Copycat Starbucks Pumpkin Scones

I’ve always had a soft spot for treats that carry a quiet sense of calm, and these pumpkin scones bring exactly that feeling back to me every year.

I still remember sitting near a window in a busy café, trying to slow down for a few minutes with a warm drink in my hands. The moment I took a bite of their pumpkin scone, the day felt softer.

It wasn’t just the taste—it was the gentle spice, the soft crumb, the sweet glaze settling on top. That small bite made the whole morning feel lighter.

That memory stayed with me, and over time I kept trying to recreate that same warm moment in my own kitchen.

After many trials, adjustments, and patient weekends, this recipe finally gave me that same comforting treat I used to look forward to.

The tender texture, the warm spices, the glaze that settles into every little ridge—all of it comes together in a way that feels familiar and steady.

Now, every time I bake a batch, the kitchen fills with a cozy mix of spice and sweetness that instantly makes the day feel gentler.

These scones have become a quiet little ritual, the kind you reach for when you want a break from the noise.

And once you taste them fresh from your own oven, you’ll understand why they’ve become such a steady favorite in my home.

Starbucks Pumpkin Scones Recipe

Ingredients

For The Scones

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
1/2 cup tightly packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
1 large egg
3 tablespoons whole milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

For The Vanilla Glaze

1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

For The Pumpkin Spice Drizzle

1 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon pumpkin puree
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1–2 teaspoons milk (only if needed to thin)

Instructions

For Making Pumpkin Scones

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside. This helps the scones bake evenly and prevents their bottoms from burning.
In a large mixing bowl, add the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. Stir well so all the spices blend evenly into the flour. This step strengthens the flavor in every bite.
Add the cold butter cubes into the dry mixture. Use your fingertips or a pastry cutter to rub the butter into the flour until it forms tiny pea-sized crumbs. The colder the butter stays, the flakier your scones will be.
Add the brown sugar and lightly toss it through the crumb mixture so it spreads evenly without clumping.
In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, egg, milk, and vanilla. Whisk until the mixture looks smooth and creamy.
Pour the pumpkin mixture into the flour mixture. Use a spatula or wooden spoon to gently fold everything together. Stop mixing as soon as the dough comes together. The dough should feel soft but not sticky.
Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Shape it gently into a circle about 7 inches wide and 1 inch thick. Try not to knead or push the dough too much, or the scones may become dense.
Once shaped, cut the dough into 8 equal wedges, just like slicing a pizza.
Place the wedges on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one. They will puff up as they bake.
Bake for 14–17 minutes until the tops look firm and slightly golden. The center should feel set when lightly touched. Let the scones cool completely before glazing so the icing doesn’t melt.

For Making The Glazes

Vanilla Glaze

In a small bowl, whisk the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. You want it thick enough to sit on top of the scone without running off too quickly.
Drizzle this glaze generously over the cooled scones and let it set for a few minutes.

Pumpkin Spice Drizzle

In another small bowl, whisk the powdered sugar, pumpkin puree, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.
If the mixture is too thick, add milk a few drops at a time until it becomes smooth enough to drizzle.
Using a spoon or piping bag, drizzle thin lines over the vanilla glaze to create the signature striped look.

What Makes These Starbucks Pumpkin Scones Soft And Tender?

This explains why the texture turns out so close to the original bakery-style scones.

Cold Butter: Cold butter melts slowly during baking, forming tiny layers that keep the inside soft.
Gentle Mixing: Light handling prevents the dough from turning firm.
Balanced Moisture: Pumpkin puree adds softness only when used in the right amount.

Cold butter is the main factor behind a flaky, tender scone. When the dough is mixed too much, gluten tightens and creates a tough texture, so it’s important to stop as soon as the dough forms.

Pumpkin adds moisture, but too much can make the dough dense, which affects how well the scones rise.

How Should Starbucks Pumpkin Scones Be Shaped For Even Baking?

Proper shaping keeps each piece uniform so everything bakes at the same speed.

Lightly Flour The Surface: Makes shaping easier without sticking.
Shape Into A Round Disc: A 7-inch disc gives even height throughout.
Cut Into 8 Wedges: Equal wedges help the texture stay consistent.

Working with a slightly sticky dough becomes much easier when the surface is lightly floured.

A round disc ensures that every wedge is the same size, preventing overbaked edges and underbaked centers. This simple shaping method helps maintain the classic look.

Why Should The Scones Cool Before Adding Glaze?

Cooling preserves the two-layer glaze design and keeps it from melting away.

Keeps Glaze In Place: A cool surface prevents sliding.
Cleaner Appearance: The glaze sits smoothly instead of soaking in.
Better Flavor Balance: Cooling allows spices in the scone to settle.

Adding glaze too early melts it into a thin layer that disappears instead of staying visible.

Allowing the scones to cool completely helps both the vanilla glaze and pumpkin drizzle form clear lines and a stable finish.

Can Starbucks Pumpkin Scones Be Prepared Ahead Of Time?

This is useful for planning and saving time.

Refrigerate The Dough Overnight: The texture stays the same.
Freeze Unbaked Wedges: They bake perfectly later.
Glaze Only When Serving: Keeps the surface neat.

Resting the dough overnight in the refrigerator helps it firm up, making cutting easier.

Frozen scones bake well when placed straight into the oven, and adding glaze at the end keeps the finish smooth and fresh.

How Can Dry Or Firm Scones Be Fixed?

These simple methods help bring back moisture.

Short Microwave Warm-Up: Softens the texture quickly.
Brush With Warm Milk: Lightly restores moisture on top.
Store Properly: Prevents dryness from happening.

A quick warm-up helps revive scones that have lost moisture. Brushing milk on top adds a little freshness back to the crust. Proper storage is the easiest way to keep them soft from the start.

What Is The Best Way To Store Starbucks Pumpkin Scones?

This section helps keep them fresh for days.

Room Temperature For 2 Days: Store in an airtight container.
Refrigerator For 5 Days: Keeps them fresh longer.
Freezer For 2 Months: Best for unglazed scones.

Room-temperature storage works well for short-term use. When refrigerated, the texture firms slightly but softens again once brought back to room temperature. Freezing unglazed scones is the most reliable long-term method.

How Should Starbucks Pumpkin Scones Be Reheated Without Ruining The Glaze?

Reheating needs to be gentle so the glaze doesn’t melt.

Use Low Oven Heat: Warms slowly without damaging the glaze.
Keep The Time Short: Only a few minutes are needed.
Avoid Microwaving: The glaze melts too quickly.

Low heat keeps the structure and glaze intact. High heat softens the glaze too much, and microwaving can completely melt it.

Can The Spices Be Adjusted In Starbucks Pumpkin Scones?

Adjusting spices is easy and still keeps the scones balanced.

More Cinnamon: Creates a warmer flavor.
Less Cloves: Reduces strong, sharp notes.
Balance With Sugar: Keeps flavors even.

Cinnamon adds warmth that blends well with pumpkin. Cloves can overpower if increased too much, so reducing them creates a milder taste. Keeping sugar steady helps balance all spices.