little bit of a crust on the surface, and crunchy pecans in each chunk.
KEY INGREDIENTS TO MAKE HEALTHY PECAN SCONES
Let’s discuss concerning the components you’ll must make these bakery-style pecan scones at dwelling! I’m hoping you have already got milk, baking powder, and salt… So we’ll cowl the extra fascinating components.
Flour. To make these pecan scones more healthy, I opted for white whole wheat flour. Sure — such a factor truly exists! Opposite to the way it could sound, white complete wheat flour is not only a mixture of normal complete wheat flour and white (aka all-purpose!) flour.
Right here within the US, farmers develop two primary forms of wheat: pink and white. They’ve basically the identical well being advantages, like further fiber and micronutrients! The previous is used to make common complete wheat flour, and it has a heartier style and texture. It’s additionally darker in coloration. The latter is used to make (you guessed it!) white complete wheat flour. In comparison with pink wheat, it has a lighter look, style, and texture that’s nearer to all-purpose flour.
Trace: It’s much like the distinction between pink and inexperienced grapes! They’ve related well being advantages however a distinct look and taste.
Principally… It’s one of the best of each worlds! By utilizing white complete wheat flour, you get the well being advantages of complete wheat, however you additionally get the lighter taste and softer texture that you just’d count on in bakery-style scones.
Tip: When you’d wish to make your pecan scones gluten free, then see the Notes part of the recipe. I’ve shared my prime suggestions there!
Chilly butter. It is a key ingredient — and the temperature is very necessary! If you put the scones within the oven, the butter begins to soften. That creates tender little pockets within the dough. In case your butter begins to melt or soften forward of time, you lose a few of that superbly delicate and moist texture.
Tip: Freezing isn’t vital for this recipe! Simply use your butter straight from the fridge. That’s chilly sufficient!
Trace: This is the reason I strongly suggest in opposition to substituting coconut oil. It has a a lot decrease melting level (round 76°F, in comparison with butter’s of about 95°F), so it typically begins to melt and even soften simply sitting within the mixing bowl at room temperature.
For a dairy free various, use stick-style vegan butter as an alternative! I actually like this one and this one. Each make glorious scones!
Tub-style butter is already delicate when chilled, and it solely will get softer at room temperature… So it’s principally like coconut oil. Avoid tub-style butter or margarine for one of the best texture in your home made scones!
Greek yogurt. That is considered one of my favourite wholesome baking components! In these pecan scones, Greek yogurt provides the identical moisture to the dough as further butter or heavy cream — however for a fraction of the energy. It additionally provides a protein increase!
Pure maple syrup. As a substitute of refined granulated sugar, you’ll sweeten your wholesome pecan scones with pure maple syrup. It’s the type that comes straight from maple bushes, and it’s typically offered in skinny glass bottles or squat plastic jugs (like this!). There ought to solely be one ingredient on the label: maple syrup!
Tip: Skip the pancake syrup and sugar free maple syrup! These are made with different components and due to this fact behave otherwise, in order that they’ll have an effect on the feel of your baked items. That is very true of sugar free maple syrup. It’s typically water-based, so in the event you tried substituting it on this recipe, your scones would collapse whereas cooling and prove denser. For one of the best outcomes, use the real kind!
Almond extract. Did you guess appropriately?? That is the particular ingredient that offers your home made scones that impossible to resist bakery-style taste. It’s my favourite extract! Almond extract provides a stunning sweetness to baked items, so it makes these wholesome pecans scones style a bit sweeter than they really are.
Pecans. A reasonably apparent ingredient, I’m positive! 😉 I like to cut the pecans in order that they’re on the small aspect to make sure each chunk incorporates a minimum of a morsel or two. I intention for someplace between the scale of miniature and common chocolate chips.
I even have one other pecan tip for you…
Do not toast them first.
I virtually all the time toast my pecans earlier than utilizing them in baking recipes. I like the way it brings out their sweetness, takes away a few of their earthiness, and offers them a richer taste. Nonetheless, in the event you toast your pecans earlier than utilizing them to make these…
Those on prime could flip borderline burnt by the point the scones are prepared to come back out of the oven. (I simply would possibly know from private expertise. 😉 )
So that is an occasion the place laziness pays off! Tear open the bag, give them a chop, and fold the pecans proper into your scone dough. No toasting or different prep work vital!
HOW TO MAKE THE BEST PECAN SCONES
Now that you just’ve assembled your components, let’s discuss methods to make one of the best pecan scones. I’ve a couple of ideas for you, beginning with…
Measure appropriately. I say this on a regular basis, so I do know I sound like a damaged file — but it surely’s actually necessary! Particularly for the flour and yogurt. An excessive amount of flour or not sufficient yogurt will make your scones crumbly and dry, fairly than delicate and moist. Use this method (← and my particular fork trick for the flour!) or a kitchen scale (← that’s the one I personal!) to ensure your home made scones prove with the right bakery-style texture.
Chilly components. Keep in mind what we coated above, about protecting the butter chilly for so long as attainable? To attain these tender little pockets in your scones as they bake, you don’t need the butter to soften whilst you’re mixing up the dough. Utilizing chilly components helps forestall the butter from softening too quickly, so attain for yogurt, maple syrup, and milk straight from the fridge. Don’t convey them as much as room temperature first!
Form, brush + slice. The dough is pretty sticky, so use a spatula to form it right into a circle in your baking sheet. (These are those I exploit — aren’t they cute??)
Subsequent, brush the tops and sides with milk. This helps seal moisture into the dough, and it additionally creates a little bit of a crust on the surface. I like that texture distinction!
Lastly, slice the dough circle into 8 wedges with a pointy knife — however go away them touching. Don’t separate the triangles! That is one other trick for actually delicate and moist scones. When you separated the person scones earlier than baking, that will expose their sides to the recent oven air and switch these sides as crusty because the tops… However in the event you go away them nestled up in opposition to their neighbors, the edges (and interiors!) keep actually delicate and tender too.
Beautify. Press a couple of pecan items into the highest of every scone simply earlier than sliding the tray within the oven. Though non-obligatory, I feel it makes for a fairly of entirety… So long as you didn’t toast the pecans first. 😉 Additionally, wait so as to add the pecans till after you’ve brushed the dough with milk. This helps forestall the nuts from turning too darkish!
Bake. Identical to conventional recipes, these scones bake at a reasonably excessive oven temperature of 425°F. This helps create that stunning darkish golden crust on the surface. They’re accomplished when the very heart of the circle, the place all the triangle factors meet, feels agency to the contact.
FAQS ABOUT PECAN SCONES
Are these wholesome pecan scones gluten free, egg free, clear consuming, low calorie, or low sugar?
Sure — to all the above! They’re naturally egg free, clear consuming, low fats, and each decrease calorie and decrease sugar. I’ve included my prime suggestions for making these pecan scones gluten free within the Notes part of the recipe, and I additionally included methods to make them dairy free and vegan.
Can I exploit a distinct flour?
You positive can! See the Notes part for one of the best alternate options.
Ought to I freeze the butter?
Nope! That’s not vital for this recipe. So long as it’s straight from the fridge (and your yogurt, milk, and maple syrup are too!), you’re good to go!
Can I substitute coconut oil?
I don’t suggest that. I additionally don’t suggest utilizing tub-style butter. See the “chilly butter” header within the “Elements to Make Wholesome Pecan Scones” part above for extra data!
How can I make these pecan scones vegan?
Use stick-style vegan butter (this one is my present favourite!), dairy free milk, and dairy free yogurt. I’ve had nice luck with each soy-based yogurt and almond-based yogurt!
Can I exploit sugar free maple syrup?
Please don’t! It’ll make your scones denser and trigger them to break down whereas cooling. See the “pure maple syrup” header within the “Elements to Make Wholesome Pecan Scones” part above for extra data!
Can I substitute one thing for the almond extract?
Vanilla extract is the following smartest thing!
What are one of the best pecans to make use of to make these scones?
Ones that come straight from the bag! Don’t use pecans that you just’ve beforehand toasted… They could style virtually burnt by the point your scones end baking. (I simply would possibly know from private expertise. 😉 )
How ought to I retailer these pecan scones? How lengthy do they final?
Retailer any leftovers in an hermetic container within the fridge. They need to maintain for a minimum of 4 days, if not longer. I extremely suggest reheating them briefly within the microwave earlier than consuming any refrigerated ones! When eaten chilled, the scones can style a bit dry… However a fast journey to the microwave turns their insides delicate and tender once more.
Can I freeze them?
Completely! These freeze and thaw very well. I wish to reheat particular person scones within the microwave on 30% energy till they’re warmed right through. I feel they virtually style freshly baked when thawed like that!
Now all that’s lacking is a cup of sizzling espresso or tea… And perhaps a second scone to go together with it! 😉 Then once you make your individual, bear in mind to snap an image and share it on Instagram utilizing #amyshealthybaking and tagging @amyshealthybaking IN the photograph itself! (That ensures I’ll see your image! 🙂 ) I’d like to see your wholesome pecan scones!
Wholesome Pecan Scones
These breakfast scones are actually delicate and moist inside, with an added crunch from the nuts nestled within the dough and pressed into the tops. They’re calmly sweetened, they usually use a particular (however frequent!) ingredient to attain a traditional bakery-style taste. Leftover scones will maintain for a minimum of 4 or 5 days (if not longer!) if saved in an hermetic container within the fridge. They freeze properly too!
Elements
- 1 ½ cups (180g) white whole wheat flour or gluten free* flour (measured like this)
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 ½ tbsp (21g) unsalted butter, chilly and cubed
- ½ cup (120g) plain nonfat Greek yogurt
- 3 tbsp (45mL) pure maple syrup
- 3 tbsp + 2 tsp (55mL) nonfat milk, divided
- 1 tsp almond extract
- 3 tbsp (42g) diced pecans, divided
Directions
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Preheat the oven to 425°F, and line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.
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In a medium bowl, whisk collectively the flour, baking powder, and salt. Reduce within the butter with a pastry cutter (extremely really helpful!) or the again of a fork till the combination resembles wonderful crumbs. Stir within the Greek yogurt, maple syrup, 3 tablespoons of milk, and almond extract. Fold in 2 tablespoons of diced pecans.
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Utilizing a spatula, form the dough right into a ¾” tall circle on the ready baking sheet, and brush with the remaining milk. Slice the circle into 8 triangular segments with a pointy knife (however don’t separate them!). Press the remaining diced pecans into the tops.
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Bake at 425°F for 23-27 minutes, or till the tops are deep golden and the middle feels agency to the contact. Cool on the pan for five minutes earlier than transferring to a wire rack to chill fully.
Notes
IMPORTANT BAKING NOTE – READ BEFORE BEGINNING: Do not separate the 8 dough wedges earlier than baking in Step 3. As a substitute, go away them bearing on the baking sheet! This helps make the insides actually moist, delicate, and fluffy.
IMPORTANT TASTE NOTE – READ BEFORE BEGINNING: As written, these scones aren’t overly candy. When you desire sweeter scones, substitute a further 1-2 tablespoons of pure maple syrup for an equal quantity of milk within the dough. (For instance, use 4 tablespoons of pure maple syrup, and cut back the milk within the dough to 2 tablespoons.)
FLOUR ALTERNATIVES: Whole wheat pastry flour, common complete wheat flour, or all-purpose flour could also be substituted for the white complete wheat flour.
BUTTER NOTES + ALTERNATIVE: It’s very necessary that your butter is chilly, straight from the fridge. (Freezing it isn’t vital for this recipe!) With very chilly butter, it gained’t warmth up till you set the scones within the extraordinarily sizzling oven, and it’ll create little air pockets and a really tender crumb when it melts.
Because of this, I don’t suggest substituting coconut oil. It melts at a decrease temperature, which impacts the feel of your scones. (See the “chilly butter” header in my weblog put up above for extra data!) When you do determine to substitute coconut oil, simply maintain that in thoughts!
For a dairy free or vegan model, use stick-style vegan butter (I like this one and this one) rather than the unsalted butter for one of the best outcomes.
SWEETENER ALTERNATIVES: Honey or agave could also be substituted rather than the pure maple syrup. I don’t suggest substituting sugar free maple syrup. It is usually water-based, which impacts the scones’ texture. They often prove denser and collapse some whereas cooling.
MILK ALTERNATIVES: Any milk could also be substituted rather than the nonfat milk.
ALMOND EXTRACT NOTE + ALTERNATIVE: Almond extract makes these scones style a bit sweeter, and it additionally provides them their “bakery-style” taste. When you don’t have any, vanilla extract could also be substituted for the almond extract.
PECANS NOTES: I like to cut the pecans in order that they’re in between the scale of miniature and regular-sized chocolate chips to make sure each chunk incorporates a nut morsel or two. Use them straight from the bag (don’t toast them first!), and wait to press them into the tops of the scones till after you’ve brushed the dough with milk. Each of this stuff assist forestall the pecans on prime from burning.
EGG FREE OPTION: No modifications vital!
GLUTEN FREE OPTION: For the gluten free flour, I like to recommend the next: 1 cup (120g) millet flour, ¼ cup (30g) tapioca flour, ¼ cup (30g) brown rice flour, and 1 teaspoon xanthan gum. Most store-bought gluten free flour blends (I actually like this one from Bob’s Purple Mill) will work as properly, in the event that they’re measured like this.
DAIRY FREE + VEGAN OPTION: Use stick-style vegan butter (I like this one and this one) rather than the butter, your most well-liked non-dairy yogurt rather than the Greek yogurt (ie soy- or almond-based), and non-dairy milk rather than the nonfat milk.
HOW TO STORE: Retailer your scones in an hermetic container within the fridge. They’ll maintain for a minimum of 4 or 5 days, if not longer.
I extremely suggest reheating leftover scones within the microwave earlier than consuming them! It actually improves their texture and makes them delicate and fluffy once more! I warmth them on 30% energy till they’re warmed right through.
These scones additionally freeze very well!
{gluten free, egg free, clear consuming, low fats, dairy free choice, vegan choice}
View Nutrition Information + Weight Watchers Points
You might also like Amy’s different recipes…
♡ Healthy Almond Scones
♡ Healthy Maple Scones
♡ Healthy Cinnamon Scones
♡ Healthy Chocolate Chip Scones
♡ The Ultimate Healthy Blueberry Scones
♡ Healthy Maple Pecan Granola
♡ Healthy Maple Pecan Oatmeal Cookies
♡ …and the remainder of Amy’s healthy scone recipes!
