These classic flaky scones with chocolate chips and dried cherries will win you over! No dried cherries? Use any dried fruit you like. Blueberries, raisins, craisins, you name it! They only take 30 minutes to make!
These delicious chocolate chip scones are perfect with a cup of tea, coffee or my Spiced Chai Tea Latte.
Easy Scone Recipe
There is something incredibly grounding and soothing in the baking process. There is even more comfort in eating the fruits of you labour.
Wouldn’t you perk up if someone pulled these scones fresh from them oven and plopped them in front of you? I know you would. Therefore, an easy and reliable recipe is needed to produce little joys we all need right now.
A basic British scone recipe is easier than easy. It is simply a combination of flour with the rising agent like baking soda and baking powder and butter cut into, then enriched with eggs and a little of milk.
The success of a soft and crumbly scones comes from the dough making technique. It’s crucial not to overwork it and do as little mixing as possible. Otherwise your scones will turn stones! Sorry I had to so there! Yes, they will be tough if mixed too much.
Chocolate Chip Scones
Once you master the basic recipe. You can add anything you like to them. Dried fruit is a classic scones addition. However, I bet anything if you have kids, they will prefer scones with chocolate chips to fruit scones or better yet chocolate chunks!
I’ve also added dried cherries to mine as I find chocolate and cherries to be a winning combination but go with your personal preference. You can use dried or fresh fruit available to you.
Julia Tip
If you you dried fruit, make sure to rehydrate it before adding to the dough. Just 30 minutes in orange juice will do the trick. If you are making scones for a nice brunch, use Port instead of orange juice for extra flavour!
These chocolate chips scones are perfect for enjoying while staying in. You might also choose snuggle up with your little ones or your partner.
Watch a favourite movie, read a really great book together or have a tea party. Then serve this scones with a bit of butter or whipped cream and a really tasty jam.
This recipe was originally published in 02/2014. Updated and republished in 03/2020.
Chocolate Chip Scones with Dried Cherries
Ingredients
- 150g/1 cup dried cherries
- 250ml/1 cup orange juice for soaking cherries
- 450g/4 cups all purpose flour
- 50g/1/4 cup caster sugar
- 1 Tbsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 125g/1/2 cup chilled butter
- 2 eggs large
- 4 tbsp milk
- 90g/1/2 cup chocolate chips or chopped chocolate
- 1-2 tbsp half and half/single cream for brushing
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F/200C. Soak cherries in orange juice for 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a large bowl combine flour, sugar, baking powder and baking soda. Cut butter into the flour mixture with a pastry blender or pulse it in a food processor until the mixture resembles bread crumbs.
- Beat the eggs and milk with a fork and drain cherries. Make a well in the flour mixture and pour in the milk and eggs, add cherries and chocolate, mix well until you form soft dough. (If your dough is too sticky add a bit of flour).
- Turn out on a floured surface and roll it out ¾" thick. Cut scones with a round pastry cutter. You will have 16-18 scones.
- Place on a parchment lined baking sheet, and brush the tops of your scones with half & half or single cream. Sprinkle with a bit of sugar if desired. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes.
