1-First, preheat your oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well mixed. This step sets the base for that light, airy rise in your scones.

2-Next, grate the cold butter or cut it into small cubes, then blend it into the flour mixture using a pastry cutter or knives until it resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the chocolate chips to distribute them evenly for those yummy bursts of flavor. In a separate cup, whisk the buttermilk and vanilla extract together before adding it to the flour mix, stirring just until combined to avoid tough scones.

3-Lightly flour a surface and knead the dough briefly, then shape it into a circle about 1 ½ inches thick. Cut the circle into halves, and each half into 4 to 5 wedges based on your preferred size. Place the wedges on the prepared baking sheet, brush with a little buttermilk, and sprinkle with sugar for a nice finish.

4-Finally, bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the tops are golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean. Let them cool on a wire rack before serving. For dietary adaptations, swap in plant-based options as needed to keep things simple and delicious. This preparation takes about 35 to 40 minutes total, including 15 minutes of prep time.