These mini vanilla bean scones are a healthy keto version of the famous Starbucks treat. Rich and delicious, but totally sugar-free so you can indulge healthfully. I’ve created a new video to show you just how easy they are to make!
These almond flour scones are a copycat of one of my favorite coffee shop treats. I have such a love of all things coffee and I have a particular love of scones. I am well known for my keto maple pecan scones, as well as my keto blueberry scones. And the lemon ricotta scones are also a reader favorite.
I also have a healthy love of all things Starbucks. I don’t actually go there very often anymore, because I prefer to make my coffee at home. But I love the Starbucks culture, and the way you can order coffee almost any way you want. And when I’m traveling, Starbucks is a known quantity. I can get a decent cup of coffee if there’s a Starbucks.
I used to have quite a thing for the baked goods too. I used to stand there, eyeing them lovingly, trying to decide what I might like to eat. But now I look to them more for inspiration than anything else. Starbucks treats lend themselves very well to keto makeovers. I already have quite a few Starbucks copycat recipes.
And now here is another one.
Using Vanilla Powder for Vanilla Bean Scones
Those cute little mini vanilla bean scones are just an ideal subject for a keto makeover. Here’s why:
I already know I can make a rocking good low carb scone and I can make a rocking good vanilla glaze. It was only a matter of time before I put it all together.
And part of the inspiration was the discovery of vanilla bean powder, which is really just ground up vanilla beans. It sure beats trying to scrape this infinitesimally small seeds out of a vanilla bean pod. They have a tendency to stick to your fingers and the knife. You’re lucky if you can get half of them in the dough!
Admittedly, the vanilla bean powder is quite expensive. But no more so than actual vanilla beans. You only use ½ to 1 teaspoon per recipe so a bag would last for about 25 recipes. Whereas a package of 25 vanilla beans can cost seventy dollars!
Do be forewarned if you choose to order some yourself. There is “vanilla powder” out there that is actually a mix of ground vanilla beans and sugar. Make sure you are looking for ground vanilla beans.
You can also just use regular vanilla extract. I’ve provided instructions on how to do so in the recipe. This is my favorite brand of vanilla.
Tips for Making Almond Flour Scones
I’ve made a lot of low carb scones with almond flour, sometimes with a little coconut flour added in as well. But these vanilla bean scones are made entirely with almond flour.
I really feel that almond flour provides the best texture for scones. Coconut flour is too absorbent and requires too many eggs, so your scones turn out overly moist and rather spongy. Scones should be on the dry side and a little bit crumbly but still very tender.
However, unlike traditional scones, almond flour scones do require some eggs to hold them together properly and allow them to rise. Gluten free scones like this require more structure and a strong binding agent.
Beyond that, the process is very similar to most scone recipes. You pat your dough out into a circle or rectangle and cut it into wedges, then bake as directed. These mini scones only take 15 to 20 minutes to bake.
Then you can dip them into a lovely vanilla bean glaze and you have yourself a fantastic keto breakfast treat. Ready to make your own homemade vanilla bean scones?
Love Starbucks? Here are more Keto Copycat Recipes
Mini Vanilla Bean Scones
Ingredients
Scones:
- 3 cups almond flour
- ⅓ cup Swerve Sweetener
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla powder ground vanilla beans OR seeds scraped out of 1 vanilla bean OR 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup melted butter
- 2 tablespoon heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Glaze:
- ½ cup powdered Swerve Sweetener
- ½ teaspoon vanilla powder OR seeds of ½ a vanilla bean OR ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- Water if your glaze is too thick
Instructions
Scones:
- Preheat oven to 325F and line a large baking sheet with parchment or a silicone liner.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the almond flour, sweetener, baking powder, vanilla powder, and salt.
- Stir in eggs, melted butter, cream and vanilla extract until dough comes together.
- Split dough into 3 equal portions and form into disks, each about 1 inch thick and 5 to 6 inches in diameter. Cut each disk into 8 equal pieces.
- Separate the scones and place on prepared baking sheet and bake 15 to 18 minutes, or until just golden and firm to the touch.
- Remove and let cool completely.
Glaze:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together Swerve, vanilla powder, and cream until well combined. If your glaze is very thick, add water 1 teaspoon at a time until a dippable consistency is achieved.
- Dip the top of each scone into glaze and place on a baking rack until set.
Glorianne says
This was my first attempt at Keto baking. They’re awesome!! Thank you for your great recipes! I’ll be trying more of them. I appreciate the fact that you personally work through these recipes, taste test them, and offer options. I’ve bookmarked your site, definitely a fan!
Carolyn says
So glad you liked them!
Tamara says
These turned out perfect and were absolutely delicious! I will definitely want to get the vanilla bean powder for the next time since I only had extract. They were still good though 🙂
carol says
very very good! i love baking scones and these were my first keto version. mine were a little on the dry side without icing. one question tho; i measure my almond flour since ive had such bad luck with keto baking recipes. my dough was a lot more sticky than your, hard to deal withs do u measure out your flour or do you weigh?
Carolyn says
I usually do volume but when I weigh it, which I sometimes do, I find that my brand (Bob’s Red mill) comes to about 100g per cup.
Lanée Johnson says
My T1D 12 yr old was in a breakfast rut, but this recipe snapped him right out of it…thank you!! We decided to skip the glaze and topped instead with your whipping cream recipe and fresh berries…so delicious and steady blood sugars all morning long!
Becky Hardin says
These so awesome! And so delicious!
Kelly says
So brilliant- these are delicious!
Katie says
The keto diet is always so hard for me, but these scones surely made it easier! So delicious, and guilt-free!
Sara Welch says
Looking forward to making these for breakfast tomorrow! Will pair perfectly with my morning cup of coffee!
Chelsea says
These scones are soooo delicious!! We’re obsessed! Thanks for sharing!
Karen Mahoney says
If I was to go with the vanilla extract instead of the ground vanilla powder would I use both the 1 tsp substitute and the 1/2 tsp at the end of the recipe for a total of 1 1/2 tsp? Thanks for all you do. Love your blog and facebook page. Follow it daily!!
Carolyn says
No, just the 1 tsp in the scones themselves. Thanks so much!
Lisa L says
I am relatively new to Keto, about 2 months, and every recipe of yours I have tried has been spectacular! Yours is the only food blog I follow! Thanks for what you do!!
Carolyn says
Thank you, Lisa. What a lovely compliment!
Madison says
Hi! Thanks for sharing this recipe. Will these last in the mail if I do 2-3 day priority mail?
Carolyn says
I think so. I’ve never tried to send them to anyone.
Lisa Lekousi says
I just made these and hubby and I love them. Will these freeze well?
Erica says
Vanilla scones were my favorite Starbucks confection, and these copycats are fantastic! It’s been years since I’ve had one from Starbucks, but I do think these are so close to the original: less biscuit-like and slightly more bready than standard scones, and perfectly simple in flavor. My husband and I really enjoyed them. Highly recommended. Thanks Carolyn!
Jan says
I am wondering if I can use strained whole milk yogurt (IP recipe) instead of heavy cream? I am lactose intolerant so I want to avoid dairy. These look so good!!
Carolyn says
Sure, I can’t see why not! Use coconut milk too, if you prefer.
Elaine says
These scones look amazing. Wish I could tolerate swerve or any sugar alcohols. The only sweeteners I can tolerate are stevia, coconut sugar, maple syrup and honey, all of the latter I realize are not Keto; sadly.
Maybe someday I’ll be healed enough to tolerate swerve and other alternate sweeteners. Thanks for the eye candy.
Lisa L says
Elaine, I cannot do artificial sugars as most give me a migraine. I can, however,use monk fruit (erythritol). Try substituting that for the Swerve. However, I think Swerve is erythritol based also. I just prefer Monk Fruit. (If you are in the US, some Costco’s carry it.)
Jennifer Blake says
I am one of those weird people that would prefer vanilla over chocolate so this sounds like the perfect treat to go with my tea.
Meseidy Rivera says
I wish I had these to go with the coffee I’m drinking right now.
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts says
No need to go to the coffee shop again! And that glaze on top is perfect!
Jennifer Farley says
These with a cup of tea would be perfection!