Date Scones with Dark Chocolate and Orange

5 from 3 votes

These date scones are rich, tender, and flecked with chopped dark chocolate and orange zest. A simple treat for winter baking.

Prep Time15

Cook Time22

Chilling Time:30

Total Time1 7

Course: Muffins & Scones

Cuisine: British / Canadian

Servings: servings

Calories: 429kcal

Place the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and orange zest in a large bowl and whisk to combine.
Cut in the butter with a pastry blender or fork until the mixture is coarse and sandy. Use your fingertips to smoosh any larger pieces of butter. Stir in the chopped dates and chocolate, then 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 bowl from the freezer. Make a well in the centre, add the whipping cream and egg, and whisk them together with a fork. Switch to a wooden spoon or spatula and fold until the flour is just mixed in.
Lightly flour a work surface, then turn out the dough. Sprinkle the top with flour and quickly shape it into an 8-inch (20 cm) circle about ¾-inch (2 cm) thick.
Using a sharp knife, slice the dough into eight wedges, flouring the blade if needed. Transfer the wedges to the prepared baking sheet.
Brush the tops with cream and sprinkle with coarse sugar if using. Bake for 22 to 24 minutes, or until the bottoms and edges are golden. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes before serving.

For detailed ingredient notes, substitution tips, variations, and step-by-step photos, scroll through the full recipe post.
Use a digital kitchen scale for precise measurements and an oven thermometer to confirm your oven is heating correctly.
Slice the dough with a long, sharp knife in one clean motion instead of sawing back and forth.
Let the scones cool just long enough to set before moving them to a rack so they do not break apart.

Keep the cooled scones in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Freeze for up to 2 months and thaw at room temperature, or warm them in the oven for a few minutes before serving.