Description
Delicious and easy-to-make sourdough discard scones featuring a tender crumb, studded with mini chocolate chips and finished with a drizzle of melted dark chocolate and a sprinkle of coarse sugar. Perfect for using up discarded sourdough starter while enjoying a sweet, flaky treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 rounded teaspoon baking soda
- 2 rounded teaspoons cream of tartar
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- Dash of salt
Fat
- 1/2 cup cold salted butter (plus an additional 1 tablespoon)
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup sourdough starter discard
- 1 large egg (beaten)
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
Chocolate & Toppings
- 1 cup mini chocolate chips
- 4 ounces dark chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons coarse raw sugar (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Equipment and Oven: Refrigerate or freeze a metal bowl for 5 minutes to chill it. Preheat the oven to 425ºF (220ºC).
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In the chilled bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, sugar, and salt. Whisk thoroughly to blend the ingredients evenly.
- Cut in Butter: Cut the cold salted butter into small cubes or grate it. Add the butter to the flour mixture and use a pastry cutter to work it in, mixing until mostly incorporated with some small bits remaining. Break down any large chunks with your fingers to achieve a crumbly texture.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and add the sourdough discard, beaten egg, and buttermilk into it.
- Combine Mixture: Stir gently with a wooden spoon or spatula to mix wet and dry ingredients just until combined. Be careful not to overmix. Fold in the mini chocolate chips evenly.
- Shape Dough: Dust a pastry mat or a clean surface with flour. Turn the dough out onto the floured surface, then flip it so the floured side is on top. Pat and shape the dough into a disk about 1 ¼ inches thick.
- Cut Scones: Using a sharp knife, cut the disk into 8 equal triangular pieces, mimicking slicing a pie.
- Prepare for Baking: Place the scones on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a nonstick baking mat, spacing them slightly apart.
- Bake: Bake the scones immediately in the preheated oven for 12 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for 3-5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Melt Chocolate and Decorate: Melt the dark chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl by heating for 30 seconds, stirring, then continuing in 10-second intervals until fully melted. Drizzle the melted chocolate over the cooled scones using a spoon. Immediately sprinkle coarse raw sugar on top to set as the chocolate hardens.
Notes
- Chilling the mixing bowl helps keep the butter cold, which is key to flaky scones.
- Do not overmix the dough to avoid tough scones; mix just until combined.
- Use cold butter for the best texture.
- The sourdough discard adds flavor and tenderness to the scones.
- The coarse sugar topping adds a pleasant crunch and sparkle.
- Store scones in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or freeze for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: sourdough discard scones, chocolate chip scones, easy breakfast scones, baking sourdough discard, sweet scones recipe
