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+ servings

Sourdough Scones

These scones are tender, flaky, and infused with a hint of tangy flavor, making them a perfect treat for any time of the day.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time18 minutes
Total Time28 minutes
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Sourdough Scones
Servings: 12 scones
Calories: 340kcal
Author: Katie

Ingredients

  • 10 tablespoon unsalted butter (frozen and grated)
  • ½ cup milk (cold)
  • ½ cup sourdough discard (cold)
  • 2 cups flour
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 2 teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • 1 ½ cup chocolate chips (optional)
  • 2 tablespoon heavy cream (optional)
  • 3 tablespoon raw sugar or sanding sugar (optional)

Instructions

  • Prep. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with a piece of parchment paper and set aside. *Optional step: If your butter isn’t frozen, using a cheese grater, grate the butter then place it on a plate and place it in the freezer for 5 minutes.*
  • Mix dry ingredients. In a large mixing bowl add the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Using a whisk, stir to combine. *If you’re making blueberry scones, this is where you would add the lemon zest.*
    Two images showing a bowl with dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda) before and after mixing, with a whisk and chocolate chips nearby.
  • Add butter. Add the frozen grated butter to the bowl with the flour. Using a pastry cutter, cut the butter into the flour mixture. Set aside.
    Two images showing grated frozen butter added to the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl and then mixed using a pastry cutter.
  • Mix liquids together. In a small bowl add the milk and sourdough discard. Using a whisk, stir to combine.
    Bowl containing milk and sourdough discard, ready to be mixed with a whisk.
  • Add liquids to the dough. Pour the milk and sourdough mixture onto the flour mixture. Using a spatula or wooden spoon stir to combine as much of the mixture as you can.
    Two images showing the wet mixture being added to the dry mixture and then the combined dough starting to form.
  • Add mix-ins. Next, add the chocolate chips (if using) *If you’re making blueberry scones this is when you would add the blueberries.*
    Bowl of dough with chocolate chips poured on top, ready to be mixed in.
  • Finish dough. Turn the dough out onto a clean dry surface, gently folding the dough into itself to incorporate the remaining flour mixture and chocolate chips.
  • Gently shape and chill. Shape the dough into an oval and place it on a piece of parchment paper. Place it into the fridge for 8 minutes.
    Dough mixed with chocolate chips, shaped into an oval on a piece of parchment paper.
  • Cut. Remove the dough from the fridge. Using a knife or bench scraper, cut the dough into 12 triangles.
    Triangular pieces of scone dough arranged on a parchment-lined baking sheet, ready for baking.
  • Place on baking sheet. Transfer the cut dough onto the parchment-lined baking sheet. *If you’re making plain scones, brush the tops with some heavy cream and sprinkle with some sanding sugar.*
  • Bake. Bake at 425 degrees F for 18-20 minutes or until the scones are golden brown.
    Finished baked sourdough scones.

Notes

For a tender and flaky scone, you want to make sure the wet ingredients you use are very cold. I like to refrigerate my sourdough and discard it overnight before using it.
Starting with a very cold stick of butter is easier to grate. Once the butter has been grated, place the butter on a plate and place it in the freezer for at least 5 minutes before using. Grating the butter beforehand will help incorporate the butter with the dry ingredients without warming the dough up.
For plain scones, omit the chocolate chips and brush the tops with some heavy cream and a sprinkle of raw sugar (sanding sugar). 
If you’d like to add in blueberries, replace the chocolate chips with the blueberries and add in the zest of 1 medium lemon.

Nutrition

Calories: 340kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 29mg | Sodium: 245mg | Potassium: 107mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 25g | Vitamin A: 345IU | Vitamin C: 0.01mg | Calcium: 76mg | Iron: 1mg