Introduction
Discover the delightful combination of warm spices and nutty flavors with our Ginger-Pecan Scones. This recipe merges traditional scone ingredients with a twist, incorporating toasted pecans and crystallized ginger for an extra layer of complexity.
Tips for this Recipe
For optimal results, use cold butter when mixing your dough. This helps create a flakier texture in the scones. Chop your pecans finely to ensure they integrate well into the mixture and contribute evenly to each bite.
Why You Will Love this Recipe
Ginger-Pecan Scones are a treat that satisfies all palates, offering both comfort in their classic scone form while delighting the senses with unique ginger and pecan flavors. Their perfect balance of sweetness, spice, and crunch will surely become your new favorite breakfast or dessert staple.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- 2/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 1 1/3 cups pecan halves, toasted, chopped
- 1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons chopped crystalized ginger (about 4 ounces)
- 1 cup plus 1 1/2 tablespoons buttermilk
- 1 1/2 teaspoons finely grated peeled fresh ginger
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Advised Equipment
Measuring Cups and Spoons Set
Digital Kitchen Scale
Stand Mixer with Paddle Attachment (recommended for ease of mixing dough)
Silicone Spatula Set
Kitchen Timer (useful for timing baking process accurately)
Parchment Paper Sheets (for easy transfer and cleanup)
Convection Oven (Optional, but can help in evenly baking scones)
Sifter (to lightly flour the surface for dough handling)
Heavy Duty Cutting Board (for chopping pecans and other ingredients)
Pastry Blender (Optional, can be substituted with a fork if not available)
History of the Recipe
The tradition of incorporating ginger into pastry dates back centuries, particularly in European and Asian cultures where it’s valued for its warm spice. The combination with pecans harks back to American Southern cuisine, fusing a British scone base with the rich flavors of the South.
Fun Facts about this Recipe
Did you know that crystallized ginger has been preserved for over 500 years? Its inclusion in baked goods like these scones adds a delightful, spicy kick and offers health benefits such as soothing digestion. Pecans, too, have deep roots in culinary history, with Native Americans being among the first to harvest them.