I used to enjoy visiting one of the local Starbucks near me (six that I can think of in a 3 mile radius and TWO in one shopping center!) for meeting a client during the week or a friend on Saturday morning. It wasn’t for the beverage so much; I get whole bean coffee from Costco that has been roasted by Starbucks so it’s never been about the coffee; it’s always been about the Maple Scones. If they don’t have them…nothing else will satisfy so it’s either go scone or go home!
Several months ago when I was in, I was notified that the maple scones would no longer be available. What? You can’t be serious? But they were serious and my desire to frequent Starbucks lessened as a result. Add to that the leg injury I suffered in February and Starbucks has not been on the agenda.
So, of course, it was so nice to hear from them the other day; guess they missed me. I received an email notification of my spending record and that I was quickly on my way to losing my ‘Gold Card’ status. The card that I originally paid for to have some extra privileges and which had now turned into nothing for me but a glorified gift card. I would put $30 on it at a time as that was so much easier to include in monthly business expenses than $3 here or $4 there. But now they were going to drop me. First the scones, now this?
Well, the card issue is no big deal but it was the impetus that reminded me I miss the scones so today I decided to take action and make some of my own. I’m almost embarrassed at how ridiculously easy they were to make and while not trying to recreate the Starbucks version exactly (blame the lack of oatmeal in ‘de’ house), they turned out wonderful. Moister inside than those from ‘them; and the glaze is richer…altogether a really yummy version that turned out better than the original! The toasted pecans didn’t hurt either. Oh my.
That email message was most likely meant to push me to consume some more. Uh oh…for me it means I’m not sure I’ll EVER walk in there again; now I can get my coffee and scones at home so I’m good!
Ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup (packed) golden brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 6 Tbsp chilled butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 3/4 cup pecans, toasted, roughly chopped
- 2/3 cup buttermilk
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1 tsp maple extract
- 1/2 cup (packed) golden brown sugar
- 4 Tbsp butter
- 1 tsp maple extract
- 1/2 tsp mild-flavored molasses
- 2 Tbsp half and half
- 2/3 cup sifted powdered sugar
Preparation
- Preheat to 400°F.
- Combine flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in bowl of food processor. Add 6 tablespoons butter and process using pulse until butter pieces are pea sized. Put mixture into mixing bowl.
- Mix in pecans.
- Whisk buttermilk, egg yolks and extract in medium bowl. Add to flour mixture. Toss with fork until dough comes together in moist clumps. Gather dough into a ball and press out on lightly floured surface and shape into an 8-inch round; cut into 6-8 pieces and round off edges to form circular piece of dough.
- Arrange scones 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheet. Bake until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 16 minutes.
- Whisk remaining 1/2 cup brown sugar, 4 tablespoons butter, half and half, maple extract and molasses in heavy small saucepan over low heat until sugar dissolves. Remove pan from heat. Whisk in powdered sugar. Spread glaze over warm scones. Let stand until glaze sets, approximately 30 minutes. (I was bad...I know I had one before 15 minutes was up!)
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Thanks for sharing the recipe. I was being too lazy to actually make the scones, but the maple glaze got good reviews from my family who really miss the icing on the maple rolls from my dad’s hometown.
I’ll have to stop back one day when I have the time to make the scones too.
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Whatever works right? Glad the icing made your family happy. I love maple; I could eat it by the spoonful.
I also am a big fan of starbucks maple scone and they don’t always have them. I am very happy to find this website I just googled and found this can’t wait to try the recipe. thanks
You’re welcome…hope you enjoy them as much as we did!
Absolutely, delicious!!! Thank you! I have bookmarked you and will visit often! :)
Our own Starbuck’s dropped maple scones several years ago. Pity, I’ve held it against them for a long time; my wife now makes ‘em for me, for us. And have you noticed how utterly bland their same ‘ol, same ‘ol bakery items are? No creativity under that glass front, just thawed stuff, probably out of Beijing, too. I think the chain has “corporatized,” meaning gotten like other chain stores. We look for the independent outlets more and more. Some even have great scones … maple, too.
To tell you the truth Bink, they were the only thing I hankered for in their bakery case. They seem to be back but they lost me too. I wish we could find more independents; it seems when I do, next thing you know SB shows up and they can’t manage that competition. Sad isn’t it?
Yes, sad. From our experiences in Australia and New Zealand, Starbuck’s has had a devil of a time competing with the myriads of independents, so much so they’ve pulled out lots of their stores. I believe only one exists in Sydney now. Personally I root for the non-corp entepreneur though oftentimes these fine places can’t afford the health insurance for their employees like SB offers, nor wages. Thanks for your reply, BO.
Before Starbucks a small local company had a couple of shops and they were actually my first introduction to coffee outside of what we could get at the grocery store. Not only those stores but others who have tried seem to have gone by the wayside; sad if you ask me. I don’t harbor a Starbucks hatred like some do but I do hate that no one seems to be able to complete against them.
Definition of stupid: sitting here looking at all your great recipes before I’ve had lunch. I’m starving and these are making me cry. ;)
Love your blog. I like that your recipes are different but very doable, with ingredients that I can find locally! Beautiful food photography too.
You know what Natalie…you realize exactly what I do. Not super difficult gourmet but not everyday. Still, nothing over complicated either. That’s what I love and what I love sharing with others. And thank you…I work hard improving my photography so if a reader thinks I’m doing a good job, well, that absolutely makes my day. Thank you!
Your photos are great! They look totally professional (I’m a graphic designer, I should know. :) )
Thank you so much Natalie…kind comments like that mean a lot to me. This is surely a work in progress and camera work is a big part of it!
:O Ummm…swoon! Scones, maple and you mentioned my Bad boy love…coffee. Those are the most beautiful scones that I have seen in a while…can I move in?
Almost made some today but without help eating them, would have required that I handle the entire batch. So could do that…so didn’t!
Did you know these are Mr. RGBistro’s favorite scones? Shh… don’t tell him, but I’m gonna make him these tomorrow morning. :-)
[K]
Your secret’s safe with me! I think these are better; nowhere near as dry as the SB variety; which didn’t bother me but then was dipping them in their coffee too, wasn’t I? Hope the mister loves them.
I am getting ready to try this recipe. I get Maple Scones when I travel to Atlanta. Awesome! I love maple scones. I see you have baking powder and baking soda in the recipe.
I have yet to try maple scones from Starbucks, since we don’t have that around here. (Yes, there exists such a place! ;) But these look great, especially that glaze.
Btw: A local store stopped selling my favourite – kahlua cake, so I know how it feels. Exept I haven’t found a replacing recipe yet… ideas?
Was it a bundt type cake or something else? I had a wonderful bundt kahlua cake at New Years; I could get that recipe!
These maple scones would be a great way to start the day off!
They are Kevin; my only error was in an attempt to not eat them all I gave all but one away. Won’t do that again!
This scone sounds amazing. Move over Starbucks, I am making my scones at home! I attempted to make their pumpkin scone a while back. Check it out! http://www.twin-tables.com/2008/12/another-look-at-pumpkin-scones.html I think they turned out pretty good, even with some of the fat removed. Thanks for the recipe!
These look absolutely AMAZING! I will definitely be making these VERY soon! I love a good moist scone, and these sound even better than the original Starbucks version! Woman, my waistline is going to be sending you hate mail…
Well, I gave them away in an effort to save mine and now thinking that a big mistake…all this talk; I might have to make more. Daily.
Oh I so believe that these are better than Starbucks! I’ve always thought that a good home baker can do better than what I’ve eaten at Starbucks and you are a great baker! These look fab! Pour the coffee and pass a scone!
I agree. I love tea & Starbucks can’t make a decent cup, but those scones are amazing. Thanks so much for sharing your recipe – I can’t wait to try them!
I’m not a tea drinker except in summer when I like iced tea. But they did turn me on to Tazo Passion Fruit tea with lemonade which, or course…I now make at home.
Oh, how perfectly wonderful!
So, tell me please……are you now ready to figure the “better” recipes for our other faves?
I’m thinking the ‘pumpkin bread’ and ‘lemon bread’ are really pound cake recipes. What are your thoughts?
I would give any a shot but all I’ve EVER had were these scones and the espresso brownie! I would think altering pound cake with some zest and a bit of juice would result in the lemon bread; thinking the pumpkin a bit heavier and with nuts? Or ??
I found them! (As well as so many other yummy recipes. So glad to have found your blog!)
I also was smitten with the recipe for lemon curried rice, and followed your link to the Savory spice shop so I could order a large container of the lemon curry mixture. I’ve been very spice-oriented lately, making dishes with lots of different curry flavors, as well as lots of different Mexican/Latin flavors, with a variety of dried chilies or chili powders. Can’t wait to try the lemon curried rice you posted — my guys will love that one.
Oh my lord… I popped over here from Pioneer Woman’s blog in the hope of finding the recipe for the lemony potatoes you mentioned in the comments over there, and here ya smack me upside the head with these scones. At this rate, I’ll never lose the ten pounds I’m trying to lose by the end of August.
I’ll just tell the doctor it’s all your fault, how ’bout that?
Ok, off to copy down this recipe, and to search for lemony potatoes. If those aren’t posted here, can you take this as a heartfelt plea for the recipe? Thanks!
I’m at fault for yours if you’ll do the same for me! Glad to have you visit; the potatoes are at http://vinolucistyle.com/2009/10/mashed-potatoes-with-lemon-garlic-chives/ – hurts to see that old photo but don’t let that stop you…they are simply delicious!
I’m more in love with the treat from Starbucks then the coffee. I love the lemon bread and the pumpkin bread. I could/would NEVER pass this scone up!!!
I seriously don’t think I’ve ever tried another bread or scone there…maybe an espresso brownie because you know..not quite enough caffeine in a cup of joe!
I’m just starting to appreciate scones, but with that glaze they must be over the top delicious!
Mardi of @eatlivtravwrite says original scones are not flavored or iced. I think I like non original ones better! One way this is decidedly different from Starbucks is the texture…no where near as dry and hard; now wondering why I thought I loved them so much!
Thank you Tonia…high praise indeed!
You had me at maple…And pecans don’t hurt either – I’m certain you don’t ever need to leave home again too ;P
That’s pretty much how I am; I must have half a dozen posts saved for something I want to make; all starting with Maple. Could I be from Vermont and not know it?
I have no doubt your scones are way better than Starbucks. I am not a fan of what North American and Canadians call scones – for us they are something entirely different – but this one with its lovely glaze looks like it might convince me to change my mind!!!
This scone (from the original photo and baker (foodie)) was amazing. It was like eating shortbread from Scotland in a scone w/a delicious frosting that was not overwhelming……it looks delicious and was, indeed delish………hats off to the foodie for this delight….goes well with an Americano, indeed!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes…a very happy accident…and they’ve all accidentally been eaten!
Kim, I do remember you…pleased to be your inspiration!
I so know your scones are way better than Starbucks! BTW, we used to have 3 Starbucks within a few minutes, but they closed one of them. I guess you all drink more coffee in Colorado! I will definitely give these a try. The hubs loves scones (although he certainly doesn’t need them…nor do I!), but these look like they are worth the calories!
@bunkycooks,
They overdid it with a store on every corner and now guess they’re paying the price. Seriously, in one shopping center here, they have a store and then are appended to the large grocery with an outside seating area and signage…like a store on each corner. Can you say overkill?
These look and sound amazing. I am partial to the pumpkin bread made by “them” and have tried to replicate a similar quick bread at home, although that is proving difficult these days with the canned pumpkin shortage. I emailed you several weeks back about high-altitude baking… I am in southern Colorado. I was just a knitting blogger then, but sites like yours inspired me to bite the bullet and start my own cooking blog… this is fun… http://www.kimscookingfrenzy.blogspot.com THANK YOU FOR THE INSPIRATION.
See, the card issue was one of those “happy accidents”, as Bob Ross used to say… A fabulous scone the ending result~ YUM!
I love a good scone and am so upset that I didn’t make any this morning (my Sunday tradition). This is on my list of ones to try!
Its always been opinion any good baker could make a better version of Starbucks pastry! Think of all that money you will now save.They look wonderful and I love maple as a flavor.
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