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Date Scones With Orange And Dark Chocolate

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These date scones are flecked with orange zest and dark chocolate. Enjoy them warm with butter or honey as a festive winter treat!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 22 minutes
Chilling Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 7 minutes
Closeup of date scones on a cooling rack.

Medjool dates are one of my top snack choices. Their natural stickiness and caramel-like sweetness are so freaking delicious, and I love that they can work with sweet and savory recipes.

These date scones, made with butter and heavy cream, have a light, tender, cake-like texture. I love finishing them with a brushing of heavy cream and a sprinkle of coarse sugar for a hint of sparkle. The scones are packed with chopped Medjool dates, dark chocolate bits, and a zesty, floral hint of orange. Enjoy these scones plain, warm with butter, or drizzled with honey as a festive winter treat.

If you like the sound of these, you may also like my other scone recipes. For example, my raspberry scones are bursting with fresh, juicy berries, and topped with a tangy lemon glaze. Or, if you love blueberries, check out this heavenly combination of blueberry and white chocolate scones.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

✔️ This recipe is straightforward and approachable, ideal for home bakers looking to create something special and homemade.
✔️ Date scones are perfect for various occasions – a festive winter treat, breakfast, or dessert.
✔️ The natural sweetness of dates, with refreshing orange zest and rich dark chocolate, make an unforgettable flavor profile.

Ingredients

Ingredients to make date scones.

Ingredient Notes

  • Orange Zest: Adds a citrusy, floral note to the scones, enhancing their flavor with a fresh, tangy aroma.
  • Medjool Dates: Contribute a natural, caramel-like sweetness and sticky texture, making the scones rich and flavorful.
  • Dark Chocolate: Provides a rich, intense flavor that complements the dates’ sweetness and the orange’s freshness.
  • 35% Whipping Cream: Used in the dough for richness and brushed on top for a golden finish.
  • Coarse Sugar for Garnish (optional): Adds a decorative sparkle and a crunchy texture contrast to the scones.

It’s important to note that when making substitutions in recipes, the texture and flavor may be slightly different. However, these substitutes are the best options to change the original recipe.

Ingredient Substitutions

  • Orange Zest: Zest from lemon or grapefruit will add a different tangy flavor.
  • Medjool Dates: This is a recipe for date scones; however, you can substitute dried cranberries, currants, raisins, or even chopped dried apricots.
  • Dark Chocolate: Use any chocolate you like or can afford. I think mini chocolate chips would be great.
  • Coarse Sugar for Garnish: Try using sanding sugar or decorative sugar instead if you prefer.

Variations

  • Spices: Add 1 ½ teaspoons of cinnamon, 1 teaspoon of homemade chai spice, or ½ teaspoon of cardamom for a warm flavor.
  • Nuts: Stir in ½ cup of chopped walnuts or pecans for crunch.
  • Dried Fruit: Incorporate ½ cup of chopped dried apricots or figs for variety.
  • Citrus Glaze: Drizzle with a glaze made from 1 cup (120 g) of powdered sugar and 2-3 tablespoons of orange juice.
  • Herbs: Mix in 1 tablespoon of finely chopped rosemary or thyme for a savory twist.

Use the JUMP TO RECIPE button at the top of this post, or scroll to the bottom to see the PRINTABLE recipe card with ingredient measurements and complete instructions.

How To Make Date Scones

Process shots one through four for this recipe.

STEP 1: Place the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and orange zest in a large bowl and whisk to combine.

STEP 2: Add the butter and cut it in with a pastry blender or fork until the mixture is coarse and sandy. Place the bowl in the freezer for 30 minutes for the butter to harden.

STEP 3: Remove the flour from the freezer and stir in the dates and chocolate. Stir to combine.

STEP 4: Make a well in the middle of the flour. Add the cream and egg and whisk them together with a fork. Switch to a wooden spoon or spatula. Fold the mixture together until all of the dry bits of flour are incorporated.

Process shots five through eight for this recipe.

STEP 5: Dump the dough onto a lightly floured work surface. Sprinkle the top with a bit more flour. Working quickly, use your hands to shape and press the dough into a disc.

STEP 6: Using a long sharp knife, slice the circle into eight wedges. Flour the blade of your knife if you find the dough sticky. Transfer the scones to a parchment-lined baking sheet.

STEP 7: Brush the top of each scone with some heavy cream. Sprinkle with coarse sugar if using.

STEP 8: Bake the scones until the bottoms and edges are golden. Cool on a wire rack for at least 10 minutes before serving.

Expert Tips

1. Use a scale to weigh your ingredients for the most accurate and consistent results.
2. Use cold or frozen grated butter instead of the freezer method mentioned in the recipe.
3. Pressing a bench scraper around the edges of the dough will help shape it into a perfect circle before slicing the scone wedges.

Recipe Notes

  • Shape Options: You can cut the scones into circles, which may alter the baking time. Triangular wedges are recommended as they require no re-rolling, preventing the scones from becoming tough.
  • Orange Glaze: Once cool, enhance your date scones with a simple orange glaze. Mix ½ cup (60 g) of powdered sugar with fresh squeezed orange juice added by the ½ teaspoon until the glaze reaches a thick but pourable consistency. Drizzle or spread over the scones.

Storage

  • Freezing Unbaked Scones: Wrap unbaked cut wedges in foil and store in a zip-top bag in the freezer for up to 2 months. Bake directly from frozen, allowing extra time for a pale top and golden bottom.
  • Freezing Baked Scones: Follow the same wrapping method and store for up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature or gently heat through in the microwave or oven.
Date and orange scones piled in a box lined with parchment paper with a small dish of butter and a tiny pearl-handled knife.

Recipe FAQ

Can I use different types of dates instead of Medjool?

Yes, you can use other types of dates, though Medjool dates are preferred for their sweetness and texture.

How long will these date scones stay fresh?

Scones are best enjoyed within 2 days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. To refresh the scones, bake briefly at 350ºF (180ºC) until heated.

Can the scones be made ahead and frozen?

Absolutely! You can freeze baked or unbaked date scones for up to 1 month.

Did you make these date scones? Please rate the recipe and tell me how it went in the comments below. Also, stay in touch with me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest to see more delicious food and recipes!

Printable Recipe Card

Date and orange scones piled in a box lined with parchment paper with a small dish of butter and a tiny pearl-handled knife.

Date Scones With Orange And Dark Chocolate

Author: Kelly Neil
These date scones are flecked with orange zest and dark chocolate. Enjoy them warm with butter or honey as a festive winter treat!
5 from 3 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 22 minutes
Chilling Time: 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 7 minutes
Course Muffins & Scones
Cuisine British / Canadian
Servings 8 scones
Calories 422 kcal

Special Equipment

  • Measuring cups and spoons or digital kitchen scale
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Whisk
  • Pastry blender or fork
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Spatula or wooden spoon
  • Bench scraper optional
  • Long sharp knife
  • Offset spatula or butter knife
  • Pastry brush
  • Wire cooling rack
Need Metric Measurements?Use the button options below to toggle between US cups and Metric grams.

Ingredients
 
 

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for shaping the scones
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 medium orange, zest only
  • cup salted butter, room temperature
  • 1 cup Medjool dates, about 10 to 12 dates, pits removed, chopped
  • ¼ cup dark chocolate, chopped
  • ¾ cup 35% whipping cream, plus extra for brushing the scones
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tablespoon coarse sugar , optional for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Place the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and orange zest in a large bowl and whisk to combine.
  • Cut the butter into the flour with a pastry blender or a fork until the mixture is coarse and sandy. Smoosh any larger remaining pieces of butter with your fingertips. Place the bowl in the freezer for 30 minutes.
  • Preheat the oven to 350ºF (180ºC) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Remove the flour from the freezer. Stir in the chopped dates and chocolate. Make a well in the middle of the flour. Add the heavy cream and egg and whisk together with a fork. Once the cream and egg are well mixed, switch to a wooden spoon or rubber spatula and fold everything together until the flour is just mixed in.
  • Lightly flour a work surface. Dump the dough onto the work surface and sprinkle the top lightly with flour. Working quickly, use your hands to press and shape the dough into an 8-inch (20-cm) circle, about ¾-inch (2 cm) thick. Using a long sharp knife, slice the circle into eight wedges. Flour the knife blade if you find the dough a bit sticky. Slide a spatula under each scone and transfer to the prepared baking sheet.
  • Brush the top of each scone with whipping cream and sprinkle with coarse sugar if using. Place the scones in the oven and bake for 22 to 24 minutes or until the bottoms and edges are golden. Cool the scones on a wire rack for 10 minutes before serving. 

Recipe Notes

  • Shape Options: You can cut the scones into circles, which may alter the baking time. Triangular wedges are recommended as they require no re-rolling, preventing the scones from becoming tough.
  • Orange Glaze: Once cool, enhance your date scones with a simple orange glaze. Mix ½ cup (60 g) of powdered sugar with fresh squeezed orange juice added by the ½ teaspoon until the glaze reaches a thick but pourable consistency. Drizzle or spread over the scones.

Storage

  • Freezing Unbaked Scones: Wrap unbaked cut wedges in foil and store in a zip-top bag in the freezer for up to 2 months. Bake directly from frozen, allowing extra time for a pale top and golden bottom.
  • Freezing Baked Scones: Follow the same wrapping method and store for up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature or gently heat through in the microwave or oven.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sconeCalories: 422kcalCarbohydrates: 57gProtein: 6gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 72mgSodium: 532mgPotassium: 238mgFiber: 3gSugar: 28gVitamin A: 634IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 127mgIron: 3mg

Nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. If accurate data is important to you, please verify it independently.

Did you make this recipe?Let me know on Instagram @kellyneildotcom or tag #kellyneil!

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