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Irresistible Starbucks Pumpkin Scones: A Cozy Fall Treat

Nothing whispering “cozy” like these delightful Starbucks pumpkin scones! They deliver a perfect balance of flakiness, tenderness, and warm spices, encapsulating all the fall flavor joy in every bite. Plus, with a double dose of sweet glaze on top, you can never have too much sweetness, right? The best part? You can whip up these golden beauties in under an hour, and they cost significantly less than your favorite coffee shop version!

Pumpkin scone with white and spiced glaze on a white table, close up.

Why You’ll Love These Starbucks Pumpkin Scones

Perfectly Spiced: With the rich flavor of brown sugar, sweet glazes, and real pumpkin, each bite is a celebration of taste!
Year-Round Indulgence: While the stores may limit pumpkin treats to a season, you can enjoy these scones any day of the year!
Double Glaze Magic: The combination of vanilla and spiced glazes not only tastes incredible but also offers stunning visual appeal for your Instagram feed.
Make-Ahead Friendly: You can shape these scones and freeze them before baking, granting you fresh-baked delights whenever the craving strikes!

Ingredients

All-Purpose Flour: This is the base of the scones, giving them structure and a tender crumb.
Brown & Granulated Sugar: Brown sugar adds moisture and a delectable caramel-like sweetness, while white sugar helps with the scone’s structure.
Baking Powder & Baking Soda: Essential for helping the scones rise and develop a light, fluffy texture.
Salt & Vanilla Extract: These enhance all the flavors and help balance the sweetness in the recipe.
Spices: Classic pumpkin pie spice works wonders here; however, feel free to create your preferred spice mix!
Unsalted Butter: Important for creating those flaky layers and adding richness to every bite.
Pumpkin Puree: The star ingredient! It adds moisture, natural sweetness, and, of course, that lovely pumpkin flavor. Make sure it’s puree, not pie filling.
Buttermilk: Contributes richness and aids in achieving a tender, moist texture in the scones.
Egg: Acts as a binder, enhancing structure and richness in the dough.
Glazes: One is a simple combination of powdered sugar, vanilla, and cream. The other includes pumpkin puree and spices for added flavor and gorgeous appearance.

How to Make Starbucks Pumpkin Scones

These scones can accompany your morning coffee or serve up as a delightful afternoon snack. Regardless, they are so tempting, they won’t last long! Here’s how to create these delicious treats:

Steps to Follow:

LINE: Preheat your oven and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside for later.
WHISK: In separate bowls, whisk the dry ingredients in one bowl and the wet ingredients in another. Cut the cold butter into the dry mix, then gently stir everything together until a shaggy dough forms.
KNEAD: On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough just until it comes together. Form it into an 8-inch round, about 1 inch thick, and slice it into 8 wedges.
FREEZE: Pop the scones on the prepared baking sheet into the freezer for 15 to 20 minutes while you preheat the oven to 425°F.
BRUSH: After freezing, brush the tops of the scones with heavy cream and then bake for 14 to 16 minutes until they are golden brown. Allow them to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.
MAKE: Prepare the glazes in separate bowls, adjusting the consistency with more powdered sugar or cream if necessary.
GLAZE: Once the scones have cooled, drizzle them with the glazes. Allow the first layer to set before applying the second. Serve them at room temperature and indulge!

Tips For the Best Starbucks Pumpkin Scones

Though many say to reserve pumpkin baking for fall, I believe it’s a seasonal delight we can enjoy all year long! Here are some helpful tips to ensure your scones come out perfectly every time:

Check your spices: Opt for spices that are less than 6 months old to guarantee vibrant flavors—older spices can lead to dull results.
DIY Spice Blend: Replace commercial pumpkin spice with a blend of 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp nutmeg, 1/4 tsp ginger, and 1/8 tsp ground cloves for a fresher taste.
Drain the pumpkin: To ensure moisture control, spread the pumpkin puree over thick paper towels and let it drain for about 30 minutes, especially if using homemade puree.
Measure precisely: Lightly fluff your flour with a fork and spoon it into the measuring cup before leveling with a knife to avoid excess.
Cold Ingredients Matter: Keep all ingredients cold until you’re ready to mix them. This trick helps to create flaky, tender scones with perfect layers.
Don’t Overwork Dough: Handle the dough minimally to prevent toughness. Your scones should be light and airy!
Thickness Matters: Aim for a thickness of about 1 inch; any thinner might dry them out, while thicker scones may not bake evenly.
Spacing is Key: Place each scone at least 2 inches apart on the baking sheet to ensure even baking and proper air circulation.

How to Store

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from making these scones, it’s that they can disappear quicker than you’d expect! However, if you’re lucky enough to have some left, here’s how to keep them fresh:

Making Ahead:

Prepare your dough and shape the scones. Flash freeze the shaped scones until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag for 2 to 3 months. No need to thaw—just bake straight from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.

To Store:

Once baked and cooled, keep the scones in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate them for up to 5 days (store glazed scones in a single layer).

Freezing:

For short-term freezing, wrap unglazed scones in plastic wrap and foil, then place them in a freezer bag for 2 to 3 months. Allow them to thaw at room temperature before glazing.