Sweet Potato Scones with Maple Cream Glaze by @browneyedbaker :: www.browneyedbaker.com

The very first time I had a scone, I fell madly in love… and I fell hard. What’s not to love about a wonderfully tender not-quite-biscuit creation that can be filled and topped with as many different ingredients as your imagination can muster? The blank canvas that a scone provides is a fantastic opportunity to unleash your kitchen creativity. The very first scones that I made were dark chocolate chip cream scones (still my mom’s most favorite recipe on this site), and since then I have played around with at least a dozen different types of scones, loving each and every one for their unique flavors and textures.

When I saw a recipe for sweet potato scones, I immediately wanted to taste them. While I’m usually drawn to recipes for sweet scones (or ones loaded with bacon and cheese), these sounded so different that I was completely intrigued. Not sure what to expect, I just dug right into the recipe, and was rewarded with some of the most fantastic scones I’ve made to date. Tender, a little flaky and not too terribly sweet, the sweet potato flavor is mild and fabulous.

Sweet Potato Scones with Maple Cream Glaze by @browneyedbaker :: www.browneyedbaker.com

By using the trifecta of butter, cream and buttermilk, you end up with scones that are almost a cross between scone and biscuit. They have those characteristic flaky layers of biscuits, while retaining the tender crumb of a traditional scone. These scones do take a little longer than usual to prepare due to baking and cooling the sweet potatoes, but the effort is well worth it, and could be done up to a day ahead of time.

Sweet Potato Scones with Maple Cream Glaze by @browneyedbaker :: www.browneyedbaker.com

These would be a wonderful addition to any fall or Thanksgiving breakfast or brunch that you have planned, and, cut into smaller rounds, could be a fantastic roll replacement at the Thanksgiving dinner table. You definitely don’t want to forget the maple cream icing – I could eat that stuff with a spoon! I also think these would be fabulous brushed with melted butter and sprinkled with sugared pecans before baking.

What is your favorite sweet potato dish?

Sweet Potato Scones with Maple Cream Glaze by @browneyedbaker :: www.browneyedbaker.com

One year ago: Salted Caramel Apple Cheesecake Pie
Two years ago: Sweet Potato Pie and Pumpkin Ice Cream
Three years ago: How To Make Perfect Pie Crust
Four years ago: Fallen Chocolate Cakes

Sweet Potato Scones with Maple Cream Glaze

Light and tender, these Sweet Potato Scones are perfect for a fall brunch or a surprise side dish for Thanksgiving.
4.50 (4 ratings)

Ingredients

For the Scones:

  • ¾ pound (340.19 g) sweet potatoes, about 3 small
  • 4 cups (500 g) all-purpose flour
  • â…” cup (133.33 g) granulated sugar
  • 4½ teaspoons (4.5 teaspoons) baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon (0.25 teaspoon) salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon (0.5 teaspoon) ground nutmeg
  • 1 cup (227 g) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1 tablespoon-size pieces
  • ½ cup (119 ml) heavy cream
  • ½ cup (120 ml) buttermilk

For the Maple Cream Glaze:

  • 2 cups (240 g) powdered sugar
  • ¼ cup (0.02 ml) pure maple syrup
  • ¼ cup (59.5 ml) heavy cream
  • Pinch of kosher salt

Instructions 

  • Make the Scones: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Prick the sweet potatoes all over with the tines of a fork and bake on the prepared pan until tender, 30 to 40 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool to the touch, about 10 minutes.
  • Cut the potatoes in half lengthwise, scoop out the flesh into a medium bowl, and lightly mash with a fork. Cover the bowl and refrigerate until cool, at least 20 minutes.
  • Increase the oven temperature to 425 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. Use your fingers or a pastry blender to incorporate the butter into the flour mixture until the dough is crumbly and contains lumps the size of small peas.
  • Add the cooled sweet potatoes and ¼ cup of the heavy cream and lightly stir into the flour mixture. Add the remaining ¼ cup cream and the buttermilk and stir until just mixed. Do not overwork the dough.
  • Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead it a few times until it comes together into a cohesive mass. Lightly coat your hands with flour and gently pat the dough into ¾-inch-thick rectangle (mine was about 11x9 inches in size). Cut the dough into 6 squares, then cut each square on the diagonal to make triangle-shaped scones.
  • Transfer the scones to the prepared baking sheets and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the scones are a light golden brown. Immediately transfer the scones to a wire rack.
  • Make the Glaze: In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, maple syrup, heavy cream and salt, until smooth. Add more cream a tablespoon at a time if needed to thin the icing to a drizzling consistency. Drizzle the icing over the warm scones. Serve the scones warm or at room temperature. The scones are best eaten the same day they are made, but can be stored, wrapped in plastic wrap, at room temperature for up to 2 days.

Notes

Nutritional values are based on one serving
Calories: 510kcal, Carbohydrates: 74g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 21g, Saturated Fat: 13g, Cholesterol: 62mg, Sodium: 88mg, Potassium: 335mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 36g, Vitamin A: 4730IU, Vitamin C: 0.7mg, Calcium: 114mg, Iron: 2.2mg

Did you make this recipe?

Leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag @thebrowneyedbaker on Instagram so I can see it!