Whether your family’s Thanksgiving meal is fully traditional or a mix of classic favorites with modern adjustments (gluten-free guests and vegan visitors welcome!), these elegant homemade scones are a sweet addition to the dessert table for all. Exceptionally juicy Honeycrisp apples pair up perfectly with raw honey, cinnamon and cardamom to capture the authentic autumn flavor everyone expects for the holiday. Keep this recipe handy! Diced pears or cranberries can be subbed in for apples for a festive addition to your Christmas breakfast spread.
Gluten-Free Apple-Oat Scones
Serves 8
Ingredients
2 cups unpeeled apples, diced
1/3 cup honey (or maple syrup for vegan version)
½ cup coconut oil
½ tsp. almond extract
1 tsp. apple cider vinegar
¼ cup water
1 cup, plus 2 Tbsp. gluten-free rolled oats, divided
2 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour
¼ cup arrowroot starch flour
1 tsp. xanthan gum
1 Tbsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
¼ tsp. nutmeg
2 tsp. cinnamon
½ tsp. cardamom
Pinch ground cloves
½ tsp. sea salt
Optional: 2 Tbsp. coconut sugar for sprinkling
Directions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- In large bowl, sift together 1 cup oats, all-purpose flour, arrowroot starch flour, xanthan gum, baking powder and soda, nutmeg, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves and sea salt.
- In medium-sized pot, combine honey and coconut oil; place on stove over medium heat and stir until melted. Add almond extract, apple cider vinegar and water.
- Pour honey mixture into sifted dry mixture and stir well. Mix in apples. Pour out onto flour-covered surface and shape 1” thick, large circle. Slice circle into 8 wedges.
- Arrange wedges on parchment-lined baking sheet and sprinkle with sugar, if desired.
- Bake scones for 15 to 18 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool on a wire rack.
(Note: Scones can be stored at room temperature for up to two days or frozen for up to one month.)
Variations:
Use diced pears or cranberries instead of apples.
Experiment with spices to achieve your favorite flavor.
Try adding lemon or orange zest to the mix.
Add in chocolate chips and/or drizzle scones with melted dark chocolate.