Monster Face Pumpkin Scones (Print version)

Spiced pumpkin scones with playful monster faces, ideal for Halloween and autumn celebrations.

# What you need:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
03 - 1 tablespoon baking powder
04 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
05 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
06 - 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
07 - 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
08 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
09 - 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

→ Wet Ingredients

10 - 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
11 - 1/2 cup pumpkin purée
12 - 1/4 cup whole milk
13 - 1 large egg
14 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

→ Decoration

15 - 1 cup powdered sugar
16 - 1-2 tablespoons milk
17 - Food coloring (orange, green, black, purple)
18 - Candy eyes, mini chocolate chips, or colored sugar pearls

# Directions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together all dry ingredients until thoroughly blended.
03 - Add the cold butter cubes to the flour mixture. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
04 - In a separate bowl, whisk together pumpkin purée, milk, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth.
05 - Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix gently just until combined. Do not overmix as this will result in tough scones.
06 - Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Gently pat into a circle about 1 inch thick.
07 - Cut the circle into 8 wedges. Place scones onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them 2 inches apart.
08 - Bake for 16-18 minutes until golden brown and firm to the touch. Cool completely on a wire rack before decorating.
09 - Mix powdered sugar with 1-2 tablespoons milk until smooth and pourable. Divide into small bowls and tint each with desired food coloring.
10 - Spread or drizzle colored glaze over each cooled scone. Before the glaze sets, press candy eyes, chocolate chips, or sugar pearls into place to create monster faces.

# Expert advice:

01 -
  • The pumpkin spice flavor is genuinely cozy and perfect for fall weather
  • Decorating turns ordinary baking into an event kids and adults both enjoy
  • These freeze beautifully so you can make them ahead for Halloween parties
02 -
  • Cold butter is nonnegotiable here, warm butter will make the scones dense instead of tender
  • Overmixing is the enemy, stop stirring as soon as the flour disappears into the dough
  • Let the scones cool completely before decorating or the glaze will melt right off
03 -
  • Chill your mixing bowl and pastry cutter in the freezer for 10 minutes if your kitchen is warm
  • Use gel food coloring instead of liquid to keep your glaze thick and spreadable

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