Chocolate Chip Coffee Scones: A Warm, Sweet Start to Your Morning

homemade chocolate scones

Imagine waking up to the comforting aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the sweet scent of chocolate melting into buttery pastry. That’s exactly what you get when you bake chocolate chip coffee scones — a treat that turns an ordinary morning into something special. These scones are golden on the outside, tender on the inside, and studded with rich chocolate chips that pair beautifully with coffee’s subtle bitterness.

Scones have long been a breakfast staple in many homes, but adding a touch of coffee takes them to a new level. The flavor deepens, the aroma fills your kitchen, and every bite feels indulgent yet comforting. Whether you’re baking them for a lazy Sunday brunch, a cozy afternoon pick-me-up, or a thoughtful homemade gift, chocolate chip coffee scones never fail to delight.

Ingredients: What You’ll Need

This recipe makes about 8 large scones or 12 smaller ones, depending on how you cut them.

Dry Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour (250 g)
  • 1 tablespoon instant coffee granules or espresso powder
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar (50 g)
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Cold Ingredients:

  • ½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick or 115 g), cold and cut into small cubes

Wet Ingredients:

  • ¾ cup heavy cream or buttermilk (180 ml)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Mix-ins:

  • ¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (130 g)

Optional Glaze (for extra flavor):

  • ½ cup powdered sugar (60 g)
  • 1 tablespoon brewed coffee
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. If you have a baking stone, it works wonderfully for even heat distribution.

Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, instant coffee, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This helps evenly distribute the leavening agents and the coffee flavor throughout the dough.

Step 3: Cut in the Butter

Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry cutter, two knives, or your fingertips, blend the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. You should still see small pea-sized bits of butter — they’re what create that tender, flaky texture in the scones.

Step 4: Add Chocolate Chips

Stir in the chocolate chips gently with a spatula or wooden spoon. Coating them with flour helps prevent them from sinking to the bottom while baking.

Step 5: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a small bowl, whisk together the cream (or buttermilk), egg, and vanilla extract. Make sure they’re well combined and smooth.

Step 6: Bring It All Together

Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Use a fork or rubber spatula to stir until a rough dough begins to form. Avoid overmixing — scone dough should be slightly shaggy and not overly smooth.

If the dough feels too dry, add one or two tablespoons of extra cream. If it feels too wet, sprinkle a little more flour on top.

Step 7: Shape the Dough

Lightly flour your work surface and turn the dough out onto it. Gently knead it a few times just until it comes together. Flatten the dough into a round disc about 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick.

Use a sharp knife or bench scraper to cut the disc into 8 wedges (like a pizza). For smaller scones, you can divide the dough into two discs and cut each into 6 wedges.

Step 8: Chill Before Baking

Place the scones on the prepared baking sheet and refrigerate them for about 15 minutes before baking. This step helps solidify the butter, which results in flakier, higher-rising scones.

Step 9: Bake

Bake for 16–20 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and the bottoms are firm. Rotate the tray halfway through for even baking.

Step 10: Cool and Glaze

Let the scones cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. If you want to add glaze, whisk together powdered sugar, brewed coffee, and vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle over the warm scones and let it set for a few minutes before serving.

Conservation and Storage

Chocolate chip coffee scones are best enjoyed fresh out of the oven, but you can easily store them for later.

  • At room temperature: Keep them in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
  • In the refrigerator: Store for up to 5 days; reheat in the oven for 5–7 minutes at 350°F (175°C).
  • In the freezer: Wrap each scone individually in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to 2 months. To reheat, bake directly from frozen at 350°F for 10–12 minutes.

Pro tip: You can also freeze the unbaked dough wedges and bake them fresh whenever you crave one. Just add 2–3 minutes to the baking time.

Variations: Get Creative with Flavor

One of the joys of baking scones is how easy it is to experiment with different combinations. Here are a few ideas to inspire your next batch:

  • Mocha Scones: Add 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder to the flour mixture for a rich chocolate flavor.
  • Hazelnut Coffee Scones: Stir in ¼ cup chopped toasted hazelnuts for a nutty crunch.
  • White Chocolate & Espresso: Replace the semi-sweet chips with white chocolate and increase the coffee powder slightly for a bold espresso twist.
  • Maple Glazed Version: Replace the coffee glaze with a maple syrup glaze for a sweet, autumn-inspired flavor.
  • Vegan Scones: Use plant-based butter and coconut cream or oat milk instead of dairy cream.

Each version brings its own personality to the table — from deep chocolatey notes to nutty, aromatic touches that elevate the humble scone into something extraordinary.

Tips for Perfecting Your Scones

Getting that ideal texture — crisp on the outside and tender within — depends on a few simple but crucial techniques:

  1. Use cold butter. The colder your butter, the better your rise. It creates steam pockets during baking, giving your scones their flaky texture.
  2. Avoid overmixing. Stir just until the dough comes together; overworking it will make the scones dense.
  3. Chill before baking. A short chill keeps the butter cold and prevents spreading in the oven.
  4. Don’t flatten too much. A thick dough gives you tall, bakery-style scones.
  5. Check early. Oven temperatures vary — start checking for doneness at 16 minutes.

Serving Suggestions: Enjoy Every Bite

These scones taste heavenly on their own, but you can make them even more special with a few serving ideas:

  • Classic Coffee Companion: Pair with a cup of freshly brewed coffee or cappuccino — the flavors complement each other beautifully.
  • Breakfast Spread: Serve with a small dish of clotted cream or mascarpone and a drizzle of honey.
  • Dessert Twist: Split them in half and add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of chocolate whipped cream.
  • Gift Idea: Wrap cooled scones in parchment and tie with twine — a thoughtful homemade gift for coffee lovers.

Conclusion: A Cozy, Flavorful Treat for Any Time of Day

Chocolate chip coffee scones combine two of life’s greatest pleasures — coffee and chocolate — in a single, comforting bite. They’re easy to make, freeze beautifully, and fit any occasion, from breakfast to dessert. Each scone offers a perfect balance of sweetness, texture, and aroma, proving that simple ingredients can create something truly special.

So next time you’re craving something cozy and satisfying, skip the café and bake a batch of these at home. With their rich flavor, crumbly texture, and irresistible coffee-chocolate pairing, they’ll quickly become a beloved part of your baking routine.

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Chocolate Chip Coffee Scones: A Warm, Sweet Start to Your Morning


  • Author: hafsahafsa
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 8 large scones 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Wake up to the irresistible aroma of buttery pastry, coffee, and melting chocolate with these Chocolate Chip Coffee Scones. Golden on the outside and soft inside, these bakery-style scones make mornings extra cozy. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon treat, each bite delivers the comforting balance of chocolate sweetness and coffee richness that pairs beautifully with your favorite cup of joe.


Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour (250 g)

1 tablespoon instant coffee granules or espresso powder

¼ cup granulated sugar (50 g)

1 tablespoon baking powder

½ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

Cold Ingredients:

½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick or 115 g), cold and cut into cubes

Wet Ingredients:

¾ cup heavy cream or buttermilk (180 ml)

1 large egg

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Mix-ins:

¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (130 g)

Optional Glaze:

½ cup powdered sugar (60 g)

1 tablespoon brewed coffee

½ teaspoon vanilla extract


Instructions

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk flour, instant coffee, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.

Step 3: Cut in the Butter
Add cold butter cubes to the flour mixture. Use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to work the butter in until the texture resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized bits of butter remaining.

Step 4: Add Chocolate Chips
Fold in chocolate chips so they’re evenly distributed and coated with flour.

Step 5: Mix Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the cream (or buttermilk), egg, and vanilla extract.

Step 6: Combine Wet and Dry
Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Gently mix with a spatula until the dough starts to come together. Avoid overmixing — the dough should be slightly rough. Add a splash of cream if it’s too dry.

Step 7: Shape the Dough
On a floured surface, shape the dough into a 1-inch (2.5 cm) thick disc. Cut into 8 wedges (or 12 smaller ones).

Step 8: Chill
Place wedges on your prepared baking sheet. Refrigerate for 15 minutes to chill the butter for flakier scones.

Step 9: Bake
Bake for 16–20 minutes, or until the tops turn golden brown. Rotate halfway for even baking.

 

Step 10: Cool and Glaze
Let scones cool for 10 minutes. For glaze, whisk powdered sugar, brewed coffee, and vanilla. Drizzle over warm scones and let set before serving.

Notes

Always use cold butter for flakiness.

Don’t overmix the dough — it keeps the scones light and tender.

You can freeze unbaked scones and bake them fresh whenever you like.

Optional: Brush tops with cream before baking for extra golden color.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: American, British-inspired

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 scone
  • Calories: 320
  • Sugar: 17 g
  • Sodium: 210 mg
  • Fat: 17 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 39 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 5 g
  • Cholesterol: 65 mg

Keywords: chocolate chip coffee scones, coffee scones, mocha scones, easy scone recipe, breakfast pastry

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