Name: Gluten-Free Pumpkin Scones Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups Gluten Free Flour; ½ cup brown sugar (lightly packed); 2 teaspoons baking powder; ½ teaspoon baking soda; 2 ½ teaspoons cinnamon; ½ teaspoon ginger; ½ teaspoon nutmeg; ¼ teaspoon cloves; ¼ teaspoon allspice; ¼ teaspoon salt; ½ cup cold butter, cubed; ½ cup pumpkin puree; 1 egg; 2 tablespoons heavy cream; ¾ cup powdered sugar; 1 tablespoon heavy cream; ¾ cup powdered sugar; 1 tablespoon pumpkin puree; 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice; 1 tablespoon heavy cream

Jump to Recipe·4 from 79 reviews

If you’re on the hunt for a cozy yet wonderfully flavorful treat, this Gluten-Free Pumpkin Scones Recipe is your new best friend. Imagine tender, buttery scones bursting with warm autumn spices and the natural sweetness of pumpkin, all without gluten to hold you back. Perfect for breakfast, an afternoon pick-me-up, or sharing with friends around the table, these scones bring that irresistible homemade charm paired with a luscious glaze duo that’s sure to have everyone asking for seconds. They’re straightforward to make yet impressive in every bite, capturing the essence of fall while staying delightfully light and gluten-free.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows two triangular pastries on a metal cooling rack over an orange cloth, all set on a white marbled surface. Each pastry has a brown, slightly textured base with a smooth layer of white icing covering the top. Over the white icing, there are zigzag stripes of light brown glaze. One of the pastries has a bite taken out of it, revealing the dense, crumbly inside. In the background, more of these pastries are softly blurred. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

These ingredients are simple but essential, each playing a starring role to create the perfect balance of texture, flavor, and that vibrant pumpkin hue. From the gluten-free flour that forms a tender base to the fragrant spices that give you instant cozy vibes, every item is chosen to elevate this scone experience.

2 cups gluten-free flour: This forms the soft, tender body of your scones without gluten, ensuring a light crumb.
½ cup brown sugar (lightly packed): Adds caramel notes and natural sweetness that complement pumpkin perfectly.
2 teaspoons baking powder: Helps the scones rise beautifully for a light texture.
½ teaspoon baking soda: Works with the acid in pumpkin to give a slight lift and tenderness.
2 ½ teaspoons cinnamon: The warm spice that instantly evokes autumn coziness.
½ teaspoon ginger: Adds a subtle zing that cuts through the sweetness.
½ teaspoon nutmeg: Deepens the spiced flavor profile with a nutty aroma.
¼ teaspoon cloves: Delivers a hint of bold spice that rounds out the taste.
¼ teaspoon allspice: Brings complexity with its mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves notes.
¼ teaspoon salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all other flavors.
½ cup cold butter, cubed: The key to flaky layers and rich flavor; keep it cold to get that perfect texture.
½ cup pumpkin puree: Adds moisture, vibrant color, and that unmistakably pumpkin essence.
1 egg: Helps bind ingredients and adds richness.
2 tablespoons heavy cream: Keeps the dough tender and moist.
¾ cup powdered sugar (for glaze): Sweetens and smooths the icing on top.
1 tablespoon heavy cream (for glaze): Thins the glaze to just the right consistency.
1 tablespoon pumpkin puree (for pumpkin glaze): Infuses a bright pumpkin flavor into the finishing touch.
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (for pumpkin glaze): Adds layered warmth to the pumpkin glaze.

How to Make Gluten-Free Pumpkin Scones Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Dry Ingredients

Start by preheating your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and lining a baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking. In a large bowl, whisk together all your dry ingredients – the gluten-free flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, spices, and salt. This blend of aromatic spices will ensure every bite is bursting with warmth.

Step 2: Cut in the Butter

Next, add the cold, cubed butter to your dry mixture. Using a pastry cutter or fork, cut it in until the mixture turns crumbly and resembles coarse crumbs. This step is crucial because those bits of butter create the flaky texture that gives scones their irresistible tenderness.

Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients

In a smaller bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, egg, and heavy cream. Now gently fold this wet mixture into your crumbly dry ingredients just until everything comes together. Be careful not to overmix—you want the dough to hold together but remain light and tender.

Step 4: Shape the Dough

Turn your dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead it flat into a circle roughly ¾ inch thick. This shape is perfect for evenly sized scones. Use a sharp knife or bench scraper to cut the dough carefully into 8 wedges. Each wedge will bake into a perfect scone.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Transfer those wedges to your prepared baking sheet, spacing each about one inch apart to allow for expansion. Bake for 13 to 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the tops are a lovely golden color. Remove them to a cooling rack to rest before glazing.

Step 6: Make the Frosting and Pumpkin Glaze

While your scones cool, prepare two kinds of glaze: a simple white frosting and a pumpkin-spiced glaze. Mix powdered sugar with heavy cream for the base frosting until it’s smooth and creamy. In a separate bowl, combine powdered sugar, pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, and heavy cream for the pumpkin glaze. Transfer the pumpkin glaze into a piping bag for easy drizzling.

Step 7: Frost and Decorate

Once the scones are cool, spread about one tablespoon of the white frosting over each scone. Let these set for about 5 minutes to firm up slightly before drizzling the spiced pumpkin glaze over the top using your piping bag. Allow the glazes to set for another 5 minutes and then get ready to enjoy!

How to Serve Gluten-Free Pumpkin Scones Recipe

A single large triangle-shaped cookie sits on a white plate in the foreground, showing a golden brown base layer with a thick shiny white icing layer on top, covered with light brown swirled drizzle. In the background, more triangular cookies of similar size and color are spread out on a white marbled surface, some whole and one with a small bite taken out. A light cream-colored bottle and a small white pumpkin are blurred in the background, with a black and white checkered cloth partially visible at the bottom left corner. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

For an extra special touch, sprinkle a few toasted pepitas or chopped pecans on top of the pumpkin glaze before it sets. A light dusting of cinnamon sugar after glazing can also add a sparkling finish that’s just as delightful to the eyes as it is to the taste buds.

Side Dishes

These scones shine paired with a hot cup of chai tea, cinnamon-spiced coffee, or a creamy latte. For a more filling treat, serve alongside fresh seasonal fruit like sliced apples or pears, or a scoop of vanilla yogurt that complements the spices without overwhelming the delicate pumpkin flavor.

Creative Ways to Present

Turn your scones into a charming dessert platter by stacking them on a rustic wooden board with small bowls of honey, clotted cream, or even a tangy cranberry compote. They also make fantastic gifts when wrapped prettily with twine and a sprig of cinnamon stick for that festive autumn vibe.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

You can store leftover scones in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days without losing their tender crumb. Just make sure they’re fully cooled before storing to prevent condensation and sogginess.

Freezing

Want to enjoy these scones later? Wrap each one individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. They’ll keep beautifully frozen for up to two months. Freezing preserves their flavor and texture so you can simply pop them out as needed.

Reheating

To reheat, thaw frozen scones at room temperature and then warm in a 350-degree oven for about 5 to 8 minutes. This brings back their fresh-baked warmth and slightly crisp edges. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it can make the scones rubbery.

FAQs

Can I use canned pumpkin instead of fresh pumpkin puree?

Absolutely! Canned pumpkin puree is actually perfect for this recipe, providing consistent moisture and flavor while saving time on prep.

What if I don’t have pumpkin pie spice? Can I use individual spices instead?

Yes, you can blend cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and allspice in a pinch. The recipe includes these spices, so feel free to mix them fresh for your glaze or scones.

Is it possible to make these scones dairy-free?

You can substitute the butter and heavy cream with plant-based alternatives such as coconut oil and oat or almond milk cream, but note the texture and flavor might shift slightly.

How do I make sure my gluten-free scones turn out tender and not dry?

Be careful not to overwork the dough and keep your butter cold—it creates those lovely flaky layers. Also, do not skip the heavy cream as it adds essential moisture.

Can I double the recipe to make a bigger batch?

Yes, doubling works well. Just make sure to mix ingredients evenly and bake scones on multiple trays if needed, adjusting oven time slightly if necessary.

Final Thoughts

This Gluten-Free Pumpkin Scones Recipe is a heartwarming way to bring seasonal flavors right into your kitchen with ease and love. Whether you’re new to gluten-free baking or a seasoned pro, these scones offer a perfect balance of cozy spices and pumpkin sweetness. I can’t wait for you to make and share these—they just might become a beloved fall staple for years to come!