Chocolate Chip Scones – These tender, buttery scones will surely become the next family favorite! They’re golden on the outside and fluffy on the inside, with just the right amount of chocolate in every bite. An irresistible treat for breakfast, brunch, or afternoon tea!
Sitting down to afternoon coffee with a plate of warm, flaky, freshly baked scones is so comforting. It’s one of life’s little luxuries! And since chocolate chips make everything better, these chocolate chip scones take afternoon coffee to the next level.
The insanely delicious combo of soft, flaky scones with gooey, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate chip cookies is easy to make. So you can indulge in this mouthwatering treat any time you get a craving. They’re simple enough for a weekday breakfast yet elegant enough to grace any holiday brunch table!
Perfectly Tender, Buttery Chocolate Chip Scones
Cold ingredients are the secret to flaky, oh-so-yummy scones! Make sure your butter and cream are cold, and consider chilling your flour before you start. Once the scones are on the baking sheet, put them in the freezer to keep them cold while the oven is heating.
Additionally, handle the dough as little as possible when shaping your scones. The heat from your hands may melt the butter, which leads to less flakiness. Moist, slightly sticky dough delivers the best results. 😉
Recipe Ingredients
- Flour – All-purpose flour adds structure to the chocolate scones. A gluten-free all-purpose flour works if you can’t do gluten, but the texture will be slightly different.
- Baking Powder makes the scones light and fluffy.
- Sugar – White, granulated sugar provides just the right amount of sweetness.
- Chocolate Chips – My family loves semi-sweet chocolate chips, but any flavor will do!
- Dairy – Cold unsalted butter and cream are essential for moist and flavorful scones.
- Eggs – This incredible binder also adds moisture and a decadent mouthfeel.
- Glaze – Milk, confectioners’ sugar, and butter create the ultimate topping for this tantalizing treat.
How to Make Chocolate Chip Scones
- Dry Ingredients – In a large mixing bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. (Photo 1)
- Butter and Chocolate – Quickly cut the butter into flour mixture with your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs (3-5 minutes). Or use a pastry cutter to do it. Stir the chocolate chips. (Photos 2-4)
- Wet Ingredients – Make a well in the center of the bowl and add heavy cream and eggs. Stir with hands or a rubber spatula until it forms a rough ball (about a minute; don’t overmix). (Photos 5-6)
- Knead Dough – Transfer the dough to a floured board or surface; then knead it 3-4 times—just enough for it to come together. (Photo 7)
- Form Scones – Gently press the dough down to an inch thick. Cut the scones into circles with a 2-inch round cookie cutter or glass. Press the remaining scraps together and cut it again until the dough is used up. Or cut dough into eight wedges, like traditional scones, with a knife or bench scraper. (Photo 8-9)
- Bake at 400°F (205℃) for about 20 minutes or more, until lightly browned, but start checking after 10 minutes. (Photo 10)
- Serve – Remove, let them cool on a wire rack for about 5 minutes, and serve warm. Or cool completely before proceeding with the optional glaze.
Recipe Variations
- Chocolate Variations – Feel free to use milk, dark, or white chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet for your chocolate chip scone recipe. Flavored chips like peanut butter, butterscotch, or caramel are also great!
- Glaze Substitute – Instead of glazing the scones, brush the tops with cream and sprinkle with sugar for extra texture and shine.
- Add-Ins – ½ cup of dried cherries or cranberries complement the chocolate chips especially well. Or replace half of the chocolate chips with chopped nuts such as pecans or walnuts. A teaspoon of vanilla extract always goes well with chocolate.
- Gluten-Free – Make gluten-free scones by replacing the all-purpose flour with an equal amount of gluten-free all-purpose flour.
Tips and Tricks
- A hot oven is crucial for that initial rise and golden-brown crust. So preheat your oven before your scones go in.
- The foundation of a great scone lies in the quality of your ingredients. Opt for high-quality butter, fresh baking powder, and premium chocolate chips. Trust me, your taste buds will thank you. 💖
- When cutting the dough for scones, press straight down with the cutter or the knife without twisting. That helps the scones to rise better.
- If you only have salted butter on hand, just reduce the salt by ¼ teaspoon, and you’re good to go!
Make-Ahead Instructions
I love serving fresh scones for breakfast! Make the dough the night before, cover it with plastic, and store it in the fridge. Then, in the morning, preheat the oven while you’re cutting the scones and pop them in the oven for a delicious start to your day!
You can also freeze unbaked scones. Prepare the scones as directed and freeze them on a baking sheet. Once frozen solid, transfer them to a plastic freezer bag and freeze them for up to 3 months.
Bake your scones straight from the freezer, allowing a couple of extra minutes of baking time.
Serving and Storage Instructions
Chocolate chip scones are heavenly fresh from the oven with freshly brewed coffee or tea.
Leftover scones last for two days in an airtight container on the countertop or about a week in the fridge. Homemade scones also freeze well. Let them cool and place them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.
To defrost, leave them on the counter for about an hour, then warm them for 10-15 minutes in the oven at 300℉ (150℃).
FAQs
If the scone dough crumbles between your fingers, add a little more cream or water until it reaches the correct consistency.
Try freezing and grating your butter for the dough (freeze the flour and bowl, too). Refrain from handling the dough too much because the butter will warm too much. Add a little more baking powder to the dry ingredients. And lastly, a preheated 400℉ (205℃) oven.
It’s true; the two goodies look almost identical! However, biscuits have lard and buttermilk, which makes them lighter and flakier. They’re more savory than scones and traditionally served with gravy.
Scones, on the other hand, have cream and eggs, resulting in a denser dough. Scones are usually sweeter, and the dense dough means they can handle additions like dried fruit and chocolate!
What to Serve With Chocolate Chip Scones
For a cozy afternoon treat, I love serving these scones with a rich pumpkin spice latte or chai tea latte. Or create a memorable holiday brunch by partnering chocolate chip scones with fluffy pancakes and cheesy croque monsieur.
More Tempting Scone Recipes to Try
- Cranberry Orange Scones
- Lemon Blueberry Scones
- Raspberry White Chocolate Scones
- Pineapple and White Chocolate Scones
Conclusion
Spoil yourself and your loved ones with this melt-in-your-mouth chocolate scone recipe! Do you prefer them for breakfast or a coffee break? Leave your votes in the comments below or tag me on Instagram! 😉
Watch How To Make It
Chocolate Chip Scones
Ingredients
Scones
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cut into chunks
- ½ cup heavy cream plus more for brushing the scones
- 2 large eggs
Glaze (Optional)
- 2-3 tablespoons milk
- 1 cups confectioners sugar, sifted
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Quickly cut the butter into flour mixture with your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs (3-5 minutes), or use a pastry cutter. Stir the chocolate chips.
- Make a well in the center and add the heavy cream and eggs. Stir with hands or a rubber spatula until it forms a rough ball (about a minute; don't overmix).
- Transfer dough to a floured board or surface; then knead 3-4 times—just enough for it to come together.
- Gently press the dough down to an inch thick. Cut the scones with a 2-inch round cookie cutter or glass. Press the remaining scraps together and cut it again until you use up the dough. Or cut dough into eight wedges, like traditional scones, with a knife or bench scraper.
- Bake at 400°F (205℃) for about 20 minutes, until lightly browned. But start checking on them after about 10 minutes.
- Remove them from the oven, cool on a wire rack for about 5 minutes, and enjoy warm. Or cool them completely before proceeding with the optional glaze.
Tips & Notes:
- A hot oven is crucial for that initial rise and golden-brown crust. So preheat your oven before your scones go in.
- The foundation of a great scone lies in the quality of your ingredients. Opt for high-quality butter, fresh baking powder, and premium chocolate chips. Trust me, your taste buds will thank you.
- When cutting the dough for scones, press straight down with the cutter or the knife without twisting. That helps the scones to rise better.
- If you only have salted butter on hand, just reduce the salt by ¼ teaspoon, and you’re good to go!
- Please remember that the nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on the products used in the recipe.
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