Chocolate Chip Scones

These chocolate chip scones are rich, buttery, and moist with hints of vanilla. They are slightly crispy on the outside and soft in the center and loaded with chocolate chips!

My family loves scones so much that I’ve created many flavors (like pumpkin scones and cinnamon scones), but these chocolate chip scones might be their favorite yet!

They are easy to make and are such a treat for a special occasion breakfast! Served warm with homemade hot chocolate, your entire family will love this chocolate chip scones recipe.

Chocolate Chip Scones Recipe: Ingredients and substitutions

All-purpose flour. I have only tried this recipe with all-purpose flour, if you’re looking for gluten-free scones, I suggest using a 1:1 all-purpose gluten-free baking flour
Granulated sugar. I bake with organic cane sugar, but white granulated sugar works well.
Salted Butter. Both salted and unsalted butter work well in this scone recipe. TIP: we use frozen butter to make these scones – so be sure to put a stick in the freezer!
Half and Half. Heavy cream and whole milk are both acceptable substitutes for half and half.
Vanilla extract. For different flavors, substitute ½ tsp vanilla extract for different extracts (almond, orange, lemon etc.)
Raw Turbinado sugar. I use organic raw turbinado sugar to sprinkle on top of the scones.
Chocolate chips: We prefer mini chocolate chips, all varieties work well.

How to make chocolate chip scones

This chocolate chip scones recipe is easy to make! Follow along with our step-by-step instructions and don’t forget to watch the video.

Make the scone dough

Begin by combining the dry ingredients in a large bowl. You will be mixing everything in this bowl so make sure it has the capacity to hold all the ingredients.

Next, grate the frozen butter.

Then, add the grated butter to the dry mixture and stir to combine.

This is the trick that I find makes these scones light, fluffy and irresistible! You can cut the cold butter in with a fork or pastry cutter, if you prefer.

Then, add the wet ingredients and stir to combine.

At this point, the dough will look crumbly initially but will clump together when squeezed between your fingers and should easily form a circle.

Next, add the chocolate chips and stir until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.

Form the scones

Once the mixture resembles the photo above, turn the dough out onto a well-floured surface (or pastry slab) and form into a round circle about 8-9” in diameter.

Cut the dough into 8 equal pieces. Start by cutting the circle in half from top to bottom. Then cut it in half from side to side. Then cut the remaining pieces in half diagonally. (see video).

To make in advance:

If making ahead: tightly wrap the circle of dough in plastic wrap and put it in an airtight container (or plastic bag) and chill in the refrigerator overnight. When you’re ready to bake them in the morning, simply continue following the recipe.

Then, carefully separate the chocolate chip scones and evenly space them on the prepared baking sheet.

Lightly brush the top of the dough with half and half, sprinkle with raw sugar and gently press it into the top of the scones. This is optional, but recommended.

Bake and cool

Finally, bake the chocolate chip scones in the preheated oven for 14 to 17 minutes, or until they just look set and are barely starting to brown.

Remove from the oven and transfer the scones to a baking sheet to cool, or serve warm (which I highly recommend).

Make the glaze (Optional):

If you’d like, you can make the glaze according to the recipe and drizzle it over the cooled chocolate chip scones.

Let them sit at room temperature until the glaze has hardened (about 30-60 minutes).

Serve

I suggest serving the scones at room temperature or slightly warm (my preference). Serve them with a dollop of cinnamon butter for an extra special touch.

I enjoy serving them as a special brunch along with some of our favorite breakfast recipes like this delicious quiche, cinnamon rolls and fruit salad.

Store/freeze

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Recipe FAQs

Can chocolate chip scones be made ahead?

Yes! Make the dough according to the instructions, form it into a disc, but do not cut it (leave it as a round 9″ circle).
Then, wrap it tightly with plastic wrap and put it in an airtight container. Then, in the morning cut and bake the scones according to the recipe instructions.

How do you reheat scones?

There are two ways to reheat these easy scones:
In the microwave. Simply warm scones in the microwave for 15-30 seconds (depending on the power of your microwave and the number of scones you are heating up). Then enjoy!
In the oven. Wrap scones in foil or put them in a covered baking dish (to prevent drying out) and warm in the oven preheated to 300 degrees F for 10-15 minutes!

Are scones and biscuits the same?

No. Biscuits are savory and contain milk and sour cream instead of heavy cream or half and half. Biscuits rise more than scones and don’t contain vanilla.

Are scones supposed to be hard or soft?

They should have a slightly crunchy exterior and moist, soft interior.

Why does butter and the wet ingredients need to be cold?

It is important that the butter and the rest of the ingredients are cold in the scone dough because the little “chunks” of cold butter throughout the dough are critical to the texture.
The cold butter chunks melt while baking, which creates flaky layers and pockets in the scones, making the perfect homemade scones!

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LauraThese chocolate chip scones are rich, buttery, and moist with hints of vanilla. They are slightly crispy on the outside and soft in the center and loaded with chocolate chips! 5 from 2 votesCourse Breakfast, brunchCuisine American, FrenchServings SconesCalories 369Prep Time10 Cook Time15 Total Time25

Equipment

mixing bowls
measuring spoons
measuring cups
spatula
box grater
baking sheet
silicone baking mat

Ingredients

▢ 2 cups all-purpose flour
▢ ¼ cup granulated sugar
▢ 1 tablespoon baking powder
▢ ½ tsp fine sea salt
▢ ½ cup salted butter frozen
▢ ½ cup half and half or heavy cream
▢ 1 large egg
▢ 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
▢ ¾ cup chocolate chips or mini chocolate chips

Topping:

▢ 1 tablespoon half and half
▢ 2 tablespoon raw turbinado sugar

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper, set aside.
In a large bowl add flour, sugar, baking powder and sea salt. Stir to combine.
Grate the frozen butter into the dry mixture and stir to combine. (This is the trick that I find makes these scones light, fluffy and irresistible! You can, of course, cut the cold butter in with a fork or pastry cutter, if you prefer.)
Add half and half, egg and vanilla extract and stir until combined. The dough will look crumbly initially but will clump together when squeezed between your fingers and should easily form a circle.
Add chocolate chips and stir until evenly distributed.
Turn dough out onto a well-floured surface (or pastry slab) and form into a round circle about 8-9” in diameter. *see notes for instructions on making these the night before.
Cut into 8 equal pieces. Start by cutting the circle in half from top to bottom. Then cut it in half from side to side. Then cut the remaining pieces in half diagonally. (see video)
Carefully separate the scones and spread them out evenly on the prepared baking sheet.
Lightly brush the top of the dough with half and half, sprinkle with raw sugar and gently press it into the top of the scones.
Bake in the preheated oven for 14 to 17 minutes, or until the scones look set.
Remove from the oven and transfer scones to a baking sheet to cool, or serve warm (which I highly recommend).

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Video

Notes

To make ahead: Tightly wrap the circle of scone dough in plastic wrap and put it in an airtight container (or plastic bag) and chill in the refrigerator overnight. In the morning before baking, proceed with the recipe).Optional Glaze Recipe: Whisk ingredients together in a small bowl. Drizzle over cooled scones.

½ cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon whole milk
½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Ingredient Substitutions

All-purpose flour. I have only tried this recipe with all-purpose flour, if you’re looking for gluten-free scones, I suggest using a 1:1 all-purpose gluten-free baking flour
Granulated sugar. I bake with organic cane sugar, but white granulated sugar works well.
Salted Butter. Both salted and unsalted butter work well in this scone recipe. TIP: we use frozen butter to make these scones – so be sure to put a stick in the freezer!
Half and Half. Heavy cream and whole milk are both acceptable substitutes for half and half.
Vanilla extract. For different flavors, substitute ½ tsp vanilla extract for different extracts (almond, orange, lemon etc.)
Raw Turbinado sugar. I use organic raw turbinado sugar to sprinkle on top of the scones.
Chocolate chips: we prefer mini chips, any variety works well.

Store/freezeStore in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you enjoy this recipe? Have a question? Leave a comment below!

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