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Gluten-Free Pear and Ginger Scones with Cardamom Glaze

By Freeflourish Editorial TeamPublished Apr 25, 2026 | Updated Oct 17, 2026
American-inspired 60 mins glutenfreebakingholidayclassicseasonaldessertfamilyfriendlyeasyfreezablesnackbreakfastholiday

Gluten-free scones with diced pear and crystallized ginger, finished with a cardamom glaze. Estimated timing (not kitchen-tested): preparation 15 minutes; cooking 20 minutes; additional elapsed time 25 minutes; total about 60 minutes. Additional time includes the relevant cooling, chilling, soaking, marinating or resting stages. Cooling varies with room temperature and portion size. Times are planning estimates based on the instructions. Follow the stated doneness and temperature checks, and extend cooking or cooling as needed.

Gluten-Free Pear and Ginger Scones with Cardamom Glaze
Prep 15 min
Cook 20 min
Total 60 min
Servings 8
Difficulty easy
Cuisine American-inspired

Recipe Details

Prep15 min
Cook20 min
Total60 min
Servings8
Difficultyeasy
CuisineAmerican-inspired
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Ingredients

Servings 8
  • 2 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour blend (with xanthan gum included)
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 6 tbsp cold unsalted butter (or dairy-free butter substitute), cut into small pieces
  • 1 cup fresh pear, peeled and diced (about 1 medium pear)
  • 1/2 cup crystallized ginger, chopped small
  • 3/4 cup buttermilk (or dairy-free milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice), cold
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2 tbsp milk or dairy-free milk
  • 1/4 tsp ground cardamom
  • 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
FreeFlourish Gluten-Free Pear and Ginger Scones with Cardamom Glaze ingredients
FreeFlourish Gluten-Free Pear and Ginger Scones with Cardamom Glaze ingredients

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the gluten-free flour blend, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well combined.
  3. Add the cold butter pieces to the flour mixture. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, quickly cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized bits of butter remaining.
  4. Gently fold the diced fresh pear and chopped crystallized ginger into the flour and butter mixture.
  5. In a separate bowl, whisk together the cold buttermilk, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth.
  6. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently stir with a spatula until just combined. The dough will be slightly sticky but should hold together without excessive wetness. Avoid overmixing.
  7. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface (using gluten-free flour) and pat it into a roughly 8-inch circle about 1-inch thick.
  8. Use a sharp knife or bench scraper to cut the dough into 8 equal wedges.
  9. Carefully transfer the scones to the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
  10. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown around the edges and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  11. While the scones bake, prepare the cardamom glaze by whisking together the powdered sugar, milk, ground cardamom, and vanilla extract in a small bowl until smooth and pourable. Adjust consistency by adding a few drops more milk if needed.
  12. Remove the scones from the oven and let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
  13. Once slightly cooled but still warm, drizzle the cardamom glaze generously over the scones.
  14. Allow the glaze to set for 10-15 minutes before serving.
  15. To freeze: let scones cool completely, then wrap individually in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe container. Reheat in a 350 degrees F oven for 10-12 minutes directly from frozen.
FreeFlourish Gluten-Free Pear and Ginger Scones with Cardamom Glaze finished dish
FreeFlourish Gluten-Free Pear and Ginger Scones with Cardamom Glaze finished dish

Tips

Allergen Overlap Note

Check every packaged ingredient for certified gluten-free status, especially spices, broths, sauces, seed products, and baking staples. Use clean prep surfaces and dedicated utensils when preparing Gluten-Free Pear and Ginger Scones with Cardamom Glaze for someone with celiac disease.

Dining With Non-GF Family Note

Prepare and serve on a dedicated gluten-free surface first, then keep any shared side dishes separate with dedicated serving utensils.

Timing note

Allow for preparation, 18-20 minutes baking, 5 minutes initial cooling, further cooling and 10-15 minutes glaze setting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make Gluten-Free Pear and Ginger Scones with Cardamom Glaze ahead?
Yes. Prepare components early, then store and reheat according to the storage guidance so the texture stays close to fresh.
How do I keep this recipe gluten-free?
Use certified gluten-free packaged ingredients and avoid shared utensils, boards, pans, or toppings that touched gluten-containing foods.
Can I adjust the main ingredients?
Follow the stated ingredients. Substitutions can change binding, moisture and cooking time; equivalence has not been established.
How do I serve it with mixed-diet family?
Serve the gluten-free recipe first and keep any gluten-containing toppings and sides separate.

Storage and Reheating

Cool completely before covering. Refrigerate leftovers for up to 4 days, or freeze for later use. Reheat slowly to keep texture closer to fresh.

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