Fragrant and buttery scones made with pumpkin puree, a blend of ground spices and drizzled with cream cheese glaze for a sweet and tangy finish. Enjoy the seasonal flavours of pumpkin and spice with this easy pumpkin scones recipe. Bonus: it is a great way to use up leftover pumpkin puree!
When to Serve Pumpkin Scones
There’s no wrong way to enjoy pumpkin scones, but they are the best during the fall season! Here are some serving suggestions:
Breakfast and/or Brunch
Pumpkin scones are a great addition to the breakfast and/or brunch table. Serve them alongside the meal with a hot cup of tea or coffee to start the day off right!
Afternoon Tea
Although these scones are not traditional, they are great to serve during afternoon tea especially to celebrate the cooler season. Serve them with clotted cream and preserves, if desired.
Dessert
If you’re looking for an after meal treat, reach for a pumpkin scone. It’s a sweet and tasty baked good that can be enjoyed any time of the day.
Pumpkin Scones Ingredients
- Flour: This scone recipe starts with all-purpose flour.
- Baking Powder: The leavening agent to increase the height of the scones.
- Salt: A small amount will help bring out the fall flavours.
- Sugar: Dark brown sugar gives this recipe the rich molasses flavour that goes so well with pumpkin.
- Spices: Make your own pumpkin pie spice blend by adding ground cinnamon, cloves, ginger and nutmeg to the mixture.
- Butter: Very cold butter is a must so it does not melt into the dough before baking.
- Pumpkin Puree: 100% pure and unsweetened pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling.
- Milk: You can use dairy or dairy-free milk.
- Vanilla: Extract, not vanilla bean or paste.
Cream Cheese Glaze Ingredients
The cream cheese glaze only takes a few minutes to whip together. Some of the ingredients above are needed (milk, vanilla extract and salt) plus these 2 items:
- Cream Cheese: Have the cream cheese sitting out at room temperature for about 30 minutes so it is soft and therefore easier to whisk until smooth.
- Confectioners’ Sugar: Also known as powdered sugar or icing sugar.
Best Pumpkin Scones Recipe
Find the full ingredient measurements and directions in the printable recipe card towards the end of this post.
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, combine all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, dark brown sugar, ground cinnamon, ginger, cloves and nutmeg.
Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, cut cold butter into the dry mixture until coarse, similar to pea-sized crumbs.
In a separate bowl, whisk pumpkin puree, milk and vanilla extract. Add the wet ingredients to the large bowl of dry ingredients and mix until dough forms. Don’t overwork the dough, as this can make the scones tough.
With floured hands, form dough into a ball and transfer to a floured surface. Gently pat the dough into a round 8 inch disk. Cut the disk into 8 equal wedges and set on the lined baking sheet.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-23 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from the oven and cool on baking rack before adding glaze.
To make the cream cheese glaze:
Beat cream cheese and 1 tablespoon milk until smooth. Add confectioners’ sugar, vanilla extract and salt. Mix until creamy.
The glaze should be pouring consistency but not too runny. If it is too thick, add a little bit more milk until it reaches the proper consistency.
Drizzle the cream cheese glaze over each scone and sprinkle with pepitas (optional).
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I store these scones?
These scones taste best the day of baking but they can also be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Can I make these pumpkin scones without the glaze?
Yes, you can. If you don’t want to glaze the scones, I highly suggest brushing the tops of the scones with milk and sprinkling granulated sugar before baking. This will add a slight sweetness and crunch.
How do I make vegan pumpkin scones?
To make vegan pumpkin scones, use vegan butter and non-dairy milk. If you still want the cream cheese glaze, use a vegan cream cheese or omit the glaze.
What happened to the Starbucks pumpkin scones?
Starbucks may have discontinued their pumpkin scones but they still offer pumpkin spice lattes and other pumpkin treats during the fall season, including a pumpkin muffin with cream cheese filling!
If you miss the Starbucks pumpkin scones, then you will definitely want to make this recipe at home.
Pumpkin Scones with Cream Cheese Glaze
Ingredients
FOR THE PUMPKIN SCONES
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup dark brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 8 tablespoons butter cold
- ½ cup pumpkin puree
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- pepitas for garnish (optional)
FOR THE CREAM CHEESE GLAZE
- ¼ cup cream cheese room temperature
- ¼ cup confectioners’ sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1-2 tablespoons milk
- pinch of salt
Instructions
TO MAKE THE SCONES:
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, dark brown sugar, ground cinnamon, ginger, cloves and nutmeg.
- Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, cut cold butter into the dry mixture until coarse, similar to pea-sized crumbs.
- In a separate mixing bowl, whisk pumpkin puree, milk and vanilla extract. Add the wet ingredients to the large mixing bowl of dry ingredients and mix until dough forms. Don't overwork the dough, as this can make the scones tough.
- With floured hands, form dough into a ball and transfer to a floured surface. Gently pat the dough into a round 8 inch disk. Cut the disk into 8 equal wedges and set on the lined baking sheet.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-23 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from the oven and cool on baking rack before adding glaze.
TO MAKE THE GLAZE:
- Beat cream cheese and 1 tablespoon milk until smooth. Add confectioners' sugar, vanilla extract and salt. Mix until creamy. The glaze should be pouring consistency but not too runny. If it is too thick, add a little bit more milk until it reaches the proper consistency.
- Drizzle the cream cheese glaze over each scone and sprinkle with pepitas (optional).
Notes
More Pumpkin Recipes You Will Love:
More Fall Scone Recipes:
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