Pumpkin Pie Spiced Scones

It was another typical Monday, get home at 1.30, have just over an hour before getting boys from school, then heading to gymnastics, before getting home to a late dinner. One day I'll use this time wisely and sit down with a coffee, snack and a book… What I actually do is make myself a coffee & leave it to go cold while I make something for dinner. Today I though it would be a good idea to squeeze in an after school snack too! 

I'd seen pumpkin spiced something (can't remember what) on twitter earlier today and thought the sweet potato scone recipe would adapt well. The butternut squash adds enough natural sweetness so they didn't need extra sugar, but if you prefer a sweeter scone, add about a tablespoon to the flour mix

This makes 6 Scones

120g Gluten Free Self Raising Flour

1/2tsp Baking Powder

1tsp Mixed Spice

1/4tsp Grated Nutmeg

50g Dairy & Soya Free Margarine

100g Mashed Butternut Squash* (or tinned pumpkin puree)

1/2tsp Vinegar or Lemon Juice

30mls Milk Substitute (plus additional for glazing)

*Peel and chop about 2-3cm of the neck of a butternut squash, put in bowl, cover with cling film & microwave for 3-4 mins (depending on size of chunks) or until soft enough to mash.

Put flour, baking powder and spices in a bowl.

Add margarine and rub in until it resembles course breadcrumbs.

Add the rest of the ingredients and mix with a knife until just coming together.

Knead lightly (don't overwork scone mix or it becomes tough when baked) until you have a smooth dough.

Tip out of the bowl and gently flatten with your hand until it's about 2.5cm thick (gluten free scones don't rise much when cooked).

Cut out scones and gently reshape dough until all used up. Place on a greased baking tray. I only managed 5 and a bit today!

Brush tops with a little milk substitute.

Bake at 220ºc for 20mins.

Great served warm, fresh from the oven. 

I made a little maple 'butter' by mixing a tsp of maple syrup with about 20g of dairy and soya free margarine, but boys were just as happy to eat the rest plain.