Gingered Pear and Cranberry Sourdough Scones with Brown Sugar Glaze

To contact us Click HERE

I was really excited to see how my sourdough starter would work with scones for this month's Sourdough Surprises challenge! Scones are either a big hit or an epic miss, and it all depends on the texture of the scone itself. So I was really curious to see how a starter would hold up in it. And to be honest, I had to try this recipe three times before I finally liked it. The initial results were entirely too dense and bready, and I didn't like that the original recipe called for the toppings on the top only. I felt that they were really plain. So I did some adjustments - added a tiny bit more brown sugar, incorporated lots more toppings, and added a brown sugar glaze on top. Now they were really special, and delicious. And while they are still more "bread" than your typical scone, I love the slight sourdough tang that shines through. They are definitely delicious! :) 

See what other delicious scones were made this month, and check our Sourdough Surprises! 
Gingered Pear and Cranberry Sourdough Scones, with Brown Sugar Glaze (loosely adapted from Wild Yeast) Yields: 8 scones
50 grams flour130 grams whole wheat flour1 1/2 tsp baking powder1/2 tsp baking soda5/8 tsp salt75 grams brown sugar1 stick unsalted butter, cut into chunks and very cold40 grams rolled oats50 grams half and half or heavy cream244 grams 100% hydration sourdough starter1 cup chopped cranberries1/4 cup crystallized ginger, chopped1 bartlett pear, chopped
Line an 8 inch cake pan with plastic wrap.In a large bowl, whisk together the flours, baking powder, baking soda, salt and brown sugar.Cut the cold butter into the flour mixture until it resembles course sand (you can use your fingers or a fork).Toss the oats, cranberries, crystallized ginger and the pears into the flour mixture and toss to combine.Pour the starter and the cream (or half and half) into the bowl and carefully mix with your hands until just barely incorporated.Press the dough into the cake pan and cover with plastic wrap.Place in the freezer overnight, or for at least 4 hours.In the morning, place a piece of parchment paper on a baking sheet and turn the dough out onto it.Preheat your oven to 400F.Let your dough stand for 15 minutes and then using a sturdy knife, cut your dough into 8 wedges.Let the dough stand for another 15 minutes, and then brush the tops with a bit of cream on top.Bake for 30 minutes, or until the scones are set and lightly browned.Allow to cool slightly while you mix the glaze - 
Brown Sugar Glaze (The Kitchn) 1 TBSP butter 2 TBSP milk1/4 cup  packed brown sugar1/4 tsp vanilla extract1/4 - 1/2 cup powdered sugar
In a microwave safe cup, heat the milk and butter for 30 seconds.Stir, stir, stir, until the butter is completely melted.Stir in the brown sugar and vanilla and stir until the sugar melts.Whisk in the powdered sugar, starting with 1/4 cup and gradually increasing the amount until you get the desired consistency.Drizzle over the scones, and Enjoy!!!