Sourdough Derby Pie Scones (chocolate chip walnut scones)
These sourdough derby pie scones are full of chocolate chips and walnuts just like you’d find in Derby Pie! If you’re looking for an easier way to make this famous Kentucky Derby dessert, whip up a batch of these chocolate chip walnut scones! You won’t be disappointed, they taste just like the pie just in sourdough scone form.
This recipe post includes a video tutorial so you can make it alongside me, step-by-step! P.S. This is the very first Derby Pie scone on the internet! How cool is that?!
This post may contain affiliate links of items I know and love. Read our disclosure policy for more information. I NEVER use AI (artificial intelligence) to create content for Plum Branch Home. Recipes, blog posts, photos, videos, podcasts, social media content: everything is made from scratch by me, Molly LaFontaine. After developing my recipes, they’re tested 2x by my husband, Tyler, and I before publishing. What you see from Plum Branch Home is real. It’s made for a reason, tested, and loved!
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!
What are Derby Pie Scones?
I created these sourdough chocolate chip walnut scones to give you a unique way to enjoy the famous Derby pie!
Derby pie is enjoyed during parties, gatherings, and even at the Kentucky Derby. It’s a Kentucky staple. You’ll find this pie with both pecans or walnuts. It just depends who’s making it!
Why You Will Love This Sourdough Scone Recipe
- Just like Derby Pie: I developed this scone to be just like Derby pie.
- Easy Sourdough Scone Recipe: Like my other sourdough scones, this recipe is so simple to make even for beginners.
- Wholesome Ingredients: The ingredients in this recipe are all wholesome to keep this recipe nourishing.
- Perfect for the Kentucky Derby: These scones are the perfect breakfast, snack, or dessert for Derby day!
Making Scones with Sourdough
When you make scones with sourdough, you get gut benefits from the cultures. If you long ferment the dough in the fridge for 12-24 hours before baking, those cultures ferment the other ingredients. This creates even more gut benefits!
My Sourdough Scone Baking Tips
- Use cold-stick butter and never margarine.
- Use a box grater (cheese grater) to shred butter instead of cutting it into the flour with a fork.
- Avoid overworking your dough.
- Don’t skip over chilling your scones in the fridge or freezer.
- Make sure your sourdough discard is thick and not super runny.
Ingredients for Chocolate Chip Walnut Scones
- all-purpose flour: I like using organic, unbleached all-purpose flour but you can use regular.
- light brown sugar: The brown sugar makes this scone so similar to the pie!
- salt: I like using sea salt but you can use any salt you prefer.
- baking powder: Aluminum-free is always a good choice.
- salted cold butter: You don’t want to use margarine for scone recipes.
- milk: You can use any milk you prefer.
- sourdough discard: This is just unfed starter.
- pure vanilla extract: I always like using pure extract rather than imitation vanilla.
- egg: You just need a large egg
- mini chocolate chips: Mini chocolate chips create the perfect layer of scone, chocolate, and walnuts.
- chopped walnuts: Derby pie can be made with walnuts or pecans. I prefer walnuts, they give these scones a wonderful flavor.
Kitchen Tools for This Recipe
Note: This section includes Amazon affiliate links of items I use and love.
How to Make Sourdough Chocolate Chip Walnut Scones
Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Mixing Sourdough Scone Dough
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 walnuts 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 crumbly, use your hands to combine it and incorporate the flour completely.
Chilling Options (Don’t Skip!)
Option 1 – QUICK SCONES: Place dough, covered with a lid or Saran Wrap, in FREEZER for 10-15 minutes before shaping scones. Not the fridge.
Option 2 – LONG FERMENTED SCONES: If you want to long ferment the dough so the sourdough can ferment the other ingredients and give you more gut benefits, place the dough in the FRIDGE, covered, for 12-24 hours. If you do this you do not have to do option 1.
Shaping Scone Dough
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.
Baking Sourdough Scones
Bake for 20-22 minutes until the bottoms are golden brown (stick a toothpick or knife into a scone, if it comes out clean they’re done).
Video Tutorial
How to Serve Derby Pie Scones
You can serve these scones for breakfast, as a snack, or along with other foods for the Kentucky Derby! The possibilities are endless. In our house, we love these scones just about any time of day!
Kentucky Derby Recipes to Serve with These Scones
- Southern Sweet Tea
- Southern Fruit Tea
- Ham & Cheese Sliders
- The Best Spring Fruit Salad
- Cheesy Bacon Grits
- Sourdough Chicken Minis
How to Store Sourdough Scones
Store scones in an airtight container for 3-4 days at room temperature or 5 days in the fridge. However, they are best if enjoyed within 3 days for freshness.
How to Freeze
Unbaked: If freezing them unbaked, wrap each scone in parchment paper and place into a freezer-safe container or baggie. These scones will last up to 2-3 months in the freezer, unbaked.
When you’re ready to bake, pop them straight into the oven without thawing. Add 2-4 minutes to the baking time.
Baked: If freezing them already baked, store in a freezer-safe container or baggie. They’ll last 3 months in the freezer. Thaw in the fridge or on the counter.
Best Way to Reheat Scones
I like to pop my scones into the oven or toaster oven at 400 degrees for about 5 minutes. This reheats them while keeping the texture. I don’t recommend microwaving them.
FAQs
Of course! Just follow the long fermented option in the recipe.
Yes, you can use pecans instead or even both if you desire.
Yes you can. Instead of using vanilla extract use bourbon.
More Sourdough Scone Recipes
- Sourdough Chocolate Chip Scones
- Sourdough Lemon Poppyseed Scones
- Sourdough Orange Scones
- Sourdough Banana Walnut Scones
If you made this recipe, give it a 5-star rating below and share a photo of your scones on social media stories! Be sure to tag @plumbranchhome
Recipe
Sourdough Derby Pie Scones (chocolate chip walnut scones)
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt (sea salt is my favorite)
- 1 tsp baking powder (I like using aluminum-free)
- 8 Tbsp 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 cup mini chocolate chips
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Mixing Sourdough Scone Dough
- 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 walnuts 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 crumbly, use your hands to combine it and incorporate the flour completely.
Chilling Options (Don’t Skip!)
- Option 1 – QUICK SCONES: Place dough, covered with a lid or Saran Wrap, in FREEZER for 10-15 minutes before shaping scones. Not the fridge.
- Option 2 – LONG FERMENTED SCONES: If you want to long ferment the dough so the sourdough can ferment the other ingredients and give you more gut benefits, place the dough in the FRIDGE, covered, for 12-24 hours. If you do this you do not have to do option 1.
Shaping Scone Dough
- 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.
Baking Sourdough Scones
- Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-22 minutes until the bottoms are golden brown (stick a toothpick or knife into the center of a scone, if it comes out clean they're done).
Video
What a fun Derby themed treat! Can’t wait to try this recipe!
Thank you so much!
These look delicious, can’t wait to try them!
Thank you so much!
These look so yummy!
Thank you so much!
Scones are one of my favorite recipes to make. Can’t wait to try this recipe. Thanks!
You’re so welcome! Enjoy!
Easy and very delicious scone!! 5 Star ⭐️ recipe
The chocolate and walnuts is a great combo of flavors!!
Thank you so much!! I’m so glad you love this scone recipe and gave it 5 stars!
If you choose to go the long ferment method do you just pull directly from fridge, shape, cut then bake?
Yes, that’s exactly what you’ll do!😊
This looks so good! What a great combination of flavors!
Thank you so much!
Thanks for sharing! Does it keep long?
You’re welcome! They will last 3-4 days at room temperature and up to 3 months in the freezer (baked or unbaked).