Easy Chocolate Scones Recipe

This delicious and Easy Chocolate Scones Recipe makes scones that are light, flaky, and full of flavor. They are one of my favorite ways to both start and end a day! 

This was one of my very first recipes back in 2017 when I began blogging. It was first published on My Cooking Spot, but I recently made a few updates below to answer a few scone related questions and make the recipe easier for you to make at home.

Let's make some!

Chocolate scones on gold cooling rack on beige dish towel and dark wood board with turquoise coffee cup

How do I get my scones to rise and be fluffy?

There are a few things to take into consideration for fluffy scones.

  1. Baking powder! You want to check your baking powder and make sure it is fresh and not any older than 6 months old.
  2. Use very cold butter. I pop my butter into the freezer about 30 minutes before I add it into my scone batter.
  3. Be careful not to overwork your dough. If you knead it too much the scones will not get a good rise while baking. You want to knead the dough just enough to bring your dough together.  

 

What are the qualities of a good scone?

A good scone should be light, flaky, and full of flavor! The key is in your dough. You want the scone to have a lighter almost crumbly texture and not a tough bread like texture. You get this perfect texture by not overworking your dough. Knead it just enough to bring your dough together. 

 

What is the difference between a scone and biscuit?

The difference between a scone and a tea biscuit is simply the eggs. Scones have eggs in their ingredient list and biscuits do not. Other than that, the ingredient list and process to making both scones and biscuits are very much the same. While similar, the egg helps as a leavening agent for the scones to rise and have a lighter texture than a biscuit. 

 

Can you freeze scones?

You can freeze scones either before baking or after baking. 

Freeze before baking: Layer scones in a freezer bag or container. Place sheets of parchment paper between each layer to keep them from sticking. When ready to bake, you can bake them from frozen by adding a few minutes to the bake time called for or thaw them overnight and bake as directed. 

Freeze after baking: Layer scones in a freezer bag or container. Place sheets of parchment paper between each layer to keep them from sticking. When ready to eat, leave out of the counter for a few hours or overnight in the fridge. Warm them in a microwave for 30 seconds or pop in the oven for 10 minutes at 300°.

 

Chocolate scones on gold cooling rack on beige dish towel and dark wood board with turquoise coffee cup

Easy Chocolate Scone Recipe Ingredients:

To make this Easy Chocolate Scone Recipe, you will need the following ingredients. See the full recipe card below for detailed amounts and instructions! 

  • Flour - All purpose flour is all you need for this recipe!
  • Cocoa powder - Unsweetened is your go-to here
  • Sugar - Granulated sugar 
  • Baking powder - For the perfect fluffy scone!
  • Salt - Just a tad
  • Butter - Unsalted butter is great here. You want it to be super cold so you get a great flake to your scone. I pop mine in the freezer about 30 minutes before I begin!
  • Chocolate chips & walnuts - I like working with the smaller chips and finely chopped walnuts for these scones.
  • Heavy cream - This helps get such a great texture to our scones!
  • Almond extract - You can substitute vanilla extract if you need to
  • Egg - Just one will do!

     

    How to Make This Easy Chocolate Scones Recipe:

    To make this Easy Chocolate Scones Recipe, simply:

    1. Mix the dry ingredients: Mix the flour, cocoa, baking powder, salt, and sugar in a large bowl until combined.
    2. Cut in the butter: Cut cold butter into cubes and cut into dry ingredients with a pastry cutter (or two forks) until mixture looks like fine pebbles.
    3. Add ins: Add in the chocolate chips and finely chopped walnuts.
    4. Add wet ingredients: In a small bowl mix together the cream, vanilla, and eggs. Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture and begin to gently stir together until the dough starts to gather. Be careful not to over stir the dough. 
    5. Form the dough: On a floured surface, begin to knead the dough until it is firm enough to shape. Shape dough into a large round about 2 inches in thickness. Cut the dough into 8 even triangles and place each triangle on a parchment lined baking sheet. Add a few extra decorative chocolate chips to the top of the dough before baking.
    6. Bake: Bake scones for 20-25 minutes at 375°. 

     

    NOTES:

    Bake time: If you like a softer scones check at 15-20 minutes. For a firmer scone bake for up to 25 minutes. 

    To store: Keep tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. 

    To freeze: Can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

     

    Variations:

    When making this easy chocolate scones recipe, you can change out the chocolate and walnut for a variety of other flavors. Such as:

    • Double chocolate - Remove the nuts and add a second type of chocolate instead!
    • Cherry chocolate chip - Remove the nuts and add chopped cherries.
    • Chocolate raspberry - Remove the nuts and add chopped raspberries.

     

    More Recipes You’ll Love!

     

     

    Print
    clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
    chocolate-walnut-scones

    Easy Chocolate Scones Recipe


    • Author: Lauren
    • Total Time: 35 minutes
    • Yield: 8 large scones 1x

    Description

    This delicious and Easy Chocolate Scones Recipe makes scones that are light, flaky, and full of flavor. They are one of my favorite ways to both start and end a day! 


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 1 ¾ cup all purpose flour
    • ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
    • ⅓ cup sugar
    • 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter, cold
    • ¾ cup semi sweet chocolate chips
    • ½ cup finely chopped walnuts
    • ⅔ cup heavy cream
    • 1 ¼ teaspoon almond extract
    • 1 large egg

    Instructions

      1. Mix the dry ingredients: Mix the flour, cocoa, baking powder, salt, and sugar in a large bowl until combined.
      2. Cut in the butter: Cut cold butter into cubes and cut into dry ingredients with a pastry cutter (or two forks) until mixture looks like fine pebbles.
      3. Add ins: Add in the chocolate chips and finely chopped walnuts.
      4. Add wet ingredients: In a small bowl mix together the cream, vanilla, and eggs. Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture and begin to gently stir together until the dough starts to gather. Be careful not to over stir the dough. 
      5. Form the dough: On a floured surface, begin to knead the dough until it is firm enough to shape. Shape dough into a large round about 2 inches in thickness. Cut the dough into 8 even triangles and place each triangle on a parchment lined baking sheet. Add a few extra decorative chocolate chips to the top of the dough before baking.
      6. Bake: Bake scones for 20-25 minutes at 375°. 

    Notes

    • Bake time: If you like a softer scones check at 15-20 minutes. For a firmer scone bake for up to 25 minutes. 
    • To store: Keep tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. 
    • To freeze: Can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
    • Prep Time: 10 minutes
    • Additional Time: 0 hours
    • Cook Time: 25 minutes

    Keywords: scones recipe

     

    Leave a Comment

    Recipe rating

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Welcome!

    I'm Lauren, creator here at by Lauren Cermak! My husband Michael and I live in Knoxville, Tennessee. I'm into classic style, British baking shows, TBR piles, and pretty finds. My motto is dress like Kate, work like Reese, and entertain like Martha. If you get that, consider us quick friends!

    Follow on Pinterest

    • We have these pendants all over our studio because we love them so much! Their metal shade and the warm glow they exude is perfect for any setting.
    • A round up post of the best kitchens by Studio McGee! Blogger, and interior designer who knows how to renovate inspiring kitchens!
    • We were immediately attracted to the Limoges Pendant for its bold simplicity. Its strong conical shade is held by a large circular clasp that bring balance and subtle interplay with shaping into its design.
    • We’re delighted to share with you a new series in the Armac Martin journal. We'll be showcasing 'Kitchens We Love’ and in the first, we're featuring the beautiful McGee family kitchen by interior designers Studio McGee.
    • 11 Best Kitchens by Studio McGee - Nikki's Plate Blog
    • View this beautiful modern mountain home created by Studio McGee. Find stunning images of the living room, dining room, kitchen and mountain bedrooms.
    • The kitchen of the newly renovated Jones home has been completely transformed. A wall was removed to increase the size of the kitchen and to add to the open feel of the home. Some key elements are the stainless steel appliances, farm sink, pantry, and subway inspired tile on the backsplash, as seen on Fixer Upper. (after)

    Recent Posts

    Lifestyle

    Season

    meal