Name: Chocolate Pecan Scones Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 and 2/3 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 3 teaspoons baking powder; 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1 stick (4 ounces) unsalted butter, VERY cold and cut into tiny pieces; 1 large egg; 3/4 cup heavy cream; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 12 ounce bag chocolate chips; 1 cup pecans, chopped; 1 large egg, beaten; 1 teaspoon milk or water; 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar, for sprinkling

There’s something incredibly cozy about biting into a warm, crumbly scone with chunks of chocolate and crunchy pecans. This Chocolate Pecan Scones Recipe always feels like a little celebration in my kitchen – perfect for lazy mornings or an afternoon treat. Trust me, once you try these, they'll quickly become your go-to for something special yet simple.

Three triangular scones are stacked closely on a crumpled light brown paper. Each scone has a golden-brown crust with a rough texture and is studded with melted dark chocolate chunks and visible pecan nuts. The scones are lightly dusted with white powdered sugar, adding a soft contrast to the warm colors. The surface underneath is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Chocolate Pecan Scones Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Chocolate Pecan Scones Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Chocolate Pecan Scones Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I've made my fair share of scones, but this Chocolate Pecan Scones Recipe stands out because it balances tender crumb with just the right crunch and rich chocolatey goodness. Plus, it’s straightforward enough to whip up any time you’re craving a bakery-style treat at home.

Perfect texture: The flaky, buttery crust pairs beautifully with melty chocolate and crunchy pecans for a delightful bite every time.
Simple ingredients: Using pantry staples you probably already have, making these scones easy and quick to prepare.
Versatile treat: Great for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet afternoon snack with tea or coffee.
Impressively homemade: Your kitchen will smell amazing, and friends and family will think you’ve upped your baking game.

The image shows several golden brown triangular scones on crumpled parchment paper, each scone filled with dark brown shiny chocolate chunks and pecan nuts visible on the surface. A light dusting of white powdered sugar sprinkles over the scones, creating a soft contrast to the baked texture. The scones have a rough, crumbly surface with slight cracks revealing the soft inside. To the side, there is a white bowl filled with pecan halves in light to medium brown shades. Below the scones, some loose pecan nuts and smudges of melted chocolate add detail. The overall scene is set on a white marbled surface, giving a clean bright background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Chocolate Pecan Scones Recipe brings together simple yet powerful ingredients that create a tender, rich baked good packed with flavor and texture. Each component has its role, from the tender crumb to the sweet crunch.

Flat lay of a small heap of all-purpose flour, a few grains of salt scattered nearby, a small mound of light brown sugar, a sprinkle of ground cinnamon, tiny cold cubes of unsalted butter, one whole uncracked large egg with a clean shell, a small white ceramic bowl filled with heavy cream, another small white bowl holding vanilla extract, a small white bowl piled with glossy chocolate chips, a small white bowl containing chopped pecans, and a small white bowl with confectioners' sugar, all arranged with perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

All-purpose flour: Provides the structure; using all-purpose is ideal for a good balance of tenderness and chew.
Salt: Just a bit enhances all the other flavors, especially the chocolate.
Baking powder: The magic leavener that gives these scones a lovely lift and lightness.
Light brown sugar: Adds sweetness alongside a subtle molasses note that enriches the scones.
Ground cinnamon: A warm spice that complements both the pecans and the chocolate beautifully.
Unsalted butter: The key to that flaky, tender texture — make sure it’s very cold for best results.
Egg: Binds everything together and adds richness.
Heavy cream: Adds moisture and tenderness, helping the scones stay soft inside.
Vanilla extract: Brings a sweet aromatic note that enhances the overall flavor profile.
Chocolate chips: Use quality chocolate chips for rich bursts of chocolate — semi-sweet or dark works best.
Pecans: Chopped for a lovely crunch and nutty depth; toasting them lightly before adding can boost flavor.
Milk or water (for egg wash): Helps give the scones a gorgeous golden-brown finish.
Confectioners' sugar: A light dusting adds a touch of sweetness and makes them look bakery-fresh.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love that this Chocolate Pecan Scones Recipe is easy to tweak based on what you have or your mood—whether that means swapping nuts or adding a sprinkle of sea salt on top for contrast. This is your recipe to make your own!

Variation: Once, I replaced half the pecans with chopped walnuts and added orange zest—it gave these scones a bright, festive twist that my family went crazy for.
Dairy-free option: Try using coconut cream or a plant-based milk with added fat for a dairy-free but still tender scone.
Seasonal spin: Swap chocolate chips for dried cranberries and add chopped rosemary for a savory-sweet flavor in colder months.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Chocolate Pecan Scones Recipe

Step 1: Prep and mix dry ingredients

Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper (trust me, this saves clean-up headaches!). In a large bowl, whisk together flour, salt, baking powder, brown sugar, and cinnamon until evenly combined. This ensures every bite is flavored perfectly.

Step 2: Cut in very cold butter

Cut the butter into tiny cubes – the smaller the better, so it melts evenly while baking and makes for that signature flaky texture. Using your fingers, two forks, or a pastry cutter, quickly work the butter into the dry mixture until it looks like coarse crumbs with pea-sized bits of butter still visible. Don’t overwork it or the scones will be tough!

Step 3: Add wet ingredients and mix gently

In a separate cup, whisk together the egg, heavy cream, and vanilla. Pour this into the flour mixture, then add the chocolate chips and chopped pecans. Use a fork to stir everything just until moistened – the dough should look a bit shaggy and loose, and that’s perfect. Resist the urge to overmix.

Step 4: Shape and cut the dough

Dump the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead it gently a few times until it’s mostly cohesive. Shape it into an 8-inch disc, about 1 to 1.5 inches thick. Using a sharp knife, cut the disc into 8 even wedges. This classic shape makes them feel extra special.

Step 5: Add egg wash and bake

Carefully transfer the wedges to your prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between them for spreading. Lightly brush the tops with a mixture of beaten egg and milk (or water). This step gives the scones their gorgeous golden shine as they bake. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until lightly golden and puffed up.

Step 6: Cool and finish

Let the scones cool on the baking sheet for about 10 minutes—this helps them set and makes transferring less risky. Before serving, I like to sprinkle them with a little confectioners' sugar for a delicate, sweet finish that looks so bakery-fresh.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned some little tricks that help this Chocolate Pecan Scones Recipe come out consistently perfect. Baking scones well can be tricky if you’re not careful with the butter and mixing!

Keep the butter ice-cold: I pop my cubed butter back in the fridge a few minutes if it starts to soften while mixing—this creates those flaky buttery pockets.
Don’t overmix the dough: The dough looks shaggy and that's okay — mixing just enough makes sure the scones stay tender and light instead of dense and chewy.
Use fresh baking powder: It makes a surprising difference in helping your scones rise beautifully, so double-check the date!
Egg wash for shine: Applying the egg wash right before baking gives a golden crust that looks like you bought these at a bakery—your guests will be impressed!

How to Serve Chocolate Pecan Scones Recipe

chocolate pecan scones - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually dust these scones with a little confectioners’ sugar for that classic bakery look, but I also love topping them with a tiny pat of butter or a drizzle of honey right before serving. If you want a touch of indulgence, a smear of clotted cream or mascarpone is heavenly.

Side Dishes

To round out the spread, I often serve these with cups of rich cappuccino or spiced chai. Fresh fruit, like sliced berries or citrus segments, pairs wonderfully and balances the richness. A dollop of whipped cream or a homemade fruit jam also takes things up a notch.

Creative Ways to Present

For brunch parties, I arrange the scones on a tiered cake stand with small bowls of pecans, chocolate chips, and various spreads around so guests can customize their own. Wrapping individual scones in parchment paper tied with twine also makes a charming and delicious gift idea.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I like to store leftover scones in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. This keeps them tender without drying out. If you’re thinking of enjoying them over a few days, refrigeration works too but can make them a bit firmer.

Freezing

One of the best things about this Chocolate Pecan Scones Recipe is how well the dough freezes. I usually shape and cut the dough, then freeze the wedges on a baking sheet before transferring them to a bag. When you want fresh scones, bake directly from frozen—just add a couple extra minutes to the baking time.

Reheating

To freshen up leftover scones, I reheat them in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes or until warm and slightly crisp on the outside. This revives that fresh-baked texture much better than the microwave.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I substitute the pecans with other nuts?

Yes! Walnuts, almonds, or even hazelnuts make excellent alternatives. Just toast them lightly for extra flavor and chop roughly to keep the crunch.

How do I prevent my scones from becoming dry?

Avoid overmixing your dough and make sure the butter is very cold. Also, don’t overbake; scones should be slightly soft inside with a golden crust. Use heavy cream as the moistening liquid to help keep tenderness.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! Prepare the dough, shape it into a disc, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Then cut and bake when ready. This lets the flavors develop and makes baking day even easier.

What type of chocolate chips work best?

Semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate chips are my favorites because they balance the sweetness of the scone without overpowering the nutty flavors. You can also mix in mini chips for little pockets of melty chocolate.

Final Thoughts

I honestly adore this Chocolate Pecan Scones Recipe because it combines the best of textures and flavors that feel both indulgent and approachable. Whether you’re baking for yourself or sharing with loved ones, these scones are bound to bring smiles. Give them a try—you might just find you’re the person everyone’s asking for the recipe!