Name: Starbucks Copycat Vegan Pumpkin Scones Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 16 min
Total time: 31 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups all purpose flour; 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed; 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice mix; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup vegan butter, cold and cut into small cubes or pieces; 1/2 cup pumpkin puree; 2 tablespoons almond milk or other milk; 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce; 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract; 1 cup powdered sugar; 1-2 tablespoons almond milk; 1 cup powdered sugar; 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice mix; 1-2 tablespoons almond milk

Jump to Recipe· 4.5 from 63 reviews

If you’re craving that cozy fall flavor and love the idea of pumpkin spice without any of the fuss, then you’re going to adore this Starbucks Copycat Vegan Pumpkin Scones Recipe. I’ve been making these scones for friends and family, and let me tell you, they deliver that perfect balance of tender, flaky pastry and spicy pumpkin warmth, just like the ones at Starbucks but 100% plant-based and homemade. Stick around because I’m sharing all my tips and tricks to make these your new favorite fall treat!

🖤

Why This Recipe Works

Perfect Plant-Based Texture: Using cold vegan butter and applesauce keeps the scones tender yet flaky without any dairy.
Warm Pumpkin Spice Flavor: The pumpkin pie spice and pumpkin puree bring authentic fall vibes without overpowering sweetness.
Double Glazing Magic: The combo of a simple white glaze and a spiced glaze adds a beautiful finishing touch that’s just like Starbucks!

Starbucks Copycat Vegan Pumpkin Scones, vegan pumpkin scones recipe, fall vegan baked goods, vegan pumpkin spice pastries, dairy-free pumpkin scones - The image shows a close-up of several triangular scones placed on a wire cooling rack over a white marbled surface. Each scone has a golden-brown, slightly rough texture base with a smooth, thick white icing layer covering the top. Over the white icing, there are thin, even lines of light brown drizzle arranged diagonally from one corner to the other. The scones are arranged in a casual pattern, filling the frame with their detailed textures and colorful toppings. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient here plays an important role in capturing that iconic Starbucks flavor while keeping it vegan and approachable to make at home. Plus, I’ve got a few pointers on picking just the right products below.

All-purpose flour: The base for structure; using all-purpose flour gives the scones a flaky, tender crumb.
Brown sugar: Adds moisture and a subtle caramel note that complements pumpkin perfectly.
Pumpkin pie spice mix: This blend is the heart of pumpkin flavor. Homemade or store-bought both work—just make sure it’s fresh.
Baking powder & baking soda: These leavening agents help the scones rise just right without being too cakey.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the warm spices.
Vegan butter: The key to flaky layers—make sure it’s cold when you mix it in to achieve that perfect crumb.
Pumpkin puree: Use plain canned pumpkin (not pie filling) for smooth texture and natural pumpkin sweetness.
Almond milk: Or any plant-based milk, just enough to bring everything together smoothly.
Unsweetened applesauce: Adds moisture and tenderness while keeping the scones light.
Pure vanilla extract: Amplifies depth and rounds out all the warm flavors.
Powdered sugar: The base for both glazes, ensuring a smooth finish that hardens nicely on top.

📝

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love experimenting with this Starbucks Copycat Vegan Pumpkin Scones Recipe to suit different moods or ingredients I have on hand. Feel free to tweak these scones in ways that excite you—like swapping out the almond milk for oat or coconut, or adjusting spices to your taste.

Spice it up: I sometimes add a pinch of ground cardamom or a little extra cinnamon for a bolder flavor kick.
Nutty add-ins: Chopped pecans or walnuts fold in beautifully if you want a little crunch.
Gluten-free option: I’ve tried a gluten-free flour blend, which works okay but changes the texture slightly—just keep an eye on baking time.
Less sweet: You can cut back on the brown sugar and glaze if you prefer a more subtle sweetness like I sometimes do for breakfast.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Starbucks Copycat Vegan Pumpkin Scones Recipe

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

First things first, get your oven preheated to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it. This makes cleanup easier and prevents any sticking. Having this ready while you mix is a simple step that helps everything flow smoothly.

Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients and Cut in Vegan Butter

In a large bowl, mix the flour, brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Then add the cold, cubed vegan butter. I like to use a pastry cutter or just my hands quickly to rub the butter in until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs. This part is key for those flaky layers, so don’t rush it!

Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients and Mix to Dough

Dump in the pumpkin puree, almond milk, applesauce, and vanilla extract. Stir everything with a big wooden spoon until you get a soft dough. It might feel a little sticky—that’s normal. If it’s too sticky to handle, dust your hands with flour, but try not to add too much extra.

Step 4: Shape and Cut

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it just a few times until it holds together. Press it down into a circle about 1 inch thick. Grab a pizza cutter or a sharp knife and cut the circle into 8 equal wedges, like slicing a pizza. This classic shape is so satisfying to make!

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Place the wedges on your prepared baking sheet and pop them in the oven for 14 to 16 minutes. Keep an eye on them—they should turn lightly golden on top and smell incredible. Take them out and let cool on the tray for at least 15 minutes before glazing.

Step 6: Whisk Up Your Glazes

While your scones cool, mix up the glazes. For the white glaze, combine powdered sugar with 1 to 2 tablespoons almond milk, adjusting until it’s pourable but not runny. For the spiced glaze, stir powdered sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and almond milk. I love drizzling both on each scone for that authentic Starbucks look and double dose of flavor.

Step 7: Glaze and Serve

Drizzle the white glaze first, then the spiced glaze on top. Let them set for at least 10 minutes so the glazes firm up nicely. Then dig in, preferably with a hot cup of coffee or chai—trust me, this combo is unbeatable.

💡

Tips from My Kitchen

Cold Butter is Non-Negotiable: Keep your vegan butter super cold before cutting in—warm butter ruins the texture.
Don’t Overwork the Dough: Knead lightly and only enough to bring dough together to prevent tough scones.
Cut Evenly for Uniform Baking: Using a pizza cutter helps create neat slices that bake evenly every time.
Glazing While Warmish: Wait for scones to cool but still be slightly warm so glaze sticks well but doesn’t melt completely.

How to Serve Starbucks Copycat Vegan Pumpkin Scones Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with the white and spiced glazes because that classic Starbucks look wins every time. But if I want a little extra flair, a light sprinkle of cinnamon or freshly chopped toasted pecans adds a lovely crunch and aroma that’s just unbeatable.

Side Dishes

These scones are fantastic with a hot cup of black coffee or a chai latte. I also enjoy pairing them with a fruity compote like warm apple or cranberry sauce on the side when serving brunch. They stand up well to both sweet and savory breakfast spreads!

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday gatherings, I like to arrange these on a rustic wooden board surrounded by mini pumpkins and autumn leaves—so festive! Drizzling the spiced glaze in a zig-zag pattern and dusting lightly with edible gold dust once set has even wowed my guests. Feel free to get playful with presentation, especially if you’re gifting these.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After glazing, I store leftover scones in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay wonderfully moist and fresh for about 3 days, which means you can make them ahead for a quick grab-and-go treat during the week.

Freezing

I’ve frozen these scones both before and after glazing. If freezing pre-glaze, wrap them well and thaw in the fridge overnight before glazing and warming. Glazed scones freeze best in a single layer wrapped individually to avoid glaze damage—the texture holds up beautifully.

Reheating

For reheating, I pop them in a 350°F oven for about 5-7 minutes to refresh that flaky exterior and warm the spice notes. Microwaving works in a pinch, but you risk softening the glaze too much. A gentle oven warm-up keeps them tasting like fresh-baked magic.

FAQs

Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of canned pumpkin puree?

Yes! You can roast fresh pumpkin and puree it yourself—just be sure to cook it until very soft and scoop out the flesh free of excess water for the best texture. The flavor will be fresher but might require slight adjustments to moisture.
Is this Starbucks Copycat Vegan Pumpkin Scones Recipe nut-free?

The recipe as written uses almond milk, which is tree nut-derived. You can easily swap it with oat milk, soy milk, or any allergy-friendly milk to make it nut-free without impacting flavor or texture.
What if I don’t have pumpkin pie spice mix?

No worries! You can make your own blend using 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ground cloves, ½ teaspoon ground ginger, and ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg. This DIY mix works just as well and tastes fresh.
How do I know when the scones are done baking?

Look for a light golden color on the tops and edges. They should feel firm but still tender when pressed gently. If in doubt, test the center wedge by poking with a toothpick—it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.

Final Thoughts

This Starbucks Copycat Vegan Pumpkin Scones Recipe is my go-to every fall because it captures all the cozy, nostalgic flavors without fuss or animal products. Sharing it with friends is always a joy, especially with that dazzling double glaze that never fails to impress. Trust me—you’ll want to keep this one saved and make it your own seasonal staple. Cozy up and enjoy every pumpkin-y, spicy bite!