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Home » Breads » Best Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Scone Recipe

Best Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Scone Recipe

08/24/2020 By Laura 25 Comments

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The Best Pumpkin Scone recipe has warm autumn spices, chocolate chips, toasted pecans & (don’t EVEN get me started on the) Salted Brown Sugar Glaze! So scrumptious, they make an awesome breakfast, brunch, or snack! 

Closeup of Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Scone on white plate with a small jar of Brown sugar sauce and tray of more drizzled scones in the background

I do love a good scone, don’t you? Sweet, savory, fruity, plain. I love them all. But, I have to say, though, when I was a kid, I don’t think I ever even heard the word “scone.” Not a word used at all in my MidWestern upbringing. It wasn’t until I came to Seattle for a job interview I saw stands selling things called “latte” and “scone” – I wasn’t even completely sure how to pronounce “latte.” But, I knew I had to order one. Because it was everywhere. So I walked up to the barista (another word I didn’t even know), asked for a latte and a scone, only to be asked “Hot or iced?”, and “Whole milk? 2%? Nonfat?” Goodness, that’s a lot of questions. Um, no idea. “What do you recommend?”

Anyway, the latte, Iced Almond 2%, was a game-changer for me. Wow! Where had this been all my life? And the scone? Let’s say, a bit, um… heavy, dry, bland. So, scones weren’t really a favorite until I tried a proper one. Denser than a biscuit, but soft, buttery, slightly sweet, studded with currants and a hint of lemon. It was amazing! Now, THAT was a scone.

Tray of drizzled scones, showing 6 of them atop a tray, with a small jar of brown sugar glaze and a mug of coffee

And, there’s a lot of debate over the difference between scones and biscuits. Classic Cornish Hampers explains that Scottish scones traditionally are denser than the flakier American biscuits, contain more fat and sugar, and are richer in taste with a crumblier texture. Martha Stewart mentions that British scones are sweeter, and use cream while American Biscuits generally use buttermilk as the liquid ingredient of choice. 

I can’t even pretend these Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Scones with their Salted Brown Sugar Glaze are anything like a “proper” British Scone, but I hope they honor some traditions of scone-making. Their golden baked exterior yields to a light and fluffy interior that’s not too sweet, is studded with bittersweet chocolate chips and toasted pecans. Some whole wheat flour brings a bit of virtue to the party, so you could could call it practically a healthy breakfast or snack.

And the GLAZE! Don’t miss it! I know I’ve gone on and on about scones and biscuits, but this GLAZE! Brown Sugar, Cream Cheese, a touch salty. You might want to just drink it, it’s that yummy, but please, leave enough for the other scone-lovers. A nice (heavy) drizzle of the brown sugar glaze over the top. Or, maybe just pour some on. No judgment here. 

Closeup of Pumpkin Scone drizzled with glaze, with a green napkin at the side and tray of more scones in back

So, whether you are a Scone fan, or think that Scones are just fancy biscuits, I’m betting you’ll love the Best Pumpkin Scones with chocolate chips and Salted Brown Sugar Glaze! 

Enjoy!

If you love pumpkin recipes, take a look at thes:

Pumpkin White Chocolate Blondies

Quick and Easy Maple Pumpkin Pudding Cake

Perfect Pumpkin Spice Granola

Pumpkin Bundt Cake with Salted Caramel Frosting

Pumpkin Penne with Sausage and Spinach

Or if you’re interested in other scone recipes:

Savory Scones with Parmesan and Fennel

Rhubarb-Chevre Scones

Simple Cheddar Onion Scones

Tray of 9 pumpkin chocolate chip scones with pot of brown sugar glaze with spoon over white marble background

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  • Pinterest image Best Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Scones
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Pumpkin Scone Recipe Details ->

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These Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Scones are so easy and so scrumptious, they may end up on your table all-year round, not just during official “Pumpkin Season”!  They’re easy to make, no electrics needed, just a couple bowls, a whisk, and a pastry cutter. 

I always rely on King Arthur Flour (not an affiliate) for baking recipes, like this recipe for Harvest Pumpkin Scones, but I usually change it up a bit. For about half of the flour, I substituted White Whole Wheat Flour. I had expected I might need a bit more liquid because of that. And, indeed, in my hands, I felt like the dough was a little too stiff, so I added some buttermilk.

I love using Buttermilk in baking. It makes the baked goods light and airy, and tenderizes the gluten in flour, and adds a bit of tang, welcome in a sweet. It works especially well when baking soda is used as a leavener. If used with baking powder, it can result in excess tanginess. Since this recipe calls for Baking Powder, I was a bit wary, but I didn’t use that much buttermilk here, and I didn’t notice any excess tanginess, so I didn’t feel the need to switch to baking soda.

I also added some of my favorite ingredients, chocolate chips and chopped roasted and salted pecans. You could stick with KA’s original recipe and add in some candied ginger and/or cinnamon chips instead. 

  • Process shot showing ingredients for Pumpkin Chocolate chip scones
    Ingredients
  • Process shot showing carton of buttermilk
    Buttermilk!
  • Dry ingredients for pumpkin scones
    Flour, sugar,Baking Powder and Pumpkin Pie Spice
  • Process shot of cut-in butter
    Tiny Butter pieces incorporated
  • Process shot Shows mixed pumpkin, eggs buttermilk
    Pumpkin, eggs, buttermilk
  • Process shot shows 2-6" dough circles over floured parchment on baking sheet
    Two 6″ circles of dough
  • Process shot showing 2-6" dough circles over floured parchment on baking sheet, brushed with cream
    Brush circles with milk or cream, and cut into 6 scones
  • Process shot showing baked scones
    Baked!
  • Shows ingredients for Brown sugar glaze: confectioners sugar, cream cheese, brown sugar cream
    Confectioners sugar, cream cheese, brown sugar, cream

So the recipe is pretty straightforward. First, whisk together the dry ingredients. Cut in the butter. For this, I always use my trusty pastry cutter, but if you don’t have one, feel free to use 2 knives, or your fingertips to rub the butter pieces and break them up. Next, mix in the chocolate chips and pecans. In a separate bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, buttermilk and eggs. Add the wet ingredients to the dry, stir until the dough is formed.

If it seems to stiff or there are still big streaks of flour, add another tablespoon or 2 of buttermilk. Then form the dough into 2-6-inch disks right on the parchment-lined baking sheet, (like my favorite USA Pan Baking Sheets), just under 1-inch height. Brush the disks with milk or cream, and cut into 6 scones. Separate the scones a bit from each other and pop into a preheated oven. 

My oven has a “Convection” setting, so I use the lower temperature, and goods tend to bake on the lower end of the time interval. My scones were nice and golden and my toothpick inserted came out clean at 19 minutes. Yours may take up to 25 minutes, so it’s best to keep an eye on them anytime after 18 minutes in the oven. A good rule to remember is once you smell the delicious aromas of whatever is baking, it’s almost done. This is the time to keep your eye on the prize here, and check every minute or two for doneness!

You’ll be rewarded with fluffy, tender, moist and flavorful Pumpkin Scones, studded with melty chocolate chips and salty pecan pieces. And don’t forget the Brown Sugar Glaze! Just a few simple ingredients whisked together with a bit of salt creates a glaze you might just want to put on everything!

Tray of drizzled scones, showing 6 of them atop a tray, with a small jar of brown sugar glaze and a mug of coffee
Print

Best Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Scones Brown Sugar Glaze

Recipe card photo, close-up of Best Pumpkin Scone Recipe with chocolate chips and pecans, drizzled with brown sugar glaze sitting atop baking rack
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★★★★★

5 from 7 reviews

Filled with warm spices and pumpkin, these yummy Pumpkin Scones with Chocolate Chips and Brown Sugar Glaze make the perfect breakfast, brunch, or snack! 

My recipe was inspired and adapted from King Arthur Flour’s Harvest Pumpkin Scone recipe. I’ve added whole wheat flour, chocolate chips, pecans and a bit of buttermilk. The glaze recipe is my own.

This recipe makes 12. If you don’t want to bake them right away, feel free to freeze part of the dough or some of the cut scones to bake later. You can bake them from frozen – let them begin to thaw while you heat the oven, and they may need an extra 1-2 minutes to be fully done. Just be sure to use the tester to be sure they are fully baked.

  • Author: Laura
  • Prep Time: 15 min
  • Cook Time: 19-25 min
  • Total Time: 39-40 min + 30 min freeze time
  • Yield: 12 Scones with Glaze 1x
  • Category: Breakfast, Brunch, Snack, Bread
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Global

Ingredients

Scale

For the Scones:

  • 2 3/4 c (326g) All-Purpose Flour, or (See Note 1)
    • 1 1/2 c (180g) All-Purpose Flour, plus
    • 1 1/4 c (146g) White Whole Wheat Flour
  • 1/3 c (76g) Granulated Sugar
  • 1 Tbsp Baking Powder
  • 1 1/2 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice (See Note 2)
  • 8 Tbsp (1/2 cup, 1 stick, 113g) Unsalted Butter
  • 1 c (5 oz, 142g) Chocolate Chips (Bittersweet or Semi-sweet)
  • (optional) 1/2 c Pecans, chopped (I used roasted, salted)
  • 2/3 c (152g) Pumpkin Puree (NOT Pumpkin Pie Filling)
  • 1/4 c (60ml) Buttermilk
  • 2 Large Eggs

For the Brown Sugar Glaze:

  • 6 T (37g) Confectioners Sugar, sifted
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp (18g) Brown Sugar (I used Dark)
  • 1/8 t Salt
  • 2 oz. (4 T, 67g) Cream Cheese, softened
  • 3 T (45ml) Buttermilk or Heavy Cream

 

Instructions

Make the Scones:

  1. Preheat oven to 425F (Conventional) or 400F (Convection/Fan). In a large bowl, whisk together the flour (or flours if using AP + Whole Wheat), Granulated Sugar, Pumpkin Pie Spice, and Baking Powder.
  2. Cut the butter into 1/2″ cubes, and, using a pastry cutter, 2 knives or your fingers, cut it in until the butter bits are nicely incorporated and of small, but varying sizes (See Photo). 
  3. Stir in chocolate chips, and nuts, if using.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, buttermilk and eggs.
  5. Pour the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients, and mix until the dough is thick, slightly sticky and there are no large streaks of flour left. If the dough feels too thick, or you still see large streaks of flour, you could add another tablespoon or two of Buttermilk to it.
  6. Divide the dough into two equal parts – and place each half on top of floured, parchment-covered baking sheet – you could use two separate baking sheets but you can likely fit them on 1. Shape and flatten each into an approximately 6-inch disc about 3/4″-1″ thick. Brush each disc with milk or cream (not totally necessary, but it adds some nice sheen). Then, using a large sharp knife or a bench scraper, dipped into cold water, cut each circle into 6 relatively equal sections.
  7. Gently and carefully pull the sections apart, maintaining a disc shape, on the pan. You can keep them in the circle shape, with about 1/2 – 3/4″ space between the sections, or further apart, just know mine baked faster when pulled further apart. Place prepared pan, with scones, in the freezer for 30 minutes. This will allow the scones to rise more during the bake!
  8. Bake in preheated oven until dark golden around the edges, and an inserted tester is clean. This should take 19-25 minutes. If they were closer, (1/2″), 22-25 minutes. In my oven, where scones were about 1-inch apart, this took 19 minutes. Once you start smelling their wonderful aroma, just check them every minute or two. Once they look nicely golden, start testing with your tester -( I used a toothpick). They should feel very light if you pick one up. Let cool a few minutes on the pan, then remove to a cooling rack.
  9. After 10-15 minutes, while still warm, drizzle with Salted Brown Sugar Glaze, if desired.

Make the Glaze:

  1. Whisk all ingredients together. If Cream cheese is not nicely softened, just a 10-30 seconds at “Defrost” in the microwave will get it there. If it seems too thin, add a bit more confectioners sugar. If it seems too thick, add a bit more buttermilk or cream. 
  2. Drizzle or spoon over scones 10 minutes after they come out of the oven, or it’s fine to wait until fully cooled, too. You may have extra glaze. 
  3. Scones are best the same day they are baked. To keep leftover scones fresh, store in airtight container, or freeze and defrost for longer-term keeping.

Notes

  1. I used the All-Purpose plus Whole Wheat Version. The scones turned out perfectly light, fluffy and tasty.
  2. If you don’t have Pumpkin Pie spice, per King Arthur Flour, feel free to substitute 3/4 tsp Cinnamon and 1/4 tsp each: Ginger, Nutmeg, Allspice. 

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 Scone with 2 tsp Glaze

Keywords: Best Pumpkin Scone Recipe, Quick Breads, Easy

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Recipe Card powered byTasty Recipes
Tray with a dozen Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Scones with streaks of Brown Sugar Glaze, sitting atop baking rack over parchment paper

Filed Under: Autumn, Breads, Brunch, Easy, Recipe, Thanksgiving Tagged With: Pumpkin, scones

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cindy says

    10/10/2020 at 6:09 pm

    There’s no baking powder in the recipe – or am I missing something?

    Reply
    • Laura says

      10/11/2020 at 12:14 pm

      Oh my goodness, Cindy! Thank you so much for noting my omission! I’m so sorry, but yes, there should be 1 TBSP Baking Powder added in Step 2. I hope your recipe wasn’t ruined. Again, I apologize and have corrected this.

      Reply
    • B . Scott says

      11/21/2021 at 6:26 pm

      There is baking powder it’s in the ingredients list 1 tablespoon

      Reply
  2. 2pots2cook says

    09/04/2020 at 5:19 am

    Although it’s still quite hot over here, this one is an excellent introduction to autumn delicacies 1 Thank you Laura !

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  3. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says

    09/01/2020 at 1:55 pm

    I’m a scone lover through and through Laura. And I’m so ready for something pumpkin! Can’t wait to bake a batch!

    Reply
  4. Katerina says

    08/30/2020 at 4:08 am

    I love the combination of pumpkin, chocolate and pecans, Laura, plus the way you’ve described the texture and the glaze has me drooling over these! What a wonderful little treat this is! Thanks so much for sharing.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Laura says

      08/31/2020 at 10:01 am

      Thanks, Katrina! so glad you like this combination of flavors! Definitely a nice treat! thanks for visiting!

      Reply
  5. mimi rippee says

    08/29/2020 at 8:27 am

    Yum. This is the 2nd pumpkin post I’ve seen! I’m trying to resist, but i love all things pumpkin. And these are really fabulous.

    Reply
    • Laura says

      08/29/2020 at 1:39 pm

      Thanks, Mimi! I found it hard to resist the pumpkin early in the season this year. I mean, it’s still technically summer, right? But these are so good, I couldn’t NOT post them!

      Reply
  6. Rahul says

    08/28/2020 at 2:41 pm

    THESE look amazing Laura! You have combined two of my favorite ingredients: Pumpkin + chocolate 🙂 YUM!

    Reply
    • Laura says

      08/29/2020 at 1:38 pm

      Thanks so much, Rahul! Hope you get the chance to try them!

      Reply
  7. Kim Lange says

    08/27/2020 at 12:47 pm

    Bet these are awe-mazing! Pinning for later for the pumpkin fall boards! xo

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Laura says

      08/27/2020 at 2:41 pm

      Thanks so much,, Kim! I have to say, they are pretty scrumptious scones! Thanks for the PIN!

      Reply
  8. Balvinder says

    08/27/2020 at 8:36 am

    These look amazing! I love pumpkin but not so much in gluten free scones. They become very soft but I think I should try with chocolate chips and using a different flour blend.

    Reply
    • Laura says

      08/27/2020 at 2:40 pm

      Hi, Balvinder! Wish I could help with gluten-free flours, I know King Arthur has a gluten-free blend, and I’ve used almond flour with success in other cake recipes. Good luck and hope you get the chance to bake these yummy scones!

      Reply
  9. Dawn - Girl Heart Food says

    08/26/2020 at 5:29 am

    I definitely love a good scone too and these look perfect! Love the pumpkin vibe going on…just perfect for fall (or any time of the year, if you ask me). Delish, Laura 🙂

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Laura says

      08/26/2020 at 4:47 pm

      Thanks, Dawn! I totally agree, pumpkin is good any time of year. There are so many ways to use it in both sweet and savory dishes, I really just had to get a jumpstart this year!

      Reply
  10. David @ Spiced says

    08/26/2020 at 4:36 am

    Haha! The “What do you recommend?” is a great way to get out of situations where you don’t know what the heck you’re talking about. I’ve used that line myself once or twice…or maybe more. 🙂 I’m with ya on scones. They weren’t on our radars growing up, but once you taste a “proper” scone, you’re hooked for life! This version (and that sauce!) sounds amazing. Perfect for these early Autumn days!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Laura says

      08/26/2020 at 4:46 pm

      Thanks, David! That’s a great idea! Im going to have to remember that question! Ha! And I agree, and so ready for Fall cooking season! Just had to get a bit of a jump-start!

      Reply
  11. Katherine | Love In My Oven says

    08/25/2020 at 7:10 pm

    I’m so glad you went with buttermilk for these, Laura! I use it in so much of my baking. It is so perfect! And pumpkin in a scone sounds just about perfect.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Laura says

      08/26/2020 at 4:44 pm

      Thanks, Katherine! Yes, buttermilk is definitely my baking partner, so often! Cakes, quick breads, biscuits, scones and muffins – adds so much to each, don’t you think? Glad you’re on the pumpkin train, too!

      Reply
  12. Kelly | Foodtasia says

    08/25/2020 at 2:52 pm

    Laura, these scones are wonderful! Love the chocolate with the pumpkin and THAT GLAZE!!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Laura says

      08/25/2020 at 3:22 pm

      Thanks Kelly! I agree chocolate and pumpkin are a great match! And, glad you’re with me about the glaze…always the best part of so many things, right? thanks for visiting!

      Reply
  13. Kelly @ Kelly Lynn's Sweets and Treats says

    08/25/2020 at 1:02 pm

    I am TOTALLY ready for pumpkin and Fall. And all things associated with Fall. I could definitely eat one of these with a hot cup of coffee! YUM!!

    Reply
    • Laura says

      08/25/2020 at 3:20 pm

      Thanks, Kelly! I didn’t think I was ready for Fall until I thought about pumpkin! That little bit of cool breeze in the air didn’t hurt either…

      Reply

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