Spiced Ginger-Pear Scones - Buttery, Flaky, and Irresistible!

Spiced Ginger-Pear Scones – A Buttery, Flaky Treat with the Perfect Touch of Sweet & Spice!

 

Spiced Ginger-Pear Scones - Buttery, Flaky, and Irresistible!

There’s nothing quite like the warm, buttery goodness of homemade scones, and these Spiced Ginger-Pear Scones take things to the next level! Delicately flavored with juicy pears and a touch of sweetness, these scones get a little kick from crystallized ginger, creating the perfect balance of warmth and spice. With a golden, flaky texture that rivals any bakery-style treat, they’re an irresistible addition to your breakfast or brunch spread. Plus, they’re incredibly easy to prepare—using my go-to scone recipe with just a few flavorful add-ins!

These scones are perfect for spring brunches, cozy Sunday breakfasts, or an afternoon pick-me-up with a cup of coffee or tea. Whether you're hosting friends or simply treating yourself, they bring a hint of elegance to any occasion without requiring hours in the kitchen. The combination of tender pears and spicy-sweet ginger makes them feel special yet approachable—an ideal bake for both seasoned scone lovers and beginners alike.

So why should you make these? Because they’re simple, bakery-worthy, and full of flavor! The buttery layers create the ultimate melt-in-your-mouth experience, while the fruity, spiced notes make each bite truly memorable. Whether enjoyed fresh from the oven with a drizzle of honey or served alongside your favorite tea, these Spiced Ginger-Pear Scones are bound to become a new favorite in your baking routine!

What Ingredients do I need?

Pantry Staples

• All-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar
• Baking powder
• Salt

Dairy

• Butter (unsalted)
• Whole milk
• Eggs

Produce

• Pears (ripe but firm)  I used D'Anjou pears

Baking Add-Ins

• Crystallized ginger

Substitutions and Variations

Substitutions

• Flour Substitutes:  Whole wheat flour (use half whole wheat, half all-purpose for a heartier texture)

• Sugar Substitutes:  Brown sugar (for a deeper, caramel-like flavor), Coconut sugar (for a less refined option), Sugar Substitute (for a lower carb version)

• Milk Substitutes:  Heavy cream (for an even richer scone), Buttermilk (adds a slight tang and tender texture)

Variations

• Maple Pecan Pear Scones:  Swap the crystallized ginger for chopped pecans,  Add 1-2 tbsp maple syrup to the dough for extra warmth, Drizzle with a maple glaze (powdered sugar + maple syrup + a touch of milk)

• Chai-Spiced Pear Scones:  Add ½ tsp cinnamon, ¼ tsp cardamom, and a pinch of cloves for a chai-inspired flavor.  Substitute brown sugar for a deeper sweetness,  Serve with honey butter for a cozy treat.

• Lemon Ginger-Pear Scones:  Add 1 tbsp fresh lemon zest to the dough for a bright citrusy twist, Swap the milk for buttermilk to enhance tanginess, Drizzle with a lemon glaze (powdered sugar + lemon juice).  

• Honey Almond Pear Scones:  Replace crystallized ginger with toasted sliced almonds, Use honey instead of sugar for a natural sweetness, Top with a light honey drizzle after baking.

Kitchen Tips and Notes

• Keep Ingredients Cold:  Use cold butter straight from the fridge and cut it into the flour quickly to create flaky layers. You can even freeze the butter and grate it for even distribution.

• Don’t Overmix the Dough:  

  Mix the wet and dry ingredients just until combined—overworking the dough can make the scones tough instead of tender.

• Handle the Dough Gently:  When kneading, use a light touch—just enough to bring the dough together.  Press the dough straight down with the biscuit cutter rather than twisting it—this helps the scones rise evenly.

• For Extra Flakiness:  After cutting, place the unbaked scones in the freezer for 10–15 minutes before baking. This chills the butter again, resulting in better layers.

• Serving & Storage:  Best served warm, fresh out of the oven with butter, honey, or jam.  Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temp for up to 2 days or freeze for longer storage. Reheat in a 300°F oven for a few minutes.

    EQUIPMENT YOU MAY NEED    

• Large mixing bowl – for combining dry and wet ingredients

• Pastry cutter – to cut in the cold butter for a flaky texture

• (Optional) Box Grater – Instead of cutting butter in with a pastry cutter, freeze the butter and grate it with a box grater for quick, even distribution.

• Measuring cups & spoons – for accurate ingredient portions

• Whisk – for mixing the dry ingredients and whisking the egg

• Biscuit cutter – to shape the scones

• Baking sheet – for placing the scones before baking

• Parchment paper – to prevent sticking and ensure even baking

• Cooling rack – to cool the scones slightly before serving

• (Optional) Bench Scraper – Perfect for lifting and shaping dough without sticking to your hands. Also great for cleaning up flour from your work surface!

• (Optional) Fluted Biscuit Cutter – Gives your scones a bakery-style look with beautifully crimped edges.

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Spiced Ginger-Pear Scones 

yield:   18 scones

3 cups all purpose flour

3 tbsp sugar

1/2 tsp salt

4 tsp baking powder

3/4 cup butter (cold)

1 egg

1 cup whole milk

1 1/2 pears, peeled and small diced

1/3 +1/4 cup crystallized ginger 

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Add the dry ingredients to a large bowl and combine.

Using a pastry cutter cut cold butter into flour mixture until there are pea-sized pieces of butter throughout.  Add the milk, egg, pear and ginger and mix just until combined. 

Remove the dough to a generously floured work surface and knead just until it comes together. Pat the dough out to 3/4 - 1 inch thickness and cut with a biscuit cutter.  

Place the scones on a baking sheet and bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until golden brown on top.  Remove from the oven and allow to cool on a wire rack for several minutes.  Serve warm.

Fall Flavors: Quinoa Harvest Salad

My Quinoa Harvest Salad is bursting with fall flavors! Apples, pears, dried cranberries, quinoa and spinach are doused with a cider vinaigrette for a healthy, seasonal salad!

Quinoa Harvest Salad

When Fall hits I start wanting all the seasonal ingredients I can get.  I decided that our first salad of the season would combine some sweet/tart flavors mixed with multi colored quinoa.  I love to make large salad that we can eat with meals and as a snack all week long.  This one is perfect for that.

Tart apples, sweet pears, and tart dried cranberries are mixed with quinoa and baby spinach then tossed with a delicious cider vinaigrette.  It's the perfect harvest salad!  Never made your own vinaigrette?  Let me show you how easy it is.

Enjoy!

What Ingredients do I need?

Produce
Pears - I used D'Anjou
Apples - I used Envy

Baby spinach

Nuts and Dried Fruit
Dried Cranberries

Grains

Quinoa - I used a multi-colored variety

Pantry Items

Olive Oil

Apple Cider Vinegar

Dijon Mustard

Garlic clove

Substitutions and Variations

• Change up the salad greens:  Use any dark leafy green such as chopped kale or arugula

• Try adding squash: Roasted butternut or sweet potatoes

• Add nuts:  Think pepitas or pumpkin seeds, walnuts, almonds - or go nut free

• Change up the dried fruit:  go with raisins, golden raisins, dried cherries, or even apricots
• Try a different grain:  bulgur, farro, or quinoa would all be great choices

Kitchen Tips and Notes

• Make Ahead:  cook your quinoa on the weekend and then refrigerate until you make the salad during the week.
• Apples come in many varieties:  try Gala, Jazz, or Golden Delicious

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Quinoa Harvest Salad

serves 6

Salad

1 cup uncooked quinoa
2 apples, diced (I used an Envy apple)
2 pear, diced (I used D'Anjou)
2 cups baby spinach
1/3 cup dried cranberries

Apple Cider Vinaigrette

1/4 olive oil

2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

1 tsp garlic, minced

pinch of salt & pepper to taste

Cook quinoa according to the package directions. Don't forget to rinse the quinoa to remove the bitterness.
Remove the quinoa from the heat and let it cool to room temperature.

In a large bowl combine the cooled quinoa, apple, pear, dried cranberries, and baby spinach.  Toss to combine.  

In a small jar mix together the apple cider vinaigrette ingredients.  

Pour the vinaigrette over the salad and toss to coat.  Serve at room temperature or cover and refrigerate until you are ready to serve.  

Winter Salads: Pomegranate, Pear & Feta Salad

This is the perfect winter salad that would be great on a brunch buffet, entertaining, or at a Sunday dinner!

Pomegranate, Pear & Feta Salad

We are big on salads anytime of the year and this one is filled with pears, pomegranate seeds, almonds, and feta all on a bed of green leaf lettuce. This salad is gorgeous and bright.  Another plus is that it can be made ahead of time.  Serve it with a simple white wine vinaigrette for one wonderful winter salad.

Enjoy!

What Ingredients do I need?

• Green leaf lettuce 

• D 'Anjou Pears

• Pomegranate Seeds

• Sliced Almonds

• Cucumber

• Feta Cheese

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil

• White Wine Vinegar

• Dijon Mustard

• Honey

Substitutions and Variations

• Use any type pear you like

• Use apple instead of pear

• Try kale, arugula, or spinach for the base

• Make a pomegranate dressing using pomegranate juice

• Try crumbled goat cheese or blue cheese.

• Pistachios would be a great substitute for the almonds

Kitchen Tips and Notes

• Buy Pomegranate Seeds in the frozen aisle.  Use what you want and keep the rest in the freezer. (plus they are cheaper!)

• I buy sliced almonds for convenience, they are perfectly thin and delicate and it saves me loads of time.  I also use them on yogurt, ice cream, and as a topping for many side dishes.

• Try to get firm, yet ripe, pears.  It will hold up better in the salad.

• Serve it in a beautiful serving bowl for a wow presentation.

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Pomegranate, Pear & Feta Salad

serves 6

Salad:

1/2 head of green leaf lettuce, chopped
2 D 'Anjou Pears, cored and chopped
1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
1/3 cup sliced almonds
1 cucumber, chopped
2 oz feta cheese, crumbled

White Wine Dressing:

1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/4 cup white wine vinegar

1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 Tablespoon honey

1/4 teaspoon salt

pinch of black pepper

In a large bowl combine lettuce, pears, pomegranate, almonds, and cucumber.  Sprinkle with feta cheese.  For dressing combine all ingredients in a jar and shake to combine.  Drizzle over the top of the salad and toss.

 

Pear Quinoa Salad

My fresh tasting Pear Quinoa Salad is quick and easy to make.  It combines nutty flavored whole grain quinoa, sweet and light pears, and crunchy walnuts for an exceptional flavor combination. The perfect side dish for your menu!

Pear Quinoa Salad

I love a good side salad.  They are so versatile, I can serve them alongside a sandwich for Sunday lunch, or next to grilled chicken, fish or steak for dinner.  This salad features quinoa (a quick cooking whole grain that has a nutty flavor), red and green D'Anjou pears, chives for a little savory onion flavor, and walnuts for crunch. 

Easy and quick to pull together, this salad packs big flavors that shine in this light salad.  This salad is best when eaten at either room temperature or cold.  You will want to chill this for a good 15 min once it's pulled together to meld the flavors and cool down the quinoa.

Enjoy!

What Ingredients do I need?

• quinoa - multicolor or yellow
• D'Anjou pears - red and green
• chives
• walnuts
• walnut oil
• pear vinegar

Substitutions and Variations

• No walnut oil? use canola or grapeseed oil.

• No pear vinegar, raspberry or pomegranate will work.  You want a fruity vinegar.

• Use your favorite pear.

• This would work well with Israeli couscous instead.

• Switch up the herb with thyme, basil or even mint.

Kitchen Tips and Notes

• Rinse the quinoa well in a mesh strainer to remove some of the natural bitter coating.

• toast nuts in a small dry skillet over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until fragrant and lightly browned, 2 to 4 minutes.

• This is the Pear Vinegar that I use.

• This is the Walnut Oil that I use.

• This is the Multicolor Quinoa I use.

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Other Salads you may like:

Mediterranean Lentil Salad
Ribbon Spring Salad with Buttermilk Dressing
Carrot and Almond Bulgur Salad
Strawberry Avocado Spinach Salad with Poppyseed Yogurt Dressing

Tangerine Salad

Pear Quinoa Salad

serves 6

1 3/4 cup water
1 cup quinoa (see Tips), rinsed if necessary
2 tablespoons walnut oil
1 tablespoon pear vinegar
¼ cup snipped fresh chives
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
2 ripe but firm D'Anjou pears, red and green, diced
1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts, toasted (see Kitchen Tips and Notes)

Bring water to a boil in a large saucepan. Stir in quinoa, reduce heat to maintain a simmer, cover and cook until the liquid is absorbed and the quinoa has popped, about 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, whisk oil, vinegar, chives, salt and pepper in a large bowl.  Add pears and toss to coat.

Drain any excess liquid from the cooked quinoa.  Add the quinoa and walnuts to the bowl and toss to combine. Place in the refrigerator to cool for about 15 minutes. Serve cold or at room temperature.

Irish Flag Salad

A light and refreshing seasonal crossover salad from Winter in to Spring that just happens to be the color of the Irish flag!

Irish Flag Salad

I didn't get this posted before St. Patrick's Day but no matter.  This salad isn't actually Irish but it's pretty, and it boasts the colors of the Irish flag!  Wonderfully sweet pears and segments of juicy oranges sit on a bed of spinach and are studded with bits of feta cheese and chopped pistachios, all doused with a sweet citrus vinaigrette.   

This is the perfect accompaniment to grilled chicken, fish, or steaks.  Add in some protein and you will also have a hearty main dish salad.  Enjoy the flavors of this salad as pears and oranges are so light and refreshing and they go perfectly together.  Then there's a little feta for some bite and pistachios for a little crunch.  Throw in a little red onion if you like to bring a more savory note.  This is one delicious salad!

What Ingredients do I need?

• spinach
• Anjou pear
• Cara Cara oranges
• feta cheese
• pistachios
• basil
• olive oil
• lemon
• honey
• white wine vinegar

Substitutions and Variations

• Use any pear you would like
• Use navel instead of Cara Cara oranges
• Use canned mandarin oranges instead of fresh
• Use a spring mix or romaine instead of spinach
• Goat cheese instead of feta
• Almonds or walnuts instead of pistachios
• Add grilled chicken or fish for a main entree salad
• Use a poppyseed or your favorite light vinaigrette

Kitchen Tips and Notes

- Leave the peel on the pear for texture and color

- Supreme the orange, which is a technique to cut away the membranes to create beautiful slices. Slice off the end piece of the orange then slice off the peel and the white pith by following the sphere of the orange down the sides. Set it on it's side and cut along the side of a membrane toward the center. Then slice along the adjacent membrane until the cuts meet releasing the segment.

- Use in season fresh ingredients for the best flavor
- A mild feta cheese is best for subtle flavor
- Adding crunch to the salad gives it texture
- Any sweet dressing would go with this salad

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Irish Flag Salad

Serves 4

2 Cara Cara oranges, Supreme into segments

1 D'Anjou Pear, cored and thinly sliced

4 large handfuls of spinach

1/3 cup feta cheese, crumbled

1/4 cup pistachios, chopped

1/4 cup basil, torn into pieces

Dressing:

3 Tablespoons olive oil

2 Tablespoons orange juice

1 Tablespoon lemon juice

1 teaspoon honey

1 teaspoon white wine vinegar

salt & pepper to taste

In a large salad bowl, layer spinach, pears and oranges, feta cheese, pistachio, and basil. 

In a small bowl, whisk together dressing ingredients.  Drizzle over the salad, toss and serve.