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These Chocolate Chip Scones are soft, buttery, and loaded with melty chocolate chips in every bite. They come together with simple pantry staples and bake up golden and tender with a perfectly crisp on top. A warm batch of these scones paired with your morning coffee or afternoon tea will instantly make your day feel cozy and extra special!
Whether you’re baking for brunch, meal prepping a sweet treat, or craving something chocolatey, this easy scone recipe delivers every time.
I made an orange chili version of these scones, and they were so good! I added orange zest to the dough and used Beautiful Briny Sea’s orange chili sugar for the topping. Delish!
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I first shared this ultra-tender chocolate chip scone recipe back in 2021, and it’s been one of my go-to cozy bakes ever since. But when I decided to revisit it this year (hello, 2025 recipe refresh!), I wanted to make it even better.
This time, I used 82% European-style butter, and WOW, what a difference it made. The texture turned out softer and flakier, the edges baked up perfectly crisp, and the flavor was richer and more bakery-like. I wrapped them up nicely in these little baggies and took them to the fire station, they LOVED them! Safe to say, this updated version is officially a keeper in our house!
Curious about why European butter is better? Here’s why!
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Super buttery and tender in the center.
- Loaded with chocolate chips for the perfect flavor balance.
- Quick and easy, ready in under 30 minutes!
- Made with basic pantry ingredients
- Freezer-friendly and perfect for making ahead.
Table of Contents
- Why you’ll love this recipe
- Ingredients for this easy Chocolate chip scones recipe
- How to make moist chocolate chip scones (step-by-step)
- Pro Tips for Perfect Chocolate Chip Scones
- Frequently asked questions – FAQ
- Chocolate chip scones Recipe
- If you enjoyed this Chocolate Chip Scones recipe recipe make sure to pin it for later!
Ingredients for this easy Chocolate chip scones recipe
Here is what you need to make the best chocolate chip scones (see recipe card for exact amounts):
- All-purpose flour – the base for tender scones
- Granulated sugar – adds sweetness and helps with browning
- Baking powder – gives the scones their lift and flakiness
- Salt – balances the flavors
- Cold European-style butter (82% fat) – gives incredible richness and texture. I tried this recipe with multiple different butters and the 82% fat one won!
- Heavy cream – adds moisture and tenderness
- Egg – binds everything together
- Vanilla extract – for warmth and flavor
- Chocolate chips – use a mix of mini and regular semi-sweet for the best texture
- Vanilla sugar (optional) – for a sweet, crunchy topping
How to make moist chocolate chip scones (step-by-step)
This is how you can make homemade scones Make sure to scroll down to the recipe card for the full detailed instructions!
- Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Whisk dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder, salt).
- Cut in cold butter using a pastry cutter or your hands until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Mix wet ingredients (heavy cream, egg, vanilla) in a separate bowl.
- Combine wet and dry just until the scone dough starts to come together; don’t overmix.
- Fold in chocolate chips and shape the dough into an 8-inch disc on a lightly floured surface.
- Cut into 8 triangles, arrange on the baking sheet, and freeze for 10 minutes (for the best rise!).
- Brush with cream and sprinkle with vanilla sugar.
- Bake 18–22 minutes, until golden and slightly firm to the touch. Cool on a wire rack and enjoy warm.
Serving Idea: Serve these warm with butter, clotted cream, or even a drizzle of caramel sauce for a decadent twist. Always pair with your morning coffee, afternoon tea, or your favorite drink!
Pro Tips for Perfect Chocolate Chip Scones
- Use cold butter. I like to cube mine then pop it in the freezer for 10 minutes before mixing.
- Don’t over-mix the dough! Stir just until the flour disappears.
- If your kitchen runs warm, chill the dough before cutting the scones.
- Sprinkle coarse sugar on top for extra crunch and sparkle.
- For a bakery-style flavor and texture, mix mini and regular chocolate chips in there.
Frequently asked questions – FAQ
How should I store leftover chocolate chip scones?
Once the scones have fully cooled down, place them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. To extend their shelf life, refrigerate them for up to 5 days. Make sure to reheat them briefly at 350F to restore their freshness!
What happens if I use cold milk instead of heavy cream?
You can use cold milk, but the scones won’t be as rich of tender. Heavy cream adds fat and moisture, giving the crumb a bakery-style texture. If you’re using milk, add 1 extra tablespoon of butter to make up for the lower fat.
Can I freeze these chocolate chip scones? (before or after baking?
Yes! Freeze unbaked scones on a sheet tray, then bake straight from frozen (add 2-3 minutes). You can also freeze baked ones and reheat them right before serving.
Can I make these scones gluten-free or use alternative flours?
Yes! Replace the all-purpose flour with 1:1 gluten-free baking blend that includes xanthan gum for structure. Avoid using almond or coconut flour alone, they absorb moisture differently and will make the dough crumbly. If you try it add a splash more cream to help with texture .
What type of chocolate chips should I use?
When it comes to chocolate in sweet scones, the better the quality, the better the scones. I like to use semi-sweet chocolate chips; the Ghirardelli or the Guittard ones work really well.
Can I make mini versions or change the size of these chocolate chip scones?
Absolutely! You can make mini scones by dividing the dough into smaller portions before baking. Just keep in mind that they will bake a lot faster the smaller they are. So I would check for doneness around the 10-12 minutes mark instead of the full baking time. Mini scones are perfect for brunch spreads or coffee breaks!
Chocolate chip scones
Ingredients
- 1 egg
- 2/3 cup heavy cream Extra for brushing the scones
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cup AP flour
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup butter cubed,cold
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Vanilla sugar for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper then set aside.
- In a small bowl, mix the egg, vanilla, and heavy cream together and set aside.1 egg, 2/3 cup heavy cream, 1 tsp vanilla extract
- In a large bowl, whisk the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt until combined. Mix in the cubed cold butter with your hands, a fork, or a pastry cutter.2 cup AP flour, 1/3 cup granulated sugar, 2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt
- Mix in the cubed cold butter with your hands (quickly to not melt the butter), a fork, or a pastry cutter. You want the mixture to look pebbly with little pieces of butter covered in flour.1/2 cup butter
- Pour the heavy cream mixture over the flour mixture and stir with a fork or a rubber spatula to combine, stir in the chocolate chips. Don't overmix.1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, 1/4 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Pour the scone dough onto a lightly floured surface, gently pat and shape into a thick 8-inch round. The dough will be a little sticky so keep dusting your surface as needed to be able to handle it. Slice the dough into 8 equally sized triangles with a sharp knife.
- Place the scones on a parchment-lined baking sheet and chill in the freezer for 15 minutes.
- Brush the heavy cream with extra cream and sprinkle with granulated vanilla sugar or regular granulated sugar and bake for 18-20 minutes. Cool down and enjoy.Vanilla sugar
Notes
How to store scones?
Scones are usually best the day you bake them, but if you need to store them, keeping them in an airtight container at room temp for up to three days will work as well.Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
If you enjoyed this Chocolate Chip Scones recipe recipe make sure to pin it for later!
Came out Great! Crunchy on outside & nice & soft on inside! Will definitely be making on repeat!!
Thanks for the recipe!!
I appreciate the nice review and I’m so glad you liked it 🙂
I made an orange chili version of these scones, and they were so good! I added orange zest to the dough and used Beautiful Briny Sea’s orange chili sugar for the topping. Delish! 😍
Wow, this sounds delicious Becky!
So I am not a chocolate person and don’t even really like chocolate chip cookies but these scones are probably the best chocolate pastry I have ever had. They are perfection. Moist, chocolate, but not to sweet. Loved it and how simple it was to make.
I made these and they turned out so so well and I absolutely love them!! They tasted so so good!!❤️❤️
Enjoy Sara!
These became an instant classic in our house! They’re perfect with Lily’s sugar-free chocolate chips!
I am so glad to hear that! I have to try Lily’s sugar free chocolate chips for these next time for sure 🙂
Chahinez
So so yummy!! And easy to make! The recipe was perfect! I used Lily’s Stevia chocolate chips and it was so YUM!
Those are such good chocolate chips!! So happy to hear you enjoyed these!
Chahinez
Amazing scones! I made them for Christmas morning and they were perfect! They aren’t too sweet and have amazing texture! I made the dough the day before and refrigerated it and baked them the next morning. That way they’d be freshly baked and I topped them with powdered sugar! Highly recommend!
These scones are perfect for breakfast or brunch so I am so happy that you loved them as much as we did 🙂
Chahinez