Key Ingredient Notes & Tips for Perfect Pumpkin Scones

A complete list of ingredients and precise amounts can be found in the detailed recipe card below. Here, we highlight some specific ingredient callouts and, when needed, provide valuable tips on selecting and preparing them for the best clean eating results. Choosing quality ingredients is paramount to both the flavor and exceptional texture of your homemade gluten-free pumpkin scones!

• Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour Blend: The type of gluten-free all-purpose flour you use can significantly impact the final texture of your scones. I’ve had consistent success and achieved fantastic results using well-known, reliable brands like King Arthur’s and Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free all-purpose flours in this recipe. While I often bake with my personal favorite, Namaste Organic Perfect Flour Blend, it’s important to note that this specific blend was not used during the development or testing of *this* particular scone recipe. For optimal results, sticking with the recommended brands is advisable, as different GF flour blends can absorb liquids differently. Always remember to “spoon and level” your flour measurements for accuracy; packing it down can lead to dense, dry scones.
• Almond Flour: This ingredient is crucial for adding a delicate richness, a tender crumb, and a slightly nutty flavor to our gluten-free pumpkin scones. It’s absolutely vital to use fine-ground almond flour, not almond meal. Almond meal is more coarsely ground and often contains almond skins, which will result in a tougher, grainier scone with a noticeably different and less desirable texture. Almond flour contributes significantly to the scone’s overall tenderness and helps achieve that desirable light, airy crumb that makes these scones so delightful.
• Pumpkin Puree: For that authentic fall flavor and essential moistness, you’ll need pure pumpkin puree. Be very careful to select 100% pure pumpkin puree and always double-check the label to avoid “pumpkin pie mix.” Pumpkin pie mix comes pre-spiced and pre-sweetened, which will completely throw off the carefully balanced flavors and sweetness level of this recipe. The goal here is to add pure pumpkin, allowing our thoughtfully chosen spices to shine through perfectly and create a balanced taste.
• Coconut Sugar: As an unrefined sugar, coconut sugar is our preferred sweetener for these pumpkin scones. It provides a lovely, subtle caramel-like depth of flavor and a natural sweetness that complements the pumpkin and spices beautifully. Its granular texture also works wonderfully within the scone dough, dissolving just enough to sweeten without making the dough too wet.
• Frozen Unsalted Butter: This is a non-negotiable secret to achieving truly flaky, tender scones! Using extremely cold, ideally frozen, unsalted butter is paramount. When grated and cut into the dry ingredients, the frozen butter pieces remain distinct and melt slowly in the oven, creating pockets of steam that lift the dough and result in those coveted flaky layers. Clean food tip: Opting for grass-fed or pasture-raised butter is a fantastic choice, as it not only supports more ethical farming practices but also offers a higher concentration of beneficial nutrients and healthy fats compared to conventional butter. This slight upgrade can truly enhance both the flavor and nutritional profile of your homemade treats.
• Egg: The egg acts as a binder, helping to hold the scone dough together, and contributes to the scone’s richness and golden-brown crust. For those opting for a vegan version, please refer to our substitution notes below for alternative options.
• Milk (plus more for brushing): Milk adds essential moisture to the dough, helping it come together and creating a tender crumb. A little extra milk is used for brushing the tops of the scones before baking, which helps them achieve that beautiful golden sheen. You can use regular dairy milk or your preferred dairy-free alternative.
• Spices (Ground Cinnamon & Pumpkin Pie Spice): These are the very heart of our fall flavor profile. Ensure your spices are fresh and aromatic for the most potent and delicious results. A good quality pumpkin pie spice blend typically includes a harmonious mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves, bringing all those classic autumnal notes to life in perfect balance with the pumpkin.

By paying close attention to these key ingredients and following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to baking a batch of the most delicious, perfectly textured gluten-free pumpkin scones you’ve ever tasted!

Step 1: Combine Dry Ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly whisk together your gluten-free all-purpose flour, almond flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and coconut sugar. Ensure all ingredients are evenly distributed and no lumps remain, as this contributes to a consistent texture and flavor throughout your scones. A good whisking also helps to aerate the flours, making for lighter, more tender scones.

Step 2: Incorporate the Cold Butter. Take your frozen unsalted butter (or very cold, solid coconut oil for dairy-free) and grate it directly into the dry ingredient mixture using the large holes of a box grater. Once grated, use a pastry cutter (or the back of two forks, or even your fingertips if you work very quickly) to cut the butter into the flour. Work quickly to prevent the butter from warming up. Continue until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some distinct pea-sized pieces of butter still visible. These cold butter pockets are the secret to creating those wonderful flaky layers.

Step 3: Prepare the Wet Ingredients. In a separate, small bowl, whisk together the egg (or vegan egg replacement), pumpkin puree, pure vanilla extract, and milk (dairy or dairy-free alternative). Whisk these ingredients until they are well combined and smooth. This step ensures an even distribution of moisture and flavor throughout the scone dough, contributing to a consistent, delicious result.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures. Pour the prepared wet ingredients into the large bowl containing your flour and butter mixture. Using a wooden spoon or a sturdy spatula, gently mix until the ingredients are just combined and a shaggy dough begins to form. The dough will likely be sticky, and it’s perfectly normal to finish mixing it by hand. Gather the dough and lightly knead it a few times within the bowl, just enough until it comes together into a cohesive mass. Be careful not to overmix, as this can warm the butter too much and negatively impact the flaky texture.

Step 5: Shape and Cut the Scones. Lightly flour a clean work surface with extra gluten-free flour. Transfer the sticky scone dough onto this floured surface. With floured hands, gently shape the dough into a cohesive ball. Then, using your hands or a rolling pin, flatten the dough ball into a uniform disc, approximately 6 inches in diameter and about ¾ inch thick. Using a sharp knife or a bench scraper, cut the disc into 8 equal wedges, much like slicing a pizza. Flour your knife periodically if it starts to stick, to ensure clean cuts.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection. Carefully transfer the scone triangles to your prepared baking sheet, ensuring you leave about an inch of space between each one to allow for even baking and proper air circulation. Using a pastry brush, gently brush the tops of each scone with a little extra milk. This milk wash is essential for creating a beautiful golden-brown crust and a lovely sheen. Bake in the preheated 400°F (200°C) oven for 18-20 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are fully set and cooked through. The scones should feel firm to the touch.

Step 7: Prepare Your Glaze. While the scones are cooling on a wire rack, prepare your chosen glaze. For the homemade healthy coconut butter glaze, gently soften the coconut butter in a small microwave-safe bowl for about 30 seconds until it’s pliable but not fully melted. Then, whisk in the maple syrup and milk until you achieve a smooth, pourable, yet thick consistency. If making the classic powdered sugar glaze, combine powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk, adding the milk gradually until it’s just right for drizzling. Refer to the detailed instructions in the recipe card below for both glaze options.

Step 8: Glaze and Serve. Once the scones have cooled sufficiently (they should still be warm but not hot), generously spread or artfully drizzle your chosen glaze over the top of each scone. The coconut butter glaze will set as it cools, creating a delightful, slightly firm finish. Serve these beautiful, freshly baked gluten-free pumpkin scones immediately and savor every comforting bite! They are truly a perfect companion to your favorite fall beverage.

Yes, absolutely! The base recipe is already thoughtfully crafted to be gluten-free, making it accessible for those with gluten sensitivities. To effortlessly convert these into delicious dairy-free pumpkin scones, simply make two straightforward substitutions: replace the traditional unsalted butter with an equal amount of cold, solid coconut oil, and use your preferred dairy-free milk alternative (such as unsweetened almond milk, oat milk, or cashew milk) in place of regular dairy milk. These simple swaps ensure everyone can enjoy these delightful fall treats, regardless of dairy sensitivities or dietary preferences, without compromising on flavor or texture.

While the unparalleled freshness of a warm scone straight from the oven is truly a treat and highly recommended, you certainly can prepare these in advance. For the very best flavor and texture, we recommend enjoying them within a few hours of baking. However, any leftover scones can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 24 hours. To extend their shelf life for longer-term planning, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Before serving, a quick gentle warming in the microwave (15-30 seconds) or a low oven (around 250°F / 120°C for 5-7 minutes) will help restore their tenderness and make them more enjoyable, almost like they were just baked. For truly long-term planning, consider freezing them unglazed as described in the “Storing & Freezing” section.

It’s hard to say definitively, as it’s been many years since I’ve indulged in a baked good from Starbucks, including their pumpkin scones. My focus has always been on creating homemade recipes that are not only incredibly delicious but also align with clean eating principles and offer superior texture. What I can confidently tell you is that these gluten-free pumpkin scones are bursting with authentic fall flavor, perfectly balanced in sweetness, and utterly “drool-worthy.” Whether you opt for the healthy coconut butter glaze or the classic powdered sugar glaze, you’ll find them to be a truly satisfying, wonderfully spiced, and memorable autumnal treat in their own right, deserving of a place in your fall baking rotation!

Using frozen butter is a fundamental secret to achieving the perfect flaky and tender texture that scones are known for. When tiny pieces of very cold, solid butter are incorporated into the dry ingredients, they remain distinct and separate. As the scones bake in the hot oven, these cold butter pieces melt slowly, creating steam that puffs up the dough. This steam generation is what results in airy pockets and distinct layers within the scone, giving it that desirable light and flaky consistency. If the butter is too warm, it melts and fully incorporates into the dough before baking, leading to a denser, more cake-like scone rather than the desired light, airy, and flaky texture. Grating frozen butter helps create those perfect small pieces quickly without warming them with your hands, preserving the butter’s crucial cold state.

Gluten-free Pumpkin Scones

Print
Pin
Rate

Equipment

• ▢
  2 mixing bowls
• ▢
  1 Baking sheet
• ▢
  1 pastry cutter
• ▢
  1 pastry brush

Ingredients

Instructions

Notes

Nutrition