Easy-to-make Vanilla Scones are the perfect way to start the day! Made in less than 30 minutes and then topped with a vanilla bean glaze, these are better than Starbucks treats and are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon treat with coffee or tea.
Want more breakfast pastry recipes? Try Orange Glazed Muffins, Chocolate Chip Banana Bread or Blueberry Lemon Glazed Dessert Bread.
In This Post
Let’s address the eternal breakfast dilemma: sweet or savory? I like a little sweet for breakfast, but not too much. With these Vanilla Scones, I don’t have to choose. I think they strike the perfect balance between comforting sweetness and a hint of buttery goodness.
I love making these bakery-style scones because they’re so quick and easy. Like my Blueberry Lemon Scones, their simplicity makes them a great choice for a homemade treat, since I can make them in just 20 minutes in the food processor.
Ingredients For Homemade Starbucks Scones
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides the base structure for the scones.
- White Sugar: Adds sweetness to the scone dough.
- Baking Powder: Helps the scones rise and become light and fluffy.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness.
- Butter: Adds richness and a buttery flavor. You can use salted or unsalted.
- Half & Half: Adds moisture and richness to the dough for a tender texture.
- Vanilla Extract: Infuses the scones vanilla flavor.
- Powdered Sugar: Used to make the vanilla glaze.
- Whole Vanilla Bean: Provides real vanilla flavor and adds those beautiful specks to the glaze.
- Milk: Used to thin out the glaze.
How To Make Vanilla Scones
- Combine your dry ingredients in your food processor, then add the cold butter and pulse until the mixture reaches a crumbly consistency reminiscent of a fine meal.
- Gradually pour in the half-and-half and vanilla extract into the mix.
- Pulse until the dough comes together.
- Divide and shape the dough into triangles, then arrange them on a baking sheet and bake.
Can I Make This Recipe Without A Food Processor?
If you don’t have a food processor, you can still make these petite vanilla bean scones using a pastry cutter (pastry blender,) two knives or even your hands. Cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Work quickly to prevent the butter from melting.
How To Make The Vanilla Bean Glaze
To make the glaze, add powdered sugar and milk to a small bowl. Slice the vanilla bean down the center and, using the tip of the knife, scrape out the seeds. Add them to the glaze, stirring, then drizzle over the cooled scones. If you can’t find vanilla beans in the grocery store, use two teaspoons of vanilla extract in the glaze.
Donya’s Success Tip
Line the baking sheet with either parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent the scones from sticking.
Often Asked Questions With Answers
Yes, you can substitute half & half with equal parts of heavy cream and whole milk for richness or with whole milk for a lighter texture.
Scones are done when they are golden brown on the edges and slightly firm to the touch. You can also insert a toothpick into the center of a scone; if it comes out clean, it is ready.
Store the scones in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. You can also freeze the scones for up to 1 month. Once cooled completely, place them in a freezer-safe container or bag, separating each layer with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Craving More? Try These Recipes
If you tried this Easy Vanilla Scone Recipe or any other recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks!
Equipment
Ingredients
Scones
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- ⅓ cup white sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ cup cold, unsalted butter (one stick)cut into small cubes
- ½ cup half & half
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Vanilla Bean Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 vanilla bean seeds scraped from 1 bean
Instructions
Scones
- Heat oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment. Set aside.
- To the bowl of a food processor, add flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Pulse to blend. Add cold butter cubes to flour mixture and pulse until texture is that of coarse meal. Mix vanilla extract with half and half. While the processor is on low, stream in liquid. Keep the processor running until dough forms a ball.
- Remove dough from food processor and divide into 3 equal balls. Flatten to about 1 inch thick. Cut dough into 6 triangles and place on prepared baking sheet. Bake in oven for approximately 18 minutes until golden brown. Remove from oven and cool.
Glaze
- To a small bowl, add powdered sugar and milk. Slice vanilla bean down the center and using the tip of a knife, scrape seeds out and place in the bowl with sugar and milk. Stir until smooth. Drizzle over scones.
Nutrition
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Sheri Brown
Great recipe
Thank you so much, Sheri!
`Donya
Sheri
So yummy, sometimes I put nuts into these delicious scones 🥰
Cassandra Kettenhofen
Hello Donya! I believe I’m handing you, my title, of Scone Queen! My sister requested vanilla scones, to go with my chocolate scones, a few days ago. “Not a problem sissy,” I tell her. Little does she understand, that the nice, plump vanilla bean, is really intimidating and just because I have it on the counter, means absolutely nothing. My original plan was to make vanilla infused honey. I am glad I made scones and it turns out, that plump vanilla bean, was harmless. Unlike the accident prone woman, making yummy vanilla scones, for her little sister. Rather than use half and half, I used a combination of buttermilk and heavy cream and that yielded, a super moist crumb and I also used the air fryer, instead of the oven. These scones are perfect!
Cassandra
Tiffany
It doesn’t say how much salt
Donya
Hey there Tiffany!
Thank you so much for your interest in this recipe, I think you’re really going to love it! Usually I use just a pinch of salt, about a quarter teaspoon, but it’s really up to your personal tastes. I hope this is helpful, let me know how everything turns out if you give the recipe a try!
~Donya