The Best Sourdough Chocolate Chip Scones
My sourdough chocolate chip scones are so simple to make—no, really they are! I’ve had so many readers comment or message me that they always thought scones were hard until they tried this recipe. Each bite is full of chocolate chips and the perfect sweetness. You’re going to love them just as much as we do! This recipe post includes a video tutorial so you can make it alongside me, step-by-step!
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If you want to make this recipe but don’t have a sourdough starter, no worries! Grab my free guide so you can make your own starter at home.
If you’re new to sourdough baking and feel hesitant, or you have questions, I’ve got something for you! I broke down the basics of what you need to know about sourdough baking in my free sourdough baking guide for beginners. I highly recommend grabbing a copy!
Scones are one of my favorite bakery treats especially during the morning hours when they’re fresh out of the oven. They’re the perfect balance of sweet and savory. With the sourdough added in you’re getting gut benefits with an amazing flavor. Just the other night I whipped up a batch after supper and my husband and I enjoyed them while watching our favorite TV show. They truly are the perfect treat no matter the time of day.
Sourdough Chocolate Chip Scones Recipe Inspiration
After creating my first sourdough scone recipe, simple sourdough jalapeno cheddar scones, I knew I needed more varieties here on the blog. This was one of the original blogs published on Plum Branch Home and has consistently been my most popular post. With that being said and my love for chocolate chip baked goods with sourdough, I began developing this delicious recipe.
Why You’ll Love These Easy Sourdough Scones
- Super simple to whip up a batch
- Beginner friendly scone recipe
- Makes moist and fluffy scones
- The perfect afternoon snack
- Easy breakfast if prepared ahead of time
- Delicious movie night treat
- Dough freezes wonderfully
Using Sourdough Discard in Scones
The best way to use sourdough discard or unfed starter is to make scones! They’re so simple and delicious. You can make so many different flavors; there’s really no limit. If you are craving something sweet, make a sourdough brown sugar scone. If you’re craving something savory, make a batch of sourdough cheddar jalapeño scones.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- all-purpose flour
- cane sugar
- salt
- baking powder
- salted cold butter (not margarine)
- diary or dairy-free milk
- sourdough starter (fed or discard)
- pure vanilla extract
- large egg
- chocolate chips
Shop My Scone Baking Tool Kit
How to Make Sourdough Chocolate Chip Scones
Begin by combining flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder in a mixing bowl.
Incorporate butter by using a cheese grater (large side) or cutting it into the mixture with a fork until pea-sized pieces form.
Add chocolate chips and gently combine into the dry mixture.
Add milk, sourdough starter, vanilla, and egg. Mix gently using a spoon then use your hands to completely incorporate the flour.
Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured surface, knead dough gently for about 30 seconds.
Shape dough into a 2-inch high, 6-inch diameter circle.
Slice dough into 8 pieces like a pie, placing them 2 inches apart on parchment paper.
Preheat the oven to 400°F and bake for 18-20 minutes
Video Tutorial
Sourdough Baking Tips for Scones
- Avoid overworking/over mixing the dough to keep scones soft and fluffy.
- Freeze scones for a minimum of 10 minutes before baking to maintain moisture.
- You can use either sourdough discard or fed starter for this recipe (both turn out great).
- When cutting in the butter you can use a cheese grater instead to make the process easier.
Storing and Freezing
Storing: Keep these sourdough chocolate chip scones fresh for up to 4 days at room temperature in an airtight container, or about 7 days in the fridge.
Freezing: You can freeze either the dough or the baked scones. Baked scones will maintain their quality for up to three months in the freezer, while the dough can be frozen for one month.
Ensure proper wrapping with plastic wrap and placement in a freezer bag, or opt for a glass freezer-safe container – I personally prefer the container and it works wonderfully.
FAQs
Is it best to use salted or unsalted butter?
Either work great, it’s up to you on what you use.
Can I ferment these chocolate chip scones overnight until I’m ready to bake them?
Yes! Just place the dough in the fridge overnight and bake them within 24 hours. This will give your scones a deeper sourdough taste and more gut benefits.
How can I make a sourdough starter?
Visit my sourdough starter blog post for easy to use instructions: How to Make a Sourdough Starter (Guide for Beginners)
Do I need a sourdough starter?
For this recipe yes you do. There are other scone recipes online that don’t require sourdough but for this recipe it is necessary.
Can I use sourdough discard for this recipe?
Definitely! Use the same amount as the fed starter in this recipe.
More Sourdough Scone Recipes
- Sourdough Scotcheroo Scones (chocolate, peanut, butterscotch)
- Sourdough Cinnamon Brown Sugar Scones
- Sourdough Espresso Chocolate Chip Scones
- Sourdough Pumpkin Scones with Chocolate Chips
- Sourdough Banana Walnut Scones (with a maple syrup drizzle)
- Sourdough Jalapeno Popper Scones
Recipe
Sourdough Chocolate Chip Scones
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cane sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 cup salted cold butter (not margarine)
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup sourdough discard (AKA unfed starter)
- 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Begin by combining flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder in a mixing bowl.
- Incorporate butter by using a cheese grater (large side) or cutting it into the mixture with a fork until pea-sized pieces form.
- Add chocolate chips and gently combine into the dry mixture.
- Add milk, sourdough discard, vanilla, and egg. Mix gently using a spoon then use your hands to completely incorporate the flour. Your dough will be shaggy, use your hands to combine it and incorporate the flour completely.
- Optional: If you’d like to long ferment the dough for more sourdough gut benefits (the cultures will ferment the other ingredients) let it sit in the fridge for 12-24 hours before baking. You don't have to do this, it's completely optional.
- Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured surface, knead dough gently for about 15 seconds to get everything to combine.
- Shape dough into a 2-inch high, 6-inch diameter circle.
- Slice dough into 8 pieces like a pie, placing them 2 inches apart on a parchment-lined sheet pan.
- Stick the pan in the freezer for 10 minutes to set the dough for a better scone shape while baking (you can do this up to 3 months if you're making them ahead).
- Bake for 18-20 minutes until the bottoms are golden brown (stick a toothpick or knife into a scone, if it comes out clean they're done).
Video
Great Scone Recipe!!!
Bonus, easy to make and ready to eat in minutes!!
I made these tonight for a treat and let me say they are so delicious 😋!!!
Thank you!! So happy to hear you enjoyed them! They’re the perfect evening treat 😊
These are simple and so good! I watched a lot of tutorials on sourdough scones but this one was so simple, I felt less intimidated to try!
So glad I did! they are delicious!
I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed this recipe, thought it was simple, and less intimidating! That was my biggest goal when I developed it. Thank you so much for sharing!
Huge scone fan here. Thank you for this recipe, and I can’t wait to try it for my family this weekend!💚
You are so welcome! So excited for you to make this recipe, it’s one of our all-time favorites!
Yes please! Anything scones!!! Can’t wait to make a batch!🤩
You are going to love this recipe!!
This is one of my all time favorites to eat but I’ve never had a good recipe to make them. Thank you!
You are so welcome! They are one of my all-time favorites too! So excited for you to make this recipe!
This looks delicious and easy to make. So excited to try!
Thank you so much! They are so simple and easy to whip up!
Ooh! Sourdough treats are the best kind of treat. Can’t wait to try!
Yes they are! You’re going to love this recipe!
Can you substitute milk with oat milk? Or what is the best milk alternative to use? Thanks!
Yes, you can! You can use any milk substitute of choice. Oat milk or almond milk seems to be a popular substitution.
Do you bake from frozen? Or thaw first
If you make your scones ahead of time and then store them in the freezer you can bake them either frozen or thawed. If you prefer to bake them straight from the freezer just add 5-10 minutes to the bake time to ensure they bake fully. If you want to thaw them, simply place the frozen scones on a parchment-lined sheet pan and thaw in the fridge overnight before baking. You will use the original baking time on the recipe if you do it this way.
These are so delicious! This was my first time making scones and your video and instructions were so easy to follow! Thanks for sharing this recipe☺️
Thank you so much! I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe!
So excited to put these in the oven. I usually make blueberry scones but has a thought to use a recipe like this. I know they will be perefect
Yay! I’m so excited for you to enjoy them! This is my husband and I’s favorite scone recipe