The Tastiest Classic Pumpkin Scones (Better Than Starbucks)
These Pumpkin Scones are soft, flaky, buttery, and bursting with cinnamon and pumpkin flavors. They are not only super simple to make but also a very delicious fall treat that your family is going to love, just like mine!
What makes them even more special though is the delicious pumpkin-spiced white glaze that goes on top! It completes the beauty of this tasty dessert, and balances out the flavors completely!
In fact, these taste even better than Starbucks’ pumpkin scones and are still lower in calories! Once you try these at home, you won’t want to ever have store-bought pumpkin scones again!
Plus, these scones are not overly sweet and are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a mid-day coffee break on a chilly day. You can even have them as a dessert after dinner. It’s one of the best pumpkin recipes out there!
Want to learn how to make this delicious Pumpkin Scones recipe? Then keep on reading!
What are Pumpkin Scones?
Pumpkin scones are a delicious, moist, and fluffy treat that is perfect for breakfast or as an afternoon snack. They’re also great to make with kids because they can help you cut the dough into shapes before baking them.
Pumpkin scones are essentially delicious scones flavored with pumpkin puree for the tastiest fall treats ever! This is one of the best pumpkin recipes that works for just about any occasion!
What’s best is that everyone loves them, including kids! They can also be a fun activity to do with the kids in the kitchen, as they can help cut the scones into wedges!
Trust me, you’re about to fall in love with this recipe! It’ll give you soft, flaky, and buttery scones that you won’t ever forget.
What You Need to Make Pumpkin Scones at Home
Making these delicious treats at home requires simple pantry-staple ingredients. Let’s look at what these are in more detail:
For Pumpkin Scones:
- All-purpose flour: All you need is some simple, all-purpose flour to help give these tasty scones structure and volume.
- Baking soda: We’ll also need some baking soda to help leaven the scones properly so that you have ones that are light and fluffy.
- Baking powder: To assist in the leavening process, we will also use some baking powder in our recipe.
- Ground cinnamon: Cinnamon will add a delicious and beautiful warmth to the scones, and they perfectly complement the pumpkin flavor in this recipe.
- Pumpkin pie spice: We’ll also be using some delicious pumpkin pie spice to boost the flavor even more!
- Salt: To balance out all the flavors, we’ll also add some salt to our scones batter. You can use either sea salt as I have, or even kosher salt.
- Unsalted butter: This is a key ingredient, as we will be cutting unsalted butter into small cubes and then ‘cutting’ the cold butter!
Eggs: To help soften the scones and also add structure to them, we’ll be using some large eggs in our scones batter.
White sugar: You’ll also need some regular white granulated sugar to sweeten it to just the right level.
Brown sugar: We’ll also use some brown sugar because it will add depth to the sweetness of your scones, but won’t make them over-sweet!
Vanilla extract: You’ll also need some vanilla extract so that we can bring out all the balances from the rest of the ingredients. We’ll add one tablespoon of it in the recipe.
Half & half: This is my secret ingredient! It’ll add moistness and richness to the scones, without taking away from the crumbly, delicious texture and flavor.
Pumpkin puree: To add the perfect pumpkin flavor to our scones, we’ll be using one and a half cups pumpkin puree in this recipe. I’ve used homemade pumpkin puree.
Pecan: We’ll also need some pecans to add a delicious texture to the scones.
For Scone Glaze:
- Powdered sugar: This will be the base of our delicious white glaze giving you a delicious scone glaze that doesn’t really well with our pumpkin scones.
- Pumpkin pie spice: We’ll also add some pumpkin pie spice so that we can get an extra pumpkin pie flavor in this delicious glaze turning it into a tasty pumpkin pie spiced glaze!
- Half & Half: You’ll also need some half and half, as it will help you get the right consistency.
How to Make Pumpkin Scones (Step-by-Step)
This recipe is super easy to follow along do the tastiest Pumpkin Scones ever! But to make it even easier for you, I’ve added step-by-step pictures below! Here’s how to make pumpkin scones at home:
How to Make Pumpkin Scones Batter
Let’s start by preparing the pumpkin scones batter! Beat eggs with brown and regular sugar for a couple of minutes on high speed. Then reduce the mixing speed to low and add vanilla, half & half, and pumpkin puree. Set aside until ready.
Next, in a large mixing bowl, combine and stir together all dry ingredients, namely flour, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Add the cold butter that has been cut into small cubes to the flour mixture. This is where we’ll ‘cut’ in cold butter to our mixture. Using a pastry cutter (or fork), cut the butter into dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Then, combine it with wet ingredients, pecans, and dry ingredients and gently fold everything together.
How to Shape Pumpkin Scones
Time to shape out pumpkin scones before baking them! Transfer the batter from a bowl onto a lightly floured surface. Split the dough into two portions and knead each portion into balls.
Pat the dough into a round 10” circle in diameter and ½” thick. Using the pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut the dough circle into 8 equal wedges.
Place scones onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Repeat the same instruction with the second half of the dough.
How to Bake Pumpkin Scones
Bake scones in a preheated oven at 350 degrees F (180 C) for 25 minutes or until light golden brown in color.
Remove from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack to warm temperature before dipping scones into the glaze. You can alternatively drizzle the glaze on top.
How to Make Pumpkin Scones Glaze
While the scones are cooling prepare the glaze. Combine powdered sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and half & half in a small bowl. Using a fork whisk everything together until combined.
Dip each scone in the glaze. Let the glaze dry completely before serving!
Your delicious Pumpkin Scones are ready to be served!
Recipe Variation Ideas for Pumpkin Scones
This recipe is, honestly, absolutely delicious and perfect as it is. But if you’re looking to customize the flavor, here are a few quick and fun ideas to try:
Warm spices: Add a teaspoon nutmeg to your flour mixture before cutting in the cold butter to enhance the cinnamon and pumpkin flavor in the scones!
Other spices: Alternatively, you can add some other spices to them! A teaspoon ground ginger powder will give you a spicy, crisp flavor. On the other hand, one teaspoon ground cloves will bring out the sweet, aromatic flavor to balance everything out perfectly.
Make Ahead Tips for Pumpkin Scones
If you want to prep these in advance, you can actually make them ahead and freeze them till you’re ready! All you need to do is freeze unbaked scones dough in the freezer.
Allow the dough to cool in the freezer until it’s firm, and then transfer them to resealable plastic bags. You can store them this way in the freezer for up to 1 month!
When it’s time to bake them, just pop them in the oven but remember that they’ll need a few extra minutes in there so keep an eye on them and take them out when they look golden brown. Then add the glaze on top before serving!
How to Store Leftover Pumpkin Scones
You can store any leftovers you may have in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Alternatively, you can also store them in the freezer for up to three months!
When it’s time to have them, allow them to thaw in the fridge overnight before brushing the glaze on top!
Similar Recipes You’ll Love
- Pumpkin Cheesecake Muffins
- Healthier Homemade Carrot Cake
- Pumpkin Tiramisu Cake
- Carrot Cupcakes
- Mashed Potato Dinner Rolls
Check all Thanksgiving recipes HERE.
The Tastiest Classic Pumpkin Scones (Better Than Starbucks)
Ingredients
Pumpkin Scones Batter Ingredients
- 6 cups – organic all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp. – ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp. – pumpkin pie spice
- 1 tsp. – baking powder
- 1 tsp. – baking soda
- ½ tsp. – sea salt
- 8 oz. – unsalted cold butter
- 1 ½ cups – pure homemade pumpkin puree
- ¼ cup – organic sugar
- ¼ cup – brown sugar
- 3 large – eggs
- 1 tbsp. – pure vanilla extract
- 6 tbsp. – half & half
- 1 cup – pecan chips
Pumpkin Scones Glaze Ingredients
- 2 cups – confectioners’ sugar
- 5 tbsp. – half & half
- ½ tsp. – pumpkin pie spice
Instructions
How to Make Pumpkin Scones Batter
- Let’s start by preparing the pumpkin scones batter! Beat eggs with brown and regular sugar for a couple of minutes on high speed. Then reduce the mixing speed to low and add vanilla, half & half, and pumpkin puree. Set aside until ready.
- Next, in a large mixing bowl, combine and stir together all dry ingredients, namely flour, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Add the cold butter that has been cut into small cubes to the flour mixture. This is where we’ll ‘cut’ in cold butter to our mixture. Using a pastry cutter (or fork), cut the butter into dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Then, combine it with wet ingredients, pecans, and dry ingredients and gently fold everything together.
How to Shape Pumpkin Scones
- Time to shape out pumpkin scones before baking them! Transfer the batter from a bowl onto a lightly floured surface. Split the dough into two portions and knead each portion into balls.
- Pat the dough into a round 10” circle in diameter and ½” thick. Using the pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut the dough circle into 8 equal wedges.
- Place scones onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Repeat the same instruction with the second half of the dough.
How to Bake Pumpkin Scones
- Bake scones in a preheated oven at 350 degrees F (180 C) for 25 minutes or until light golden brown in color.
- Remove from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack to warm temperature before dipping scones into the glaze. You can alternatively drizzle the glaze on top.
How to Make Pumpkin Scones Glaze
- While the scones are cooling prepare the glaze. Combine powdered sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and half & half in a small bowl. Using a fork whisk everything together until combined.
- Dip each scone in the glaze. Let the glaze dry completely before serving!
- Your delicious Pumpkin Scones are ready to be served!
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This recipe was originally posted on Oct 17, 2015 (original picture below), and updated for a better user experience. The post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure.
This is so delicious! Thank you Valya for the recipe!
You are very welcome Irina! Enjoy 🙂
Wow these look fantastic! I’d love one right now. Always beautiful pictures too! Amazing..
Thank you Nina! They taste really good too.