Easy Chocolate Chip Scones Recipe

Indulge in Buttery Chocolate Chip Scones: A Cozy Morning Treat

Chocolate chip scones offer a tasty spin on the classic British pastry.

These buttery treats mix traditional scone-making with the tempting taste of chocolate.

Scones started in the United Kingdom and have become a favorite for breakfast and tea around the world.

Adding chocolate chips turns the usual recipe into something more special and fun to eat.

Both bakers and those who cook at home love how easy it is to make these delicious pastries, which blend sweetness and texture perfectly.

Chocolate chip scones are a flexible snack that can make any morning or afternoon better with their cozy warmth and rich flavor.

Best Tips For Chocolate Chip Scones

  • Chill for Flakiness: Refrigerate the scone dough before baking to ensure a tender, flaky texture that melts in your mouth.
  • Customize Chocolate Chips: Experiment with different chocolate variations like dark, milk, or white chocolate chips to suit your taste preferences.
  • Prevent Tough Scones: Handle the dough minimally and avoid overmixing to keep the scones light and delicate.
  • Freeze for Later: Prepare unbaked scones, freeze them on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag for quick morning breakfasts.
  • Dairy-Free Adaptation: Substitute buttermilk with dairy-free alternatives like almond milk mixed with apple cider vinegar for a vegan-friendly version.

How To Keep Chocolate Chip Scones Fresh

  • Refrigerate: Store cooled scones in an airtight container, placing parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. Keeps fresh for 3-4 days.
  • Freeze: Wrap individual scones tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze up to 2 months for best quality.
  • Reheat Refrigerated Scones: Warm in microwave for 15-20 seconds or toast in oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes until slightly crisp on edges.
  • Thaw Frozen Scones: Transfer from freezer to refrigerator overnight, then warm in oven at 300°F for 8-10 minutes to restore original texture.

Chocolate Chip Scones Pair Well With This

  • Pair with Creamy Cappuccino: Smooth espresso with frothy milk complements the rich chocolate and buttery scone, creating a delightful morning indulgence.
  • Serve with Berry Compote: Tangy mixed berry sauce adds bright acidity that cuts through the scone's sweetness, balancing flavors beautifully.
  • Match with Cold Milk Tasting: Classic whole milk or almond milk highlights the chocolate's deep notes, offering a refreshing contrast to the warm, tender scone.
  • Recommend Cinnamon Chai Latte: Spicy, warming chai tea brings out the scone's subtle vanilla undertones while providing a cozy, comforting drinking companion.

Try Something New With Chocolate Chip Scones

  • Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Scones: Replace wheat flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend, ensuring the same tender texture and delicious chocolate chip flavor for those with gluten sensitivities.
  • Vegan Chocolate Chip Scones: Swap butter with cold coconut oil, use a plant-based milk alternative, and replace the egg with a flax egg or applesauce to create a dairy-free and egg-free version.
  • Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Scones: Substitute half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for added fiber and a nuttier taste, maintaining the classic chocolate chip scone experience.
  • Low-Sugar Chocolate Chip Scones: Reduce sugar content by using a sugar substitute like stevia or monk fruit sweetener, and opt for dark chocolate chips with lower sugar content for a healthier alternative.

Your Chocolate Chip Scones FAQ

  • Why use cold butter in the recipe?

Cold butter creates flaky, tender layers in scones by creating pockets of fat that steam during baking, resulting in a lighter texture.

  • Can I substitute buttermilk?

Yes, you can use regular milk or make a buttermilk substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to 1 cup of milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes.

  • How do I know when the scones are properly mixed?

The dough should just barely hold together without being overmixed. Overmixing can make scones tough and dense instead of light and tender.

  • Is it necessary to chill the scones before baking?

Chilling helps solidify the butter, prevents spreading, and ensures a better rise, creating a more structured and flakier scone texture.

Why Chocolate Chip Scones Are A Favorite

  • Quick and Easy Baking: Perfect for busy bakers wanting delightful treats without complex steps.
  • Minimal Ingredient Magic: Requires basic pantry staples like flour, butter, and chocolate chips, making preparation super convenient.
  • Weekend Breakfast Champion: Delivers restaurant-quality scones right in your kitchen, transforming ordinary mornings into special moments.
  • Flexible Serving Options: Enjoy warm straight from the oven or store for later, providing versatility for different schedules and preferences.

Chocolate Chip Scones: What You’ll Need

Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Base structure for tender and light scones, soft wheat varieties work best.
  • Sugar: Provides subtle sweetness and helps with browning.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.
  • Baking Powder: Crucial leavening agent for soft, risen texture.
Wet Ingredients:
  • Buttermilk, Egg: Provide moisture, richness, and help bind ingredients together, use fresh ingredients for best results.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, deep flavor complexity.
Fat and Mix-Ins:
  • Cold Grated Butter, Chocolate Chips: Butter creates flaky layers, cold temperature is key for perfect texture. Chocolate chips add delicious pockets of sweetness, dark or semi-sweet work best.
Optional Glaze Ingredients:
  • Powdered Sugar, Milk, Vanilla Extract: Creates smooth, sweet drizzle for finishing scones, adjust consistency as needed.

Making Chocolate Chip Scones At Home

Making Chocolate Chip Scones At Home

Step 1: Combine Dry Ingredients

Mix flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder in a large mixing bowl using a whisk until perfectly blended.

Step 2: Incorporate Butter

Use a pastry blender or your hands to cut cold grated butter into the dry mixture, creating a crumbly texture.

Step 3: Prepare Wet Mixture

Whisk together in a separate bowl:
  • Buttermilk
  • Egg
  • Vanilla extract

Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and add chocolate chips. Stir until dough comes together.

Step 4: Shape Scone Dough

Sprinkle flour on a clean work surface. Press dough into an 8-inch circular shape, keeping thickness around 3/4 inch. Gently brush top with buttermilk.

Step 5: Cut Scone Wedges

Using a sharp knife, divide the circular dough into 8 equal wedges. Carefully transfer each wedge onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving space between them.

Step 6: Chill and Prepare Oven

Place scones in refrigerator for 20 minutes. Simultaneously, preheat oven to 400°F.

Step 7: Bake Golden Scones

Slide baking sheet into preheated oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes until scones turn golden brown.

Step 8: Create Optional Glaze

Whisk together:
  • Powdered sugar
  • Milk
  • Vanilla extract

Drizzle glaze over warm scones.

Step 9: Serve and Store

Enjoy scones warm. Store remaining scones in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

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Easy Chocolate Chip Scones Recipe

Easy Chocolate Chip Scones Recipe


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4.7 from 27 reviews

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Delightful Chocolate Chip Scones bring British bakery charm straight to your kitchen. Buttery pastry studded with rich chocolate melts into golden crumbly perfection, promising a sweet morning companion you’ll savor with morning coffee or afternoon tea.


Ingredients

Scale

Chocolate Chip Scones

Main Ingredients:

  • 2 cups (473 ml) all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (170 g) chocolate chips
  • ½ cup (113 g or 1 stick) unsalted butter, grated and very cold or frozen

Sweeteners and Liquids:

  • ⅓ cup (67 g) granulated sugar
  • ½ cup (120 ml) buttermilk or heavy cream (plus more for brushing)
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) milk or water
  • 1 large egg

Dry and Seasoning Ingredients:

  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Optional Icing:

  • 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
  • 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Combine flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder in a spacious mixing bowl, thoroughly whisking to distribute ingredients evenly.
  2. Incorporate cold grated butter into the dry mixture using a pastry blender or fingertips, working until the texture resembles coarse, irregular crumbs.
  3. Whisk buttermilk, egg, and vanilla extract in a separate container, creating a smooth liquid blend.
  4. Pour the wet ingredients into the flour mixture, gently folding in chocolate chips until the dough forms a cohesive, slightly sticky consistency.
  5. Dust a clean work surface with flour and carefully shape the dough into a circular disk approximately 8 inches wide and ¾ inch thick.
  6. Delicately brush the dough’s surface with additional buttermilk for enhanced golden coloration.
  7. Using a sharp knife, precisely slice the circular dough into 8 equal triangular wedges.
  8. Arrange the scone wedges on a parchment-lined baking sheet, maintaining slight separation between each piece.
  9. Refrigerate the scones for 20 minutes while simultaneously preheating the oven to 400°F.
  10. Bake the scones until they develop a rich, golden-brown exterior, approximately 20-25 minutes.
  11. Allow the scones to cool slightly, preserving their delicate texture.
  12. Optional: Create a smooth glaze by whisking powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract, then drizzle elegantly over warm scones.
  13. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container, maintaining freshness for up to 3 days at room temperature.

Notes

  • Ensure butter is cold and grated for the flakiest, most tender scones that practically melt in your mouth.
  • Use a light touch when mixing to prevent tough, dense scones; overmixing develops gluten and creates a heavier texture.
  • Chilling the dough before baking helps maintain the scones’ shape and creates a beautiful golden-brown exterior with crisp edges.
  • For dietary variations, swap chocolate chips with dried fruits
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: British

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 350
  • Sugar: 14 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 18 g
  • Saturated Fat: 11 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 43 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 50 mg
Michael Reynolds

Michael Reynolds

Founder, Head Recipe Developer & Cuisine Specialist

Expertise

Recipe Development and Testing​, Modern American and European Cuisines​, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education and Workshops​

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and global cuisines.​

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts

  • Program: Diploma in Pastry Arts
  • Focus: Specialized education in baking and pastry, emphasizing artisanal bread, confections, and plated desserts.​

Michael Reynolds is the founder and head recipe creator at wd-50.com. With over 15 years of experience in the kitchen, he’s spent time working in top restaurants and now focuses on making great food easy for everyone at home.

Michael studied culinary arts at Johnson & Wales University and later trained in pastry at the Auguste Escoffier School. He knows his way around both savory meals and sweet treats.

At wd-50.com, his goal is to help you feel confident in the kitchen, whether you’re trying something new or cooking a favorite dish. He loves using fresh ingredients and simple steps that still bring out big flavors.

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