Cozy Sourdough Discard Scones
There’s something truly magical about the scent of freshly baked goods wafting through the home, especially when the warmth of the oven embraces you like a beloved blanket on a chilly morning. These Cozy Sourdough Discard Scones are a deliciously tender treat that come together with a bit of love and care, turning your sourdough discard into something truly delightful. With a hint of gooey chocolate and a buttery richness, these scones evoke memories of snuggly afternoons spent reading by the fire, a steaming cup of tea in hand.
Whether you’re enjoying a lazy weekend brunch or need a quick snack to accompany your afternoon coffee, these scones are an easy, crowd-pleasing recipe that will leave you and your loved ones asking for more. This is one you’ll definitely want to pin for later!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick & Easy: These scones come together in under 30 minutes, making them perfect for an easy weekend morning treat.
- Sourdough Magic: Transform your sourdough discard into a delightful breakfast pastry that packs a punch of flavor and texture.
- Chocolaty Indulgence: Loaded with mini chocolate chips and drizzled with dark chocolate, these scones are sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.
- Tender and Flaky: The scones are buttery and flaky, creating a melt-in-your-mouth experience that feels comforting and cozy.
- Perfect Pairing: Enjoy them with a cup of tea or coffee for a cozy afternoon respite.
Ingredients You’ll Need for Cozy Sourdough Discard Scones
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 rounded teaspoon baking soda
- 2 rounded teaspoons cream of tartar
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- Dash of salt
- 1/2 cup cold salted butter (plus an additional 1 tablespoon)
- 1/2 cup sourdough starter discard
- 1 large egg (beaten)
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup mini chocolate chips
- 4 ounces dark chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons coarse raw sugar (optional)
Let’s Make It Together
Begin by refrigerating or freezing a metal bowl for 5 minutes. This helps keep your butter nice and cold, which is crucial for flaky scones.
Preheat your oven to 425ºF and prepare a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
In the chilled bowl, add the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, sugar, and a dash of salt. Whisk until the mixture is well-combined.
Cut the cold butter into small cubes and add them to the flour mixture. Using a pastry cutter or your fingertips, work the butter into the flour until it resembles coarse crumbs.
Make a well in the center of your flour mixture and add the sourdough discard, beaten egg, and buttermilk. Gently mix until just blended; it’s okay if there are a few lumps.
Fold in the mini chocolate chips, distributing them evenly through the dough.
Dust a clean surface with flour and shape the dough into a disk about 1 ¼ inches thick.
Using a sharp knife, cut the disk into 8 triangles and carefully place them on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake for about 12 minutes, or until the scones are golden brown and have risen beautifully.
Allow to cool for 3-5 minutes on a wire rack while you melt the dark chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Drizzle the melted chocolate over the cooled scones and sprinkle with coarse raw sugar for an added crunch.
Fun Ways to Customize It
Zesty Lemon: Add the zest of one lemon to the dough for a bright, refreshing flavor that pairs perfectly with chocolate.
Nutty Goodness: Fold in chopped toasted nuts like pecans or walnuts for an extra crunchy texture and rich taste.
Dried Fruits: Substitute the chocolate chips with dried fruits like cranberries or apricots for a sweet-tart twist.
Spiced Perfection: Add a teaspoon of cinnamon or pumpkin spice to the flour mixture to warm up the flavors, especially perfect for cool days.
Chef Emma’s Helpful Tips
Make Ahead: You can prepare the dough ahead of time, shape it into triangles, and freeze them. Bake directly from the freezer, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.
Ingredient Swaps: If you don’t have buttermilk, mix regular milk with a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice and let it sit for about 5 minutes before using.
Perfect Slicing: For neater slices, use a sharp knife and wipe it between cuts to prevent the dough from sticking.
What’s Inside – Nutrition Breakdown
- Serving Size: 1 scone
- Calories: 250
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Sugar: 10g
- Fat: 12g
- Protein: 3g
- Sodium: 200mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this ahead?
Yes! You can freeze the dough or baked scones for a quick grab-and-bake snack later.
Can I use different ingredients?
Absolutely! Feel free to swap out chocolate chips for other flavors, or try using different dairy substitutes.
How do I store leftovers?
Store any leftover scones in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also freeze them for a month.
How long does it last?
Baked scones are best enjoyed fresh but can last in the freezer for up to a month.
A Cozy Closing Note
These Cozy Sourdough Discard Scones are not just a recipe; they are a way to embrace food waste in the most delicious manner while creating a comforting treat for yourself and your family. With chocolatey goodness and a flaky texture, these scones are destined to become a seasonal favorite. Save this Cozy Sourdough Discard Scones recipe to your Pinterest board so it’s ready when you need a cozy treat!

Cozy Sourdough Discard Scones
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These tender scones made with sourdough discard are rich with chocolate and perfect for a cozy morning treat or afternoon snack.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 rounded teaspoon baking soda
- 2 rounded teaspoons cream of tartar
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- Dash of salt
- 1/2 cup cold salted butter (plus an additional 1 tablespoon)
- 1/2 cup sourdough starter discard
- 1 large egg (beaten)
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup mini chocolate chips
- 4 ounces dark chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons coarse raw sugar (optional)
Instructions
- Begin by refrigerating or freezing a metal bowl for 5 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 425ºF and prepare a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Add the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, sugar, and a dash of salt to the chilled bowl and whisk until well-combined.
- Cut the cold butter into small cubes and add them to the flour mixture. Work the butter into the flour until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Make a well in the center of your flour mixture and add the sourdough discard, beaten egg, and buttermilk. Gently mix until just blended.
- Fold in the mini chocolate chips, distributing them evenly through the dough.
- Dust a clean surface with flour and shape the dough into a disk about 1 ¼ inches thick.
- Using a sharp knife, cut the disk into 8 triangles and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for about 12 minutes, or until the scones are golden brown.
- Allow to cool for 3-5 minutes and then drizzle melted dark chocolate over the cooled scones and sprinkle with coarse raw sugar.
Notes
Customize with lemon zest, nuts, dried fruits, or spices for variety. Freezing the dough is an option for later baking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 scone
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg




