Chocolate Chip Scones
If you’re craving a quick treat that balances flaky, buttery texture with rich bursts of chocolate, this **Chocolate Chip Scones** recipe is exactly what you need. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon pick-me-up, these scones combine the classic charm of a British teatime staple with a deliciously sweet twist. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, this recipe delivers comforting warmth and decadent flavor, making it a favorite to add to your baking rotation.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: Ready in under 30 minutes, these scones fit remarkably well into busy mornings or last-minute dessert plans.
- Perfect Texture: Flaky on the outside and tender inside, striking a balance that keeps every bite delightful.
- Rich Chocolate Flavor: The melty chocolate chips offer pockets of sweetness that elevate the traditional scone experience.
- Versatile Snack: Ideal as a breakfast companion, teatime treat, or a cozy snack alongside your favorite coffee or tea.
- Minimal Ingredients: You only need pantry staples, making this recipe accessible and budget-friendly.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this Chocolate Chip Scones recipe plays a vital role — from the flaky texture to that rich, buttery taste with bursts of chocolate. The simplicity is what makes it so special.
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides the structure needed for soft but sturdy scones.
- Baking Powder: Helps the scones rise, keeping the crumb light and fluffy.
- Granulated Sugar: Adds subtle sweetness that balances the flavors.
- Salt: Enhances and rounds out the overall taste.
- Cold Unsalted Butter: Key to flaky layers and that irresistible richness when baked.
- Heavy Cream or Buttermilk: Moisturizes the dough while adding a slight tang and tenderness.
- Vanilla Extract: Elevates the flavor with a warm, aromatic hint.
- Chocolate Chips: The star ingredient, providing gooey chocolate pockets throughout each scone.
Variations for Chocolate Chip Scones
One of the best things about this Chocolate Chip Scones recipe is how easy it is to customize. Whether you want a twist on flavors, need to accommodate diets, or simply want to try something new, here are some tasty options to explore.
- Fruit-Infused: Swap chocolate chips for dried cranberries or blueberries for a fruity surprise.
- Nutty Crunch: Add chopped pecans or walnuts for texture and a complementary flavor.
- Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free flour blend suited for baking scones without compromising texture.
- Vegan-Friendly: Replace butter with coconut oil and heavy cream with almond or oat milk plus a flax egg.
- Spiced Chocolate Chip: Add cinnamon or a pinch of cardamom to warm up the flavor profile.
How to Make Chocolate Chip Scones
Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients
Begin by preheating your oven and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. Make sure the butter is thoroughly chilled—this is critical for the perfect flaky texture.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. This combination creates the base, distributing the leavening agents evenly throughout the dough.
Step 3: Cut in the Butter
Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, blend the cold butter into the dry mix until pea-sized crumbs form. These chunks of butter melt during baking, creating those sought-after flaky layers.
Step 4: Add Wet Ingredients
Stir in the heavy cream and vanilla extract gently, just until the dough starts coming together. Be careful not to overwork the dough, or your scones might become dense.
Step 5: Fold in Chocolate Chips
Gently fold the chocolate chips into the dough to evenly distribute, ensuring each scone will have a delightful chocolate bite.
Step 6: Shape and Cut
Turn the dough onto a floured surface and pat it into a roughly 1-inch thick disc. Use a sharp knife or a biscuit cutter to cut the dough into triangles or rounds, depending on your preference.
Step 7: Bake Until Golden
Place the scones on the baking sheet and bake for 15–18 minutes until they are puffed and golden brown. Let them cool briefly before serving.
Pro Tips for Making Chocolate Chip Scones
- Keep Butter Cold: This is key for achieving flaky layers that melt delightfully in your mouth.
- Don’t Overmix: Stir until just combined to avoid tough scones.
- Chill Before Baking: Resting the dough in the fridge for 15 minutes can make shaping easier and scones fluffier.
- Use Fresh Baking Powder: It ensures the perfect rise; expired leavening can lead to flat results.
- Experiment with Chocolate: Dark, milk, or even white chocolate chips work wonderfully and can change the flavor profile.
How to Serve Chocolate Chip Scones
Garnishes
A light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of vanilla glaze adds a lovely touch of sweetness and visual appeal to your scones.
Side Dishes
Pair these scones beautifully with fresh fruit, a dollop of clotted cream or butter, or alongside a hot cup of coffee, tea, or even a rich hot chocolate for a double chocolate delight.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve your scones warm on a rustic wooden board garnished with sprigs of fresh mint or edible flowers to impress guests or make any morning feel special.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your scones in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days to maintain freshness and softness.
Freezing
Wrap scones tightly in plastic wrap and freeze them for up to one month. To enjoy, thaw at room temperature or reheat before serving.
Reheating
Warm scones in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5 to 8 minutes to restore that fresh-baked texture and warm chocolate pockets.
FAQs
Can I use chocolate chunks instead of chocolate chips?
Absolutely! Chocolate chunks work beautifully and create larger melty pockets of chocolate, offering a slightly different texture and taste experience.
Do I need to use heavy cream, or can I substitute?
You can substitute heavy cream with buttermilk or whole milk, but heavy cream adds extra richness and tenderness that’s hard to beat.
How do I prevent scones from turning out dry?
Ensure you don’t overmix the dough and keep the butter cold; also, baking them just until golden keeps them moist inside.
What’s the best way to store chocolate chip scones?
Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days, or freeze them for longer storage.
Can I make the dough ahead and bake later?
Yes, you can prepare the dough, wrap it tightly, and refrigerate it overnight. This often enhances flavor and makes baking the next day convenient.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a quick, delicious, and versatile bake that never disappoints, these Chocolate Chip Scones are a perfect choice. With buttery layers and pockets of rich chocolate, they’re like a hug in pastry form. Give this recipe a try today—you’ll love having this warm, flaky goodness ready whenever cravings strike!
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PrintChocolate Chip Scones
These quick and easy Chocolate Chip Scones offer a perfect balance of flaky, buttery texture and rich, melty chocolate bursts. Ideal for breakfast, brunch, or a cozy snack, this recipe uses simple pantry ingredients and delivers tender, golden scones with delightful sweetness and warmth.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-18 minutes
- Total Time: 28 minutes
- Yield: 8 scones 1x
- Category: Breakfast, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, diced
- 2/3 cup heavy cream or buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Add-ins
- 3/4 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Ensure your butter is thoroughly chilled for optimal flaky texture.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents.
- Cut in the Butter: Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, blend the cold butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles pea-sized crumbs, which will create flaky layers when baked.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Gently stir in the heavy cream and vanilla extract just until the dough starts to come together, being careful not to overmix to keep the scones tender.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Carefully fold the chocolate chips into the dough to ensure even distribution and delightful chocolate bites in every scone.
- Shape and Cut: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and pat into a roughly 1-inch thick disc. Use a sharp knife or biscuit cutter to cut into triangles or rounds according to your preference.
- Bake Until Golden: Arrange the scones on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 15–18 minutes, until puffed and golden brown. Allow to cool briefly before serving.
Notes
- Keep butter cold to achieve flaky layers.
- Do not overmix the dough to avoid tough scones.
- Chilling the dough for 15 minutes before shaping can improve texture and handling.
- Use fresh baking powder for the best rise.
- Experiment with different types of chocolate chips such as dark, milk, or white for varied flavors.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 scone
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: chocolate chip scones, scones recipe, quick breakfast, flaky scones, teatime dessert
