My family loves scones. In fact, it was Graham’s request for scones that launched my son Charlie’s homemade scone pop-up when he was 12 years old.
That was 13 years ago and ever since then, Graham requests scones for Father’s Day and any other special occasion. So, when I got David Lebovitz’s new book, The Great Book of Chocolate, and saw the Chocolate-Cherry Buttermilk Scones, I just had to make them. They are buttery and tender, super chocolatey, and have a terrific tartness from the cherries. They are perfection!
The fact that we devoured these scones and I promptly made another batch, will surprise no one, since David Lebovitz has built his reputation for producing delicious recipes and creating books we all want to bake from and read cover to cover. I am never sure if I enjoy his treats or writing more!?
Giveaway
Want to win one of three copies of David’s book, The Great Book of Chocolate? Simply leave a comment below about your favorite chocolate dessert. I will randomly select three winners next week and contact them via email! Giveaway ends Monday, June 22 at 11:59 p.m. central time. US addresses only. GIVEAWAY CLOSED! We have contacted the winners and are awaiting their confirmation.
Video
Ingredients
Scones
- 2 cups plus 1 tablespoon (290g) all-purpose flour plus more if necessary
- 7 tablespoons (90g) granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder preferably aluminum-free
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (125ml) buttermilk see note
- 1 large egg at room temperature
- Zest of 1 orange preferably unsprayed
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 8 tablespoons (4 ounces/ 115g unsalted butter) cubed and chilled
- 3/4 cup (90g) plump dried cherries, sour or sweet
- 1/2 to 3/4 cup (80g to 120g) chocolate chips or coarsely chopped bittersweet, milk, or white chocolate, or a mix
Cinnamon Sugar Topping
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar or coarse-crystal sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Vanilla Glaze
- 1 1/4 cups (150g) powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons whole or low-fat milk
- Scant 1/2 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or by hand), stir together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, egg, orange zest, and vanilla.
- Add the butter to the flour mixture and stir on medium-low speed until the pieces of butter are the size of chickpeas.
- Stir in the buttermilk mixture and mix on low speed until the dough begins to go from shaggy to starting to form a solidified mass. Add the cherries and chocolate chips and mix just until the dough comes together.
- Turn the dough out onto a countertop dusted with flour and knead it very gently two or three times to bring it together. If the dough is too sticky, add another tablespoon of flour, although scones turn out better when the dough is on the humid side, so add it only if it feels really wet.
- Use your hands to pat the dough into an 8-inch (20cm) circle. Cut the circle into eight equal-size wedges with a chef’s knife or pastry scraper.
- To make the topping, mix the granulated sugar and cinnamon together on a small plate. Press the top of each wedge heavily into the sugar mixture and set the scones, sugared side up, on
- the prepared baking sheet as you go, spacing them ½ inch (1.5cm) apart—because scones like to be baked close together.
- Bake until the scones feel firm to the touch on top and lightly golden brown up the sides, about 15 minutes. Let cool completely.
- To glaze the scones, mix together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla paste in a small bowl until smooth and creamy. Spread or drizzle the glaze over the scones.
Storage
- The scones are best the day they’re made, but they keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
It’s hard to pick just one favorite. I love a good piece of dark chocolate just melting in my mouth or the creamy luscious flavor of pudding or mousse. Plus who doesn’t like cake. I guess my favorite would be something that combines them all. A forkful of chocolate cake with shards of dark chocolate, creamy filling, hints of cherry…sounds like Black Forest Cake to me.
Oooo. It’s a toss up between a gooey deeply chocolaty brownie and a chocolate souffle for my favorite chocolate desserts. Thanks for sharing your (and other’s) amazing recipes!
Dark chocolate is my favorite. It’s even better when it’s paired with espresso!! Indulgent brownies, chocolate pie, chocolate frosting and my go to -fudge
I love all chocolate desserts but my favorite is turtle cake.
My favorite chocolate dessert is chocolate cake with vanilla frosting. With a big glass of milk.
Chocolate lava cake with a raspberry purée! Yum
Nick Malgieri Super Natural Brownies
I love anything chocolate but if I had to choose one it would be a devil’s food cake.
I have many favorite chocolate desserts so it is hard to chose. But a special one and worth the work is chocolate ganache tart with a pecan crust and caramel on the side.
My favorite chocolate dessert is chocolate mousse…or maybe chocolate chip cookies…wait, chocolate cream pie…no, chocolate trifle…ooh, brownies. Seriously, how does a chocolate lover pick just one ?!
Dark chocolate gal here! It might sound boring but a large chocolate chunk cookie, crisp on the edges and chewy in the middle, plus a few salt flakes on top is my idea of a perfect chocolate dessert/snack/breakfast dessert!
These chocolate cherry scones look amazing. I can’t wait to try them. My favorite chocolate dessert is chocolatey chewy nutty brownies, but chocolate cake with white Mountain frosting is a claw second..
Dark chocolate gal here! It might sound boring but a large chocolate chunk cookie, crisp on the edges and chewy in the middle, plus a few flakes on top is my idea of a perfect chocolate dessert/snack/breakfast dessert!
a tie between chocolate cake with delicious frosting and fudgy brownies
First, these scones look amazing! I’ll definitely be making them!
Favorite chocolate recipe: one bowl brownies off the back of the cocoa container! Always delicious!
Thank you for the recipe!
My favorite chocolate dessert is Brooklyn Blackout Cake tied with your Best Ever Chocolate Zucchini Cake!
My favorite chocolate dessert is chocolate pie of any variety.
Favorite chocolate dessert-Buttermilk Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Ganache
Frosting -simple, but really good!
Right up there is a chocolate chambord cheesecake which is a family favorite!
Fantastic scones!
My favorite chocolate dessert is a really good chocolate cake with layers of raspberry jelly and Chambord flavored whipped cream topped with a decadent amount of shaved chocolate. I also like an espresso enhanced moist brownie. My favorite caramel recipe comes from David Lebovitz! My daughter and I just made 16 batches to give out as favors for her wedding on June 27!
Chocolate-raspberry tart is my favorite! Thank you for sharing this recipe
Yum, can’t wait to try these! I just happened to buy some dried cherries, so it’s good timing. Favorite chocolate dessert? Probably just a really good layer cake, though brownies and chocolate mousse sound awfully good, too!
My favorite chocolate dessert is German Chocolate Cake! Mom made this for my dad and as kids we hated it. As we grew up it became a family favorite! Living in Michigan we have an abundance of quality dried cherries. Can’t wait to try this recipe. Thanks for sharing.
Oh no! My comment posted with a recipe rating and I haven’t made these yet! I am sure they are five star worthy, but I can’t edit my original comment. I am so sorry!