The Best Glazed Vanilla Bean Scones

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These Glazed Vanilla Bean Scones are truly the best! Fluffy and tender cream scones speckled with vanilla bean and glazed with a sweet vanilla icing. These are a delicious coffee shop treat that you can make at home!

I don't know about you guys, but nothing sounds fancier to me right now than sitting in a coffee shop, drinking a very difficult to order latte and nibbling on some pastries-- like these Glazed Vanilla Bean Scones.

But in reality, I'm more of a drive-thru type gal. I'm always busy and will 90% of the time have a toddler in tow.

So for now, coffee shops and peace and quiet will have to wait.

However, it does appear D is picking up on Mommy's coffee shop habits.

I find that each time we go through the Starbucks line, I get the same request, "D wants a baby scoooonne".

Of course she's talking about these Petite Vanilla Bean Scones.

And I totally get the appeal. They're pint size, sweet, and cute-- just like her!

Now as much as I'd love to go through the drive-thru every day, it's not practical. I also know I can make a better version of these little vanilla marvels at home, so that's what I set out to do!

This recipe was originally intended to be a "copycat Starbucks mini vanilla bean scone" recipe, but my scones ended up baking up into a full size mama bear scones.

I'm living my truth here, go big or go home.

And I must say, this was a very happy accident because this scone is so darn delicious, one tiny baby scone won't cut it.

The flavor is warm, sweet, and well balanced. And the scone itself is tender, soft and melt in your mouth.

Not only are these Vanilla Bean Scones incredibly delicious, but it's almost silly how easy they are to make. They can be made in the food processor! No mixer required whatsoever.

In fact, you technically don't need to use any special equipment--no rolling pins, cookie cutters, etc...

Don't have a food processor? You can make the whole thing by hand in a flash!

So let's skip the drive-thru and make ourselves a batch. This is definitely a treat you've earned!

How to Make The Best Glazed Vanilla Bean Scones

Makes 8 Scones

What you'll need to make the scones:

• 1 ½ cups of all purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons of white sugar
• 2 teaspoons of baking powder
• ½ teaspoon of salt
• 4 tablespoons of butter (½ a stick), cubed and very cold
• ⅓ cup of heavy cream
• 1 large egg
• ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon of vanilla bean paste
• A batch of Vanilla Bean Glaze (see below)

Instructions for making Glazed Vanilla Bean Scones

Preheat the oven to 375º.

In the bowl of a food processor, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt and pulse a few times to blend.

Add in the cold butter and pulse again until the butter is just incorporated and the mixture looks sandy..

Whisk the eggs, cream, and vanillas together in a small bowl or measuring cup and add to the flour mixture in the food processor.

Pulse again until the ingredients are just mixed and a dough ball has formed around the blade.

On a lightly floured work surface or a piece of parchment paper, remove the dough from the food processor and gently flatten into a disc, about ¾" thick.

Using a knife, cut the dough into 8 triangles (like you would a pizza) and place the dough pieces onto a parchment paper lined sheet pan.

Bake at 375º for about 10-12 minutes, until the top is puffed and cracked and the bottom edge is just barely starting to brown.

Allow to cool and glaze with Vanilla Bean Icing.

Vanilla Bean Icing

• 1 cup of powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste
• ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons of whole milk

Combine all the above ingredients until the glaze is smooth and thick, but still runs off the fork.

Drizzle the icing over all the scones and allow to set before eating.

Or eat immediately--no judgements over here.

How to keep your vanilla bean scones soft and fluffy

I would not.

A mixer would overwork the dough, making your scones a little tough.

If you don't have a food processor, no worries!

You can mix the dough by hand by using your fingertips or a pastry cutter to incorporate the butter into the flour.

Make sure to work quickly so the butter doesn't soften.

Next, using a wooden spoon, rubber spatula, or clean hands, make a well in the center of the dry mixture, and add in the wet ingredients. Gently fold the ingredients together until the mixture is just combined and there are no flour streaks showing.

Shape and bake the scones per the recipe.

Why use Vanilla Bean Paste instead of Whole Vanilla Beans?

My simple answer is vanilla beans are EXPENSIVE.

I'd love to use the whole bean more, but it can be difficult to source good beans that aren't a million dollars.

I find that vanilla bean paste gives me the same nice vanilla flavor and pretty specks that I'm looking for from a traditional bean pod--but at a much more manageable cost.

The paste also has a longer shelf life and allows me to control the amount of vanilla caviar that goes into my baked goods.

Vanilla bean paste is super simple to find. Williams Sonoma definitely carries it, specialty kitchen stores have it, and of course, Amazon.

Can I make these scones without cream?

Sure!

You can substitute with half and half or whole milk.

If you only have milk on hand, I would suggest maybe adding 2 tablespoons more of butter, or maybe an additional egg yolk.

Other Recipes You Might Like:

Blueberry Zucchini Bread

The Best Chocolate Swirl Banana Bread

Banana Muffins with Granola

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