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Recreate a bakery-style treat right in your kitchen with these Starbucks copycat vanilla bean scones. Petite, sweet and full of rich vanilla flavor, these scones are just the thing to go with your morning coffee or afternoon tea. The dough is easy to bring together and bakes into perfectly tender bites with just the right texture. A simple vanilla glaze adds a finishing touch, and you’ll find these scones are ideal for brunch, sharing with friends or a sweet treat any time of day. They’re one of the best Starbucks copycat recipes if you’re a fan of Starbucks scones.
These Starbucks copycat vanilla bean scones are tender and buttery with a sweet vanilla glaze on top. They’re super easy to make and perfect with coffee or tea.
You might also like pineapple scones, cinnamon scones, cheddar bacon scones, and white chocolate and raspberry scones.
Why You’ll Love It
Easy to make: Simple ingredients and no special equipment needed.
Perfectly portioned: Their petite size makes them ideal for snacks or sharing.
Traditional flavor: Real vanilla and cream give them a rich, classic taste.
Bakery quality at home: Skip the coffee shop line with this easy copycat recipe.
Petite Vanilla Bean Scones Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
All-purpose flour: Forms the base of the dough and gives structure.
Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness to the dough.
Baking powder: Provides lift for a tender crumb.
Kosher salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances flavor.
Unsalted butter: For richness and flaky texture.
Heavy whipping cream: Heavy cream adds moisture and richness to the dough.
Vanilla extract: Delivers classic vanilla flavor. I recommend using pure vanilla extract for the best flavor. Avoid anything labeled “vanilla essence” as those tend to be synthetic.
Powdered sugar: Used to make the glaze.
Milk: Thins the glaze to the right consistency.
Vanilla bean paste: Adds real vanilla specks and deep flavor. (I love this one!)
How to Make Starbucks Vanilla Bean Scones
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Make the dough: Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl. Add to a food processor and mix with butter, cream and vanilla until a dough forms.
Shape and cut: Divide scone dough, flatten into discs and cut into wedges.
Bake the scones: Place on a prepared baking sheet and bake until golden. Let them cool completely.
Make the glaze: Whisk powdered sugar, milk and vanilla bean paste. Adjust with water or sugar as needed to achieve your desired consistency.
Glaze and cool: Dip cooled scones into glaze and let set on a rack.
Substitutions and Variations
Make it gluten-free: Use a cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend.
Add chocolate: Mix in mini chocolate chips for a delicious twist.
Try almond flavor: Swap vanilla extract with almond extract and top with sliced almonds.
Vanilla bean paste: You can use regular vanilla extract instead although the flavor won’t be quite as intense and you won’t get that speckled look from the vanilla bean seeds.
Serving Suggestions
With a hot drink: Enjoy a lavender matcha latte or peanut butter hot chocolate with your traditional scones.
With a cold drink: This iced gingerbread latte is really good or perhaps you’d prefer some state fair style lemonade.
With breakfast or brunch: Serve up these Starbucks copycat vanilla bean scones alongside your hash brown casserole, baked eggs en cocotte or sausage apple breakfast casserole.
How to Store Vanilla Scones
Store: These vanilla scones can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Freeze: You can freeze the unbaked dough in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Glazed scones can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months too.
Thaw: They can thaw in the refrigerator or on the counter.
Reheat: Microwave for 10 to 15 seconds or warm in the oven for about 5 minutes at 300°F.
Top Tips
Use cold butter and cream: This helps create that flaky, tender texture.
Do not overmix: Mix just until the dough comes together for best results.
Use parchment paper: Don’t forget to line (or grease) the baking sheet to prevent the scones sticking.
Let them cool: Make sure scones are fully cooled before glazing to avoid melting.
Starbucks Petite Vanilla Bean Scones FAQs
You can, but adjust baking time as needed for larger scones.
Yes, you can cut the butter into the flour by hand using a pastry cutter or two knives until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Yes, make, shape and slice the dough into wedges and then cover and refrigerate for up to a day.
Starbucks Vanilla Bean Scones Recipe
Starbucks Copycat Vanilla Bean Scones
Equipment
- Rolling Pin Optional
Ingredients
For the Scones
- 2 ½ Cups all-purpose flour
- ½ Cup granulated sugar
- 1 ½ Teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ Teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 Stick unsalted butter, ½ Cup, chilled and cut into cubes
- ½ Cup heavy whipping cream, chilled
- 2 Teaspoons vanilla extract
For the Glaze
- 1 Cup powdered sugar
- 1 Tablespoons milk
- 1 Teaspoon vanilla bean paste with seeds, or 1 vanilla bean split lengthwise and seeds scraped out
- 1 to 2 Tablespoons water, at room temperature, if needed
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375° F and grease a large baking sheet with nonstick baking spray or line with parchment paper.
Make the Dough
- Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a bowl.
- Add flour mixture and butter cubes to a food processor, and pulse until mixture looks like a coarse meal.
- Slowly stream in cream and vanilla extract on low speed, blending until a dough comes together.
Shape the Scones
- Remove the dough and divide it into 2 equal portions on a clean work surface.
- Using your hands and a rolling pin, flatten into a disk about 1 ½ inches thick.
- Cut each disk into 8 equal sized wedges.
Bake the Scones
- Place wedges on a greased baking sheet and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the edges are slightly golden on the bottom.
- Transfer scones to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Make the Glaze
- Add powdered sugar, milk and vanilla bean paste to a small bowl and whisk until smooth.
- If it’s too thick, add a tablespoon of water and whisk until you reach the desired consistency.
- If it's too thin, add a tablespoon of powdered sugar and whisk until desired consistency.
Glaze the Scones
- Dip scones in glaze and then put them back on the cooling rack to set.
Notes
Do not overmix: Mix just until the dough comes together for best results.
Use parchment paper: Don’t forget to line (or grease) the baking sheet to prevent the scones sticking.
Let them cool: Make sure scones are fully cooled before glazing to avoid melting.
Nutrition
You don’t need to visit a café to enjoy the charm of Starbucks copycat vanilla bean scones. With just a few pantry staples and simple steps, you can bake up a batch of soft, sweet scones that rival the original. Whether you enjoy these favorite coffee shop treats with your morning coffee or serve them at a weekend brunch, you’ll want to make them again and again. They’re a crowd-pleaser with real vanilla flavor in every bite.
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Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
