Vegan Chocolate Chip Scones

These Vegan Chocolate Chip Scones are buttery, fluffy, and soft with a wonderfully crisp exterior. And the gooey chocolate chips inside? Absolute perfection. This recipe is easy, customizable, and comes together in only 1 bowl. Let's learn how to make them!

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When I first started making scones, I was shocked to find how easy (and fun!) it was. Scones have something of a reputation for being uppity but I promise, anyone can make them. My Vegan Pumpkin Scones, Vegan Strawberry Rhubarb Scones, and Vegan Apple Cinnamon Scones are great examples.

What are Vegan Scones?

Vegan scones are a plant-based version of the traditional scone, a baked good that originated in the United Kingdom. They are made without any animal products, such as butter, milk, or eggs. These are instead replaced with vegan alternatives.

They are typically served as a breakfast or brunch item, often accompanied by vegan butter, jam, or a dairy-free cream alternative. As someone who has always been down to eat dessert for breakfast, scones are right up my alley.

Ingredients

One of the best things about this recipe is that you likely already have all of the ingredients on hand! If not, here is your grocery list:

Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour (2 cups): All-purpose flour serves as the base ingredient for the scones. It provides structure and texture to the scones, helping them hold their shape while baking.
• Sugar (⅓ cup + extra for sprinkling): Sugar adds sweetness to the scones, making them more enjoyable to eat. It also contributes to the texture of the scones, giving them a slightly tender crumb.
• Baking powder (1 tablespoon): Baking powder acts as a leavening agent, helping the scones rise and become light and fluffy during baking.
• Salt (½ teaspoon): Salt enhances the flavor of the scones, balancing out the sweetness from the sugar and chocolate chips. It also helps strengthen the gluten in the flour, contributing to the structure of the scones.

Wet Ingredients

• Vegan butter, cold (½ cup): Vegan butter provides fat and richness to the scones, creating a tender and moist texture. It also helps to create layers in the scones, resulting in a flaky and crumbly texture.
• Non-dairy milk (¼ cup): Non-dairy milk adds moisture to the scone dough, helping to bind the ingredients together. It also contributes to the overall flavor and texture of the scones.
• Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Vanilla extract enhances the flavor of the scones, adding a subtle hint of sweetness and aroma. It complements the chocolate chips and other ingredients in the recipe.
• Non-dairy chocolate chips (⅔ cup): Chocolate chips are the star ingredient in these scones, adding bursts of sweetness and rich chocolate flavor. They provide texture and contrast to the scone dough, making each bite deliciously satisfying.
• Vegan heavy cream (or non-dairy milk) to brush: This ingredient is used to brush the tops of the scones before baking. It helps to create a golden-brown crust and adds a subtle richness to the finished scones. Vegan heavy cream or non-dairy milk can be used interchangeably for this purpose, depending on preference and availability.

How to Make the Best Vegan Chocolate Chip Scones (with pictures)

Making scones doesn't have to be tricky! There are a few tricks you can do to ensure your vegan scones come out perfectly every single time. Sally's Baking Addiction and Food and Wine express the importance of cold ingredients as well as other universal tips for great scones.

We will apply these tips and methods when making these Vegan Chocolate Chip Scones.

Preparing the Dough

1. Combine Dry Ingredients and Fat: In a large bowl whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Place the bowl in the freezer to chill for 15 minutes. Once time has elapsed, remove bowl from the freezer and cut in vegan butter using a pasty cutter. Work the mixture until the butter chunks are about the size of large peas.
2. Add Wet Ingredients and Pull Dough Together: Create a well in the center and pour in the nondairy milk and vanilla extract. Stir to incorporate the ingredients and then fold in the chocolate chips. The mixture will appear dry but you should be able to pull it into a ball using your hands. Add a tablespoon of nondairy milk if necessary.
3. Chill: Shape the ball of dough into a flat disk and wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Place in the refrigerator to chill for 1 hour or overnight.

Cutting the Scones

• Shape Disk: Once dough has been properly chilled, place it on a sheet of parchment paper on a baking sheet. Shape it into a circle with an 8 inch diameter using a rolling pin or your hands.
• Cut: Cut into 8 equal-sized triangles. Space scones out as evenly as possible on the sheet using a spatula.
• Chill: Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator to chill for another 15 minutes.

Baking

• Prep: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 C) while the scones are chilling. Remove scones from refrigerator and brush the top of each one with vegan heavy cream or milk and sprinkle generously with coarse granulated sugar. 
• Bake: Place scones on center rack of preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes or until lightly golden.

Tips for Making Perfect Scones

1. Keep Ingredients Cold: This is a major key to great scones. Cold ingredients, cold ingredients, cold ingredients. Just like traditional scones, it's important to keep ingredients cold. You should also chill the dough as directed in recipe. This helps create a flaky texture in the scones.
2. Handle the Dough Gently: When mixing the dough, be gentle to avoid overworking it. Overworking the dough can result in tough scones. Mix until just combined.
3. Add Mix-ins Carefully: If you're adding mix-ins like chocolate chips or dried fruit, gently fold them into the dough just before it comes together. Be careful not to over-mix.
4. Chill the Dough: After forming the dough into a disc, chill it in the refrigerator for about 15-30 minutes. Chilling helps relax the gluten and solidify the fat, resulting in a better texture. I would also recommend chilling once more for the same amount of time after the scones have been cut.
5. Shape the Dough Properly: When shaping the dough into a disc and cutting out the scones, use a sharp knife or biscuit cutter. Avoid twisting the cutter, as this can prevent the scones from rising properly.
6. Brush with Non-Dairy Milk or Cream: Before baking, brush the tops of the scones with non-dairy milk or cream. Sprinkle generously with granulated sugar. This helps create a golden-brown crust. Don't skip!
7. Don't Over-bake: Keep an eye on your scones while they're in the oven. They're done when they're golden brown on the outside. Over-baking can result in dry scones.

Frequently Asked Questions

Vegan Chocolate Chip Scone Variations

One of my favorite things about this recipe is how customizable it really is. Here are some recipe variations to consider:

1. Double Chocolate Chip Scones: Add cocoa powder to the dough along with the flour to make double chocolate chip scones. Increase the amount of chocolate chips slightly.
2. Orange Chocolate Chip Scones: Add orange zest to the dough for a burst of citrus flavor that pairs beautifully with chocolate. You can also drizzle the cooled scones with an orange glaze made from powdered sugar and orange juice.
3. Nutty Chocolate Chip Scones: Add chopped nuts such as pecans, walnuts, or almonds to the dough for added crunch and flavor. Toast the nuts beforehand for a richer taste.
4. Coconut Chocolate Chip Scones: Add shredded coconut to the dough for a tropical twist.
5. Espresso Chocolate Chip Scones: Add espresso powder or finely ground coffee to the dough to create a mocha flavor. The coffee enhances the richness of the chocolate and adds a subtle caffeine kick.
6. Cinnamon Chocolate Chip Scones: Add ground cinnamon to the dough for a warm and cozy flavor that complements the chocolate chips. You can also sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top of the scones before baking for extra sweetness and spice.
7. Berry Chocolate Chip Scones: Add dried or fresh berries such as raspberries, strawberries, or blueberries to the dough along with the chocolate chips for a fruity twist. The tartness of the berries balances out the sweetness of the chocolate.
8. Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Scones: Swirl creamy peanut butter into the dough before adding the chocolate chips for a decadent flavor combination. You can also drizzle melted peanut butter on top of the cooled scones for extra "peanutty" goodness.

Feel free to get creative and experiment with different flavor combinations to find your favorite chocolate chip scone variation!

How to Serve Scones

Below I've listed several traditional serving options for vegan scones:

• Warm or at room temperature
• Sliced
• Toasted

Here are a few condiments and beverages you can enjoy with your scones:

• Vegan butter
• Jam
• Preserves
• Vegan whipped cream
• Vegan cream cheese
• Vegan Peppermint Hot Chocolate
• Vegan Pumpkin Spice Latte

Storage Options

Storing vegan chocolate chip scones properly is crucial to maintain their freshness and texture. Here's how to do it:

1. Allow to Cool Completely: Before storing your scones, ensure they have cooled completely to room temperature. Placing warm scones in a container can create condensation and make them soggy.
2. Store in an Airtight Container: Transfer the cooled scones to an airtight container. Make sure the container has enough space to accommodate the scones without squishing them.
3. Line with Parchment Paper: For added protection, you can line the bottom of the container with parchment paper. This helps prevent the scones from sticking to the container and absorbs any excess moisture.
4. Store at Room Temperature: Vegan chocolate chip scones can be stored at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. Keep the container in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
5. Freezing Option: If you want to store the scones for a longer period, you can freeze them. Wrap each scone individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, then place them in a freezer bag or airtight container. Frozen scones can be stored for up to 1-2 months.
6. Thawing Frozen Scones: When you're ready to enjoy the frozen scones, thaw them at room temperature for a few hours or overnight in the refrigerator. Once thawed, you can reheat them in the oven at a low temperature (about 300°F or 150°C) for a few minutes until warmed through.

By following these storage tips, you can keep your vegan chocolate chip scones fresh and delicious for several days or even longer if frozen.

If you make this recipe please tag @censoredbaker on Instagram!

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More Vegan Scone Recipes

• Vegan Apple Cinnamon Scones
• Vegan Blackberry Coffee Cake Scones
• Vegan Strawberry Rhubarb Scones
• Vegan Pumpkin Scones