Pumpkin Scones
Jas and I are self-proclaimed, unapologetic coffee addicts. We need it. We crave it. We have to have it. Every morning. Or else.
The sad thing is I was ‘clean’ for going on 3 years. I had truly kicked the habit- but one rotten morning I had at work a few months ago made me cave back into the urge and from then on, I was right back where I started: hopelessly devoted to coffee.
It can expensive if you’re like us and like the gourmet stuff. Plus you constantly have to invest in buying special, also not-too-cheap whitening toothpaste. It’s the devil in a red dress, I’m telling you.
In my area, we have two major ‘coffee corporation giants’; for the sake of subtlety I’ll call one Bucksstar and the other Bybigs. (I know, I know; REAL subtle there Jess.)
Over all the years of our coffee connoisseurship, Jas and I have worked out our own special theories about the strengths, weaknesses and similarities between Bucksstar and Bybigs. And since we’re self-proclaimed addicts that go to all and any lengths to get their fixes, you should just take our word for it. Cause we’re pros and we just know what we’re talking about.
When it comes to straight hot coffee, with little to no bells and whistles, Bucksstar wins. It’s fancier and you really can taste the difference in the quality of the ingredients. However, when it comes to hot lattes and cappuccinos then we do tend to lean more towards Bybigs. Plus, the caramel apple cider they sell in the autumn is truly out of this world.
The funny thing about Bucksstar’s lattes is that they taste much better cold than hot to us. In fact, the iced lattes and frappuccinos at Bucksstar’s are the stuff of dreams. The ones at Bybig’s just can’t compare.
Interestingly enough, Jas and I think that the biggest difference between these two coffee giants is NOT their coffee, but their baked goods. There’s just SUCH a huge difference. Want to know what it is? Here’s the answer, direct from us to you:
Bucksstar’s baked goods rock. Bybigs suck.
Seriously. I’m not being overly dramatic or just trying to straight out diss Bybig’s. I’m just being honest. I don’t know who it is that formulated their recipes for pastries- but whoever it is, should probably get the sack. The cookies are flat and cardboard-like in texture. The muffins taste like something the Little Debbie company churned out. The bagels are tough hockey pucks. The rice krispie treats don’t have enough marshmallow creme and butter. And don’t get me started on those friggin scones; they’re drydryDRY with little to no flavor.
Now Bucksstar? They’ve got this thing on lock. Everyone, EVERYONE knows that Bucksstar baked goods are delicious. I can’t remember the last time I went into one to buy coffee and didn’t end up walking out of there with some kind of pastry. The banana bread is thick, soft and fragrant. Their croissants are flaky and buttery. The cookies are sublime. Even their breakfast sandwiches are the bomb.com. And the scones? Dude. Their SCONES. I think they must put crack in those scones. It’s the only explanation for their being so addictively awesome, right?
Although I’m not a huge pumpkin pie fan, I gotta admit that my favorite scone to get from good old Bucksstar has always been their pumpkin scone. There’s just something about the blend of all those autumn spices that goes SO well with a cup of hot coffee. So when I saw this recipe posted on Bonappetit.com, I jumped at the chance to try it out. It’s really VERY delicious, whether you decide to ice them or leave them plain- I did both and honestly can’t decide which is better.
Scones are so easy to put together and they yield such marvelous results. They also give me an excuse to drink more coffee- and you know I’ll always find ways to do that.
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Pumpkin Scones
Recipe Courtesy of Beauty and Essex via BonAppetit.com
Ingredients
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for surface
- ¾ cup (1½ sticks) chilled unsalted butter
- ½ cup chopped fresh (or frozen, thawed) cranberries
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup canned pure pumpkin
- ¼ cup buttermilk, plus more for brushing
- 2 tablespoons raw sugar
Directions
3. Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface and pat into a 1½”-thick disk. Cut into 8 wedges; transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze until firm, 25–30 minutes.
4. Preheat oven to 400°. Brush scones with buttermilk and sprinkle with raw sugar. Bake until golden brown, 25–30 minutes
Scones look great, I think I must be the only one in the world who has never had a buckstar pastry, ever. I never even go in the shop, oh my I feel deprived now. I’m going to have to try their baked goods. I love a good scone and pumpkin scones are the best, I think because of the spicing and the moistness. I had no idea who bybigg had to look it up, figured it out we don’t have that chain in NYC at least I don’t think so.
Whaaaaa? Never had a pastry at Bucksstar?!!!!
You just don’t know what you’re missing. You have to change this asap lol Thanks Suzanne 😉
I’m going to buckstar and buy assorted pastries. I will report back. Its weird right?
These scones looks really good! I have a can of pumpkin pure in my pantry and now I know what to do with it:) love a good scone with coffee!
Awesome- I think you’ll really like them. Thanks 🙂
I’m sitting here trying to figure out who bybigs is!! Haha!! I know I’m probably going to be embarrassed when I finally do…
I’m so with you about bucksstars though… their breakfast sandwiches are so SO delicious…and the banana bread, yep.. you are spot on about that too!
Honestly, you’re killing me with these scones, Jess! We’ve been sitting here tonight wanting something delicious..and I’m wishing that these scones were sitting on a plate in my kitchen right now. You always come up with the best stuff… I’m totally making these. And eating two of them right away. Well, probably more than that…but what’s two, three or five scones between friends? <3
Haha, actually Prudy unless you’re from the Michigan/Midwest area, you probably wouldn’t know who ‘Bybigs’ is. I only brought them up because here, they’re SUCH a huge competitor for Bucksstar and are often compared.
(…But the actual name is Biggbys ;-))
Thanks Prudy- and yeeeeeeah. Five scones: this is why you ‘get’ me 🙂
I love a great scone. Unfortunately my hubby hasn’t ever had a good one so he thinks they are all dry. I think I could change his mind with your pumpkin scone. I can eat that combination of flavors and spices any time of year.
You know Julie I think that’s the case with most people who think that they don’t like scones: they just haven’t had a good one. Because once you have a good scone…life is beautiful lol Thank you!
Agreed!
Hubby is going to love these!
Awesome Serena- I’m pretty sure he will too, thank you 😉
These look so amazing, Jess! It’s mid-January! And I still think it’s the perfect time for pumpkin! I’d love one of these for breakfast =)
Thanks Andrea 😀
They look so good! I can’t get over how appropriately orange they look. I’m going to save this recipe, Jess! 🙂
Thank you Bonnie- it’s funny and so nice of you to say that, as I was kinda concerned about the appearance of the scones in the pictures lol
I’m pretty sure out bucksstars in Ontario have a different menu from the ones where you live. However, these scones look good enough to make, and if I ever come across one in the coffee place, I’ll buy it for sure.
It probably is different in Canada Hilda, it’s too bad that they don’t sell their scones there. But these are a great substitute, I will say. Thank you for stopping by 🙂
These scones looks so good! Wish I had one right now to go with my coffee! 🙂
Thanks Nancy!
Scones are my weakness, and yours look mighty good! I love all the flavors going on in there, and not to mention there isn’t a whole lot of sugar, I’ll have to bookmark this one for sure 🙂
Thanks Loretta- I can definitely relate to scones being a personal weakness 😉
Wow, I’m not usually a fan of scones, I find them dense and dry, but yours looks soft and fluffy, thanks for sharing, pinned for later!
Yeah it’s sad that scones get a bad rep from people who overwork the dough. They’re actually delicious if made right. Thank you!