Delicious juicy chunks of fruit wrapped in a gently nutty dough, you'll hardly believe these roast pear and fig scones are pretty healthy too.
This post may contain affiliate links, where we earn from qualifying purchases. See more details in the policy page.
So I was a little preoccupied on Sunday to update in that post (which was already written, helpfully, since it went with what we had earlier in the week) with the news that the latest addition to the family has arrived!
My toddler is taking to being a big brother pretty well so far and our new little boy seems to be settling in well too, although of course it's early days.
Given that I first announced the addition with some baking, it seems only fair to celebrate his arrival with some more, and these delicious roast pear and fig scones are particularly fitting.
For one, I am loving the fact that I have some of these in the freezer to be a tasty pick-me-up over the coming weeks. But also they are filled with two of my favorite fruits, one light-colored one dark, just like my two boys.
I think I have always been a fan of fresh figs, but I particularly remember falling in love with them when my older sister lived in France when I was a teenager. She was based in Montpellier and I remember visiting the beautiful walled city of Carcassonne when we were visiting one time.
As we were walking up the old streets, there were fig trees hanging over the walls. The fruit was hanging down over the path and I can still conjure up the intensely delicious fragrance.
We enjoyed a few wonderfully fresh figs that trip. Sadly, they are rarely as fresh in the supermarket, but I still like to get them at least once or twice when I see them.
The power of roasting!
One way to bring out the flavor of fresh figs is roasting them and so I got to thinking about adding them into scones. Pears also benefit from roasting and are another favorite. They both go well together so they were a natural pairing.
Add a bit of hazelnut that goes with both, a touch of spice and you have some wonderfully tasty roast pear and fig scones.
Tips for making roast pear and fig scones
- Make sure all the dry ingredients are well combined first.
- Rub in the butter then add the wet ingredients until just combined.
- Finally fold in the fruit taking care not to break them up - there is a lot of fruit to dough, but don't worry, it should hold together.
- You don't want to over mix the dough as the scones become heavy and in the case of these ones, the fruit will break up.
- This is quite a soft dough, so make sure you cut it on a well-floured surface.
- Personally I don't bother rolling the mixture - in fact it would be very hard to - just flatten it with floured hands then cut.
Delicious balsamic roasted pear and figs, some hazelnut flour in the batter to add a little nuttiness without taking over. A little sugar but not much, since there's delicious chunks of sweet, juicy fruit in there to add sweetness.
These roast pear and fig scones are a delicious mix of flavors, with a balance of crunch and softness. These will definitely be made again - my toddler seemed to agree when he tried them. Number two will need a little longer before he's a taste-tester.
Enjoy scones? Try these other tasty takes!
- Gingerbread scones
- Strawberry scones with mascarpone
- Apple bacon cornmeal scones
- British scones
- Plus these Meyer lemon scones from Dessert for Two are most definitely on my list to try.
You'll also find more snack recipes, both sweet and savory, in the archives.
Tools to make these scones
I'd recommend using a Silicone Baking Mat on top of a Half Baking Sheet to make these. (affiliate links)
Roast pear and fig scones
Ingredients
- 8 oz pear 230g, approx 1 large pear, peeled & cored weight
- 6 oz fresh figs 175g
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour 100g plain flour
- ½ cup wholewheat flour 62g wholemeal flour
- ½ cup hazelnut flour 50g ground hazelnuts
- 2 tablespoon sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 6 tablespoon butter 85g
- ¼ cup buttermilk 4tbsp
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Peel and core the pear and remove the tough stems from the figs. Dice both into bite-size pieces (the figs will be in around 8ths, depending on size).
- Toss the pear and fig pieces in the balsamic vinegar and roast for 20min at 375F/190C.
- Remove from oven, toss the pieces of fruit in the juices that have formed so they take on the flavor/stickiness, and allow them to cool while you prepare dough - they can also be roasted ahead of time and used cold.
- Mix the dry ingredients - the flours, sugar, salt, baking powder and cinnamon - then rub in the butter to form breadcrumbs. Add the buttermilk and vanilla, mix lightly, then the fruit and mix gently until combined.
- Tip the mixture onto a well-floured surface, flatten and shape into a circle or rectangle and cut into triangles or squares/rectangles.
- Carefully transfer onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 375F/190C for 18-20mins until they are lightly golden. Remove to a cooling rack.
Nutrition
See some of my favorite cooking tools and ingredients in the Caroline's Cooking Amazon store.
(post updated, primarily with new photos (apart from the new addition at the time!) Jul '18)
Catherine says
How beautiful! I love fresh figs and this recipe sounds lovely. I have to give it a try soon!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, it's a tasty combination. Enjoy!
Emily says
I'm so happy it is fig season! These scones look delicious!
Caroline's Cooking says
Love fig season too, and this is a great way to use some.
Pam Greer says
I can't believe I've never made scones!! I love fresh figs and these look like they would be amazing!! It would be great to have some of these in the freezer!
Caroline's Cooking says
Scones are so worth trying - I have lots of other favorites too 🙂
Sonal says
Oh this is super yumm. The roasted pears and figs must have made a great combination to this scone. I can see you have a great collection of scones and biscuits.. just lovely..
I am sure your baby is doing well and keeping you busy 🙂
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, the flavors are so delicious together. In fact my 'baby' is now 2 now, just recently re-shared this after updating photos, but he's definitely still keeping me busy 😉
Lisa Bryan says
Ooh, what a lovely combo the roast pears and figs. Sounds delicious!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, they really are so delicious together.
Judi Graber says
There's nothing more special than a new baby - congratulations Caroline. Good combination with your scones - they look delicious!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, Judi!
Angie says
Did my comment disappear or did I accidentally leave it on another post? Lol. Oh well... You can never congratulate too many times, can you? So, congratulations on the arrival of your new baby. He's perfect! So adorable! I'm shocked you're still cooking, with a toddler and a brand new baby in tow. Goes to show how awesome a mama you are! ❤️❤️
Caroline's Cooking says
No, my site just decided to send it to spam for some reason, but I found it, and thanks again 🙂
Angie says
Congratulations! He's adorable! How magical it must be to snuggle up to him, and his brother, too, of course. They grow up so fast, so enjoy every minute! And I'm shocked you're still cooking! You ARE an awesome mama!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thank you, Angie - in fairness these scones were cooked in advance, but I'm loving that I have them in the freezer now 🙂 But I am still cooking - it's kind of my therapy or my way of feeling like I have done something with the day, even if it's something simple!
Michelle @ Giraffes Can Bake says
Congratulations Caroline, he's gorgeous! I'm impressed you got a new post out already with how full your hands must be, super mum right there!
These scones look amazing, I adore figs and I'm so glad we're in fig season now - not seen any at my local market yet but as soon as I do I'm scooping them up and get my bake on!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, Michelle, I did try to prepare ahead a bit, but I do love as a result I have some great things like these in the freezer! I love fig season as well, and I do love them in these scones.
Kristen @ A Mind Full Mom says
I can't believe you pulled off ANY post after your sweet new baby--he is perfect!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, Kristen - well, I tried to plan ahead a little and he's being relatively cooperative so far!
Denise Wright says
I wish I had one of these right now as I'm drinking my afternoon tea. Looks delicious!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, Denise, they are tasty, I need to make some more once the freezer ones are done!