Irresistible Bacon Chocolate Chip Scones with Maple Glaze: The Ultimate Sweet & Savory Breakfast Treat
Prepare your taste buds for an extraordinary culinary experience with these incredibly tender scones, generously loaded with crispy, salty bacon and rich, melt-in-your-mouth semi-sweet chocolate chips. Crowned with a delicate hint of maple glaze, these Bacon Chocolate Chip Scones are the epitome of the perfect sweet and savory breakfast combination, promising to transform your morning routine into a moment of pure delight. Whether you’re craving something unique for brunch, seeking a comforting homemade treat, or simply looking to elevate your scone game, this recipe offers an unparalleled flavor adventure that will leave you wanting more.
The Unexpected Inspiration Behind These Unique Scones
Every truly memorable recipe often has a story, and these delightful Bacon Chocolate Chip Scones are certainly no exception. They are, in fact, the delicious culmination of a very specific and persistent pregnancy craving. For several weeks, my mind was utterly consumed by the idea of bacon and chocolate together, specifically imagining them in the form of fluffy, syrup-drenched pancakes. I found myself dreaming about this unlikely pairing, daydreaming about that first sweet and salty bite, and eagerly anticipating a free Saturday morning when I could finally bring this tantalizing vision to life in my kitchen.
When that much-awaited Saturday finally arrived, a curious and fortunate shift occurred. The intense desire for bacon and chocolate pancakes had transformed. Suddenly, what I truly yearned for was the comforting, crumbly, yet tender texture of a freshly baked scone. Scones, for me, have always been a favorite indulgence on a relaxed morning – a simple pleasure that feels both elegant and profoundly homemade. Embracing this new culinary direction, I decided to pivot. While bacon and chocolate pancakes surely would have been delicious, the resulting Bacon Chocolate Chip Scones proved to be nothing short of absolutely amazing, far exceeding any pancake fantasy and cementing their place as a new favorite.
The Irresistible Allure of Sweet and Salty: Why This Pairing Works
The concept of incorporating bacon into a sweet baked good might still seem unconventional to some, but it’s a culinary trend that has deservedly gained significant traction across the globe. From bacon-infused desserts to chocolate-covered bacon strips, the dynamic combination of savory, smoky bacon with the rich sweetness of chocolate has captivated the hearts and palates of food enthusiasts everywhere. While I’m certainly not the pioneer in pairing bacon and chocolate, these scones marked my first personal venture into this delightful fusion, and I can confidently say, I’m utterly hooked. The magic truly lies in that exquisite, balanced interplay of sweet and salty notes that permeates every single bite of these tender, homemade scones.
What makes this specific combination so compelling and universally loved? Bacon offers a crispy texture and a robust, smoky, umami flavor that provides a fantastic, earthy contrast to the creamy, sweet indulgence of chocolate. When these finely chopped bacon bits are baked into a fluffy, tender scone, they become even more intensely flavorful and slightly caramelized. Meanwhile, the chocolate chips melt into luscious pockets of pure bliss, creating a delightful surprise in every mouthful. This dynamic interplay of textures and tastes creates a complex and deeply satisfying treat that elevates a simple scone to something truly gourmet. It’s a symphony of flavors that dances on your tongue, ensuring each experience is as exciting and memorable as the last, making these sweet and savory scones a standout dish.
Expert Tips for Baking Perfectly Tender and Flaky Scones
Achieving light, flaky, and tender scones is an art, but it’s one that is surprisingly easy to master with a few key techniques. The secret to perfect scones largely lies in keeping your ingredients very cold and handling the dough minimally. Always start with exceptionally cold butter, cut into small cubes. This critical step ensures that the butter melts slowly in the hot oven, creating pockets of steam that are essential for developing those desirable layers and flaky texture. You can use a pastry blender, two knives, or even your fingertips to cut the cold butter into the flour mixture, aiming for a texture that resembles coarse meal with some pea-sized butter chunks still visible. Avoid overworking the butter into the flour, as larger pieces contribute to flakiness.
Equally important is the use of cold buttermilk. The acidity in buttermilk reacts with the baking powder, contributing significantly to a lighter, airier texture, and its cold temperature helps maintain the butter’s firmness within the dough. When combining the wet and dry ingredients, stir just until the dough barely comes together – a shaggy consistency is ideal. Overworking the dough develops the gluten, which will inevitably lead to tough, dense scones, and that’s precisely what we want to avoid. Once the basic dough is formed, gently fold in your prepared crispy bacon pieces and semi-sweet chocolate chips with your hands. This ensures even distribution throughout the dough without compromising its delicate, tender structure.
Shaping and Sizing Your Scones for Optimal Results
While my initial intention was to make four generously sized scones, my pregnancy appetite led them to be borderline extra-large! For a more standard serving size and easier handling, I highly recommend dividing the dough into eight smaller scones instead of four. This not only makes them more manageable to eat but also ensures more consistent and even baking, along with a better yield for sharing with loved ones or enjoying throughout the week. When shaping, lightly flour your work surface to prevent sticking, and then gently pat the dough into a rough square or circle, about 1 inch thick. Use a sharp knife or a round biscuit cutter (remember to press straight down without twisting!) to cut your scones. Twisting the cutter can seal the edges of the dough, which prevents them from rising as beautifully and creates a less flaky scone. Finally, place the shaped scones about two inches apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet to allow for proper airflow and ensure they brown evenly on all sides.
The Magic of Maple Glaze: A Nod to Classic Breakfast Flavors
A beautifully glazed scone not only adds an elegant visual appeal but also significantly enhances the overall flavor profile. Given that my initial craving was for pancakes, it was an absolute no-brainer to incorporate a delightful hint of maple into the glaze. Maple syrup, with its warm, earthy, and distinct sweetness, perfectly complements the smoky, salty bacon and the rich, indulgent chocolate. It acts as a culinary bridge, tying all these diverse flavors together in a harmonious and utterly delicious blend. It’s like bringing the very best elements of a classic breakfast plate—crispy bacon, fluffy pancakes (with their essential syrup), and even a touch of dessert—into one spectacular, cohesive bite.
The maple glaze itself is incredibly simple to prepare, requiring just powdered sugar, genuine maple syrup, and a splash of milk. Whisk these ingredients together until you achieve a smooth, pourable consistency. You can easily adjust the thickness of the glaze by adding a touch more milk for a thinner, lighter coating, or a bit more powdered sugar for a thicker, more opaque finish. Drizzling this luscious glaze over the slightly cooled scones adds a layer of sweet sophistication that makes these bacon chocolate chip scones truly unforgettable. Each bite offers a delightful journey: a moment with the savory bacon for that classic breakfast feel, a moment with the melted chocolate for pure dessert indulgence, and a moment with both for an explosion of pure, unadulterated yum! This irresistible combination makes them a versatile treat that can be enjoyed at any time of day.
Why These Sweet and Savory Scones Are an Absolute Must-Try
For those who, like me, believe that enjoying a little “dessert for breakfast” is not just acceptable but highly encouraged, these Bacon Chocolate Chip Scones are an absolute game-changer. Whether you’re experiencing intense cravings of your own, planning a special brunch, or simply a dedicated fan of inventive and delicious morning treats, this unique scone recipe is designed to impress and delight. It’s more than just a scone; it’s an adventure in flavor, a perfect balance of comforting familiarity and exciting new tastes, and a testament to how truly unexpected culinary combinations can create something utterly magical. Forget mundane breakfasts; embrace the extraordinary with these sweet, savory, and perfectly glazed masterpieces. They promise to be a delightful addition to your baking repertoire and a memorable treat for anyone lucky enough to try them.
Bacon Chocolate Chip Scones
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Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (260 grams)
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar (36 grams)
- 1 tablespoon baking powder (10 grams)
- ½ teaspoon salt (2 grams)
- ½ cup butter , cold and cut into cubes (113 grams)
- ½ cup buttermilk , cold (4 fluid ounces)
- 1 egg
- 4 strips of bacon
- ⅔ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (100 grams)
- 1 egg , lightly beaten for egg wash
- 1 cup powdered sugar (125 grams)
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1-2 tablespoons milk
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
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Cook the bacon in a frying pan over medium heat until crispy. Let it cool completely on paper towels to absorb the grease, then cut into small pieces.
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In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut the cold butter into the flour mixture using a pastry blender, two knives, or your fingertips until the butter pieces are roughly the size of small peas. Add the cold buttermilk and the whole egg, and stir until the mixture just starts to come together. Avoid overmixing. Gently fold in the cooked bacon pieces and semi-sweet chocolate chips with your hands until evenly incorporated, bringing the dough together into a cohesive ball.
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On a lightly floured surface, pat the dough into a rough square or round shape, about 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick. Cut the dough into 4 large scones, or for a more manageable size, cut into 8 smaller scones. Place the scones about 2 inches (5 cm) apart on the prepared sheet pan. Lightly brush the tops of the scones with the lightly beaten egg wash for a beautiful golden-brown finish.
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Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and the scones are cooked through. The baking time may vary slightly depending on the size of your scones. Cool the baked scones on a wire rack before glazing.
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While the scones cool, prepare the maple glaze. In a small bowl, combine the powdered sugar, maple syrup, and milk. Whisk until the mixture is completely smooth and free of lumps. Add additional milk, a teaspoon at a time, if needed to achieve your desired pourable consistency. Drizzle the maple glaze generously onto the cooled scones and let it set for about 10 minutes before serving.
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Scones are best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, freeze unglazed scones and glaze after thawing.