Pumpkin Scones Recipe

These tender pumpkin scones are packed with warm spices and topped with a wonderfully sweet glaze.

They capture the essence of fall in every bite, making them the ideal companion for cozy mornings when the air is crisp.

They’re easy to make and even easier to enjoy, whether you’re savoring a quiet moment alone or sharing them with friends and family.

Why You’ll Love These Pumpkin Scones

Versatile Treat: These scones are great as a quick breakfast treat with coffee or tea or an elegant brunch centerpiece. They’re also sweet enough for dessert or a nice pick-me-up in the afternoon. 

Customizable: This recipe offers plenty of room for personalization. You can add chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruits or experiment with different glazes to suit your preferences. 

Deliciously Seasonal: These fragrant, flavorful scones are perfect for capturing the cozy, inviting atmosphere of fall.

Ingredients

• Pumpkin Puree: Be sure you get pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling. It gives the scones their rich, fall flavor and moisture without all the additives of pie filling. 

• All-Purpose Flour: For structure. 

• Baking Powder & Baking Soda: For lift. 

• Spices: Cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves—the quintessential quartet of autumn spices—give these treats their flavor and fragrance. 

• Salt: Just a dash to enhance all the sweet and spicy flavors. 

• Unsalted Butter: Use frozen to create the coveted flaky layers that make scones so irresistible. 

• Heavy Cream: For richness and tenderness. If desired, swap it out for cold buttermilk for a tangier twist. 

• Egg: Holds the dough together and adds structure and richness. 

• Vanilla Extract: For warmth, coziness, and a well-rounded, “homemade” taste. 

• Glaze: The smooth, sweet finishing touch of powdered sugar, cream, vanilla extract, and optional spices. 

How to Make Pumpkin Scones

Scones aren’t the easiest baked goods to whip up, but they aren’t as challenging as many people think, either.

Take it one step at a time, and you’ll be just fine. 

1. MIX the flour, sugars, baking powder, baking soda, spices, and salt. Add the frozen butter and mix until it resembles coarse crumbs.

2. COMBINE the pumpkin puree, 1/4 cup heavy cream, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth. Then gently mix into the dry ingredients just until combined.

3. PAT the dough into a 1-inch thick disc and cut into 8 wedges. Place the wedges on a baking sheet and brush with heavy cream. Chill or freeze for 30 minutes.

4. PREHEAT the oven to 400°F (205°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

5. ARRANGE the scones on the baking sheets with 2-3 inches between them and brush again with cream.

6. BAKE for 20-25 minutes, then let cool for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

7. WHISK the powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon of cream, vanilla, and cinnamon for the glaze. Add more cream as needed, then drizzle over the scones. Enjoy!

Why Are My Scones Tough?

If your scones are tough, you’ve likely overworked the dough.

Kneading causes gluten to form, and over-kneading forms too much gluten, which leads to tough scones. 

The other likely culprit is too much heat.

If the scones get too hot while being worked on and baked, the butter will melt too quickly and seep out, causing them to be flat and tough.

How do you avoid this?

1. Use frozen, grated butter so it mixes easily into the flour.
2. Gently stir in the wet ingredients with a fork or butter knife until a shaggy dough forms.
3. Turn it onto a very lightly floured surface and gently pat/press it into a disc.
4. Handle the dough as little as possible.
5. Chill the dough before baking to keep the butter cold.

Tips for the Best Pumpkin Scones

Scones should be flaky and light with crisp exteriors and tender, fluffy insides. These tips will help you achieve that perfect texture: 

• Use frozen butter. I said it before, but it’s the key to the best scones! Freeze it and grate it if you can. Or ensure it’s as cold as possible, right out of the fridge.

• Don’t overmix. Mix the dough until it’s just combined to avoid toughness. Depending on the wetness of the pumpkin, it might be slightly sticky or dry. Add more flour or cream, a little at a time, as needed.

• Cut into even wedges. The eight wedges should be as even in shape and size as possible. The more uniform they look, the more evenly the scones will bake. 

• Chill before baking. Pop them in the freezer for 15-30 minutes before baking. This helps them hold their shape and rise higher during baking. Also, give them room to rise on the trays.

• Want a golden-brown finish? Don’t skip the heavy cream on top.

• Make them ahead of time. Simply make the dough, shape it into scones, and freeze them. When ready to enjoy, bake them directly from the freezer with a few extra minutes in the oven.

Variations

Want to tweak the recipe to make these scones your own? Try any of these variations: 

• Make them nutty. Add your favorite chopped nuts – walnuts, pecans, etc. – to the dough before cutting and shaping. 

• For a fruity finish. Mix dried cranberries or other dried fruits into the dough. Their tangy tartness will help enhance the pumpkin and spices.

• Satisfy your sweet tooth. Chocolate chips are another excellent mix-in idea. Use mini chips for the best finish.

• Are you a fan of pumpkin spice latte? Dissolve 2 teaspoons of instant coffee granules in the cream before mixing it with the pumpkin puree.

• Experiment with different glazes. Try it with brown sugar instead of powdered sugar or maple syrup instead. A nice drizzle of caramel or chocolate wouldn’t hurt, either!

How to Store

Scones are best enjoyed the day they’re made. After day one, they just won’t have that same magic.

Still, you can store them if you have leftovers:

To Store: Place cooled scones in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days or in the fridge for 3-4 days. 

To Freeze: Flash freeze unbaked scones. until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag for 2-3 months. Bake from frozen with 2-3 minutes more in the oven. Place baked and cooled scones in a freezer bag for 1-2 months. Thaw before enjoying.

More Fluffy Scone Recipes You’ll Love

Apple Cinnamon Scones
Cranberry Orange Scones
Lemon Poppyseed Scones
Chocolate Chip Scones