Orange Chocolate Chip Scone Bread

The aroma of freshly baked Orange Chocolate Chip Scone Bread fills my kitchen, instantly transporting me to pure comfort. This delightful bread, with its soft crumb and bursts of citrus and chocolate, is truly a favorite in our home. It reminds me of the simple joys of baking, much like the warmth of a classic apricot bread from my childhood. I remember experimenting with scone recipes years ago, trying to find that perfect balance of flaky and tender. One rainy afternoon, I decided to combine the best parts of a scone with the ease of a quick bread, and this delightful creation was born. It’s a low-stress recipe that delivers immense comfort, perfect for a cozy breakfast or an afternoon treat. My tip for ultimate flavor? Don’t skimp on fresh orange zest!

What Goes Into This Delightful Bake

Crafting this Orange Chocolate Chip Scone Bread requires a few simple ingredients I always have on hand, like rich unsalted butter, creamy heavy cream, and vibrant orange zest, which truly makes all the difference. Just like my favorite rhubarb banana bread, the full list of precise measurements awaits you in the recipe card below.

How to Make Orange Chocolate Chip Scone Bread

Making this Orange Chocolate Chip Scone Bread is a wonderfully straightforward process that starts with preparing the dough, then baking it until golden, and finally, adding a luscious glaze. It’s a rhythmic dance in the kitchen, much like shaping perfect almond flour rolls, and so rewarding. With just 20 minutes of prep and 40 minutes of cook time, you’ll have a warm loaf in no time.

Pro Tips for Making This Orange Chocolate Chip Scone Bread

Getting that perfect texture and flavor in your Orange Chocolate Chip Scone Bread is all about a few simple tricks I’ve learned over the years. I always tell my friends, don’t overmix the dough! A light hand ensures a tender crumb every time.

For Extra Zest and Flavor

I love to add a little extra orange zest directly into the dry ingredients before mixing in the wet. This really helps to infuse that bright citrus flavor throughout the entire loaf.

Avoiding a Dry Loaf

My Secret Trick: My secret trick for moist scone bread is to use cold butter cut into small pieces and work it quickly into the flour mixture with my fingertips. This creates those lovely pockets of butter that melt and steam, giving you an incredibly tender result. Also, be careful not to overbake; a toothpick should come out with just a few moist crumbs.

How to Store This Delicious Scone Bread

To keep your Orange Chocolate Chip Scone Bread tasting fresh, I always recommend storing it properly. Once cooled completely, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. It will stay fresh at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to enjoy it longer, you can freeze individual slices for up to a month.

Reheating for Best Flavor

When reheating from frozen, I gently warm slices in a toaster oven or microwave until soft and fragrant. This brings back that wonderful fresh-baked texture and makes it taste just like it did the day you made it. My personal tip? A quick zap in the microwave often works wonders!

A Wholesome Treat for the Family

While this Orange Chocolate Chip Scone Bread is a delightful indulgence, I appreciate that it offers some simple goodness too. The fresh orange zest provides a touch of Vitamin C, and the eggs and dairy contribute protein and calcium, making it a comforting choice for my family’s breakfast table.

FAQs

Can I substitute other fruits for the orange zest in this recipe?

You certainly can! While the bright citrus in this Orange Chocolate Chip Scone Bread is a key flavor, I’ve successfully swapped in lemon or lime zest for a different tangy twist. Just be mindful of the juice quantity if you’re adjusting that too. It’s all about experimenting to find your family’s favorite combination.

What kind of chocolate chips work best?

I always reach for mini chocolate chips when making this Orange Chocolate Chip Scone Bread. They distribute more evenly throughout the dough, ensuring every bite has a perfect speckle of chocolate without overwhelming the delicate orange flavor. Dark chocolate chips are my preference for a richer contrast, but semi-sweet works wonderfully too.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can! To get a head start, I often prepare the dough for this Orange Chocolate Chip Scone Bread the night before. Simply mix the dough, form it into the loaf pan, cover it tightly, and refrigerate. In the morning, let it sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before baking as usual.

How do I get a perfectly golden crust?

For that beautiful golden-brown crust on your Orange Chocolate Chip Scone Bread, I find that baking it in a preheated oven at the correct temperature is key. Some ovens run cooler, so a quick check with an oven thermometer can ensure accuracy. The rich butter also helps achieve a lovely golden hue.

Emma

Zesty Orange Chocolate Chip Scone Bread

This delightful scone bread combines the bright zest of orange with rich chocolate chips in a tender, buttery loaf that's perfect for breakfast or brunch. It's a comforting treat that's easier than individual scones.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Servings: 8 slices

Course: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert

Cuisine: American

Calories: 380

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the Scone Bread

• 2.5 cups All-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup Granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp Baking powder
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 1/2 cup Unsalted butter cold, cubed (1 stick)
• 1 Large egg room temperature
• 3/4 cup Heavy cream cold
• 1 tbsp Orange zest from 1 large orange
• 3/4 cup Mini chocolate chips

For the Orange Glaze

• 1 cup Powdered sugar
• 2-3 tbsp Fresh orange juice from the zested orange

Equipment

• 9x5 inch loaf pan
• Large mixing bowl
• Medium Mixing Bowl
• Whisk
• Rubber spatula
• Grater/Zester
• Measuring Cups and Spoons
• Wire rack

Method

 

Dough Preparation

• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease and flour a 9x5 inch loaf pan, or line with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the long sides to easily lift the bread out.
• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt.
• Add the cold, cubed unsalted butter to the dry ingredients. Use a pastry blender, two knives, or your fingertips to cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining.
• In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the egg and cold heavy cream. Pour this wet mixture into the flour and butter mixture. Add the orange zest.
• Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the mixture until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few dry spots are okay. Gently fold in the mini chocolate chips until evenly distributed.
• Transfer the scone bread dough into the prepared loaf pan. Press it down gently and spread evenly to fill the pan. The dough will be thick and slightly crumbly.

Baking

• Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top starts to brown too quickly, you can loosely tent it with foil.
• Remove the scone bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes on a wire rack. Then, carefully lift it out using the parchment paper overhang or invert it onto the wire rack to cool completely.

Glazing

• While the bread cools, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons of fresh orange juice until smooth. If the glaze is too thick, add a tiny bit more orange juice, a teaspoon at a time, until it reaches a pourable consistency.
• Once the scone bread is completely cool, drizzle the orange glaze generously over the top. Let the glaze set for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

Store leftover scone bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For best results, warm slightly before serving.

Conclusion

I truly hope you’ll try this delightful Orange Chocolate Chip Scone Bread and make it a cherished part of your family’s recipe collection. It’s a wonderful example of how simple ingredients can come together to create something truly comforting and memorable, much like my go-to keto brioche bread. Baking shouldn’t be stressful, and this recipe delivers pure joy and deliciousness with every slice.

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