Every once in a while, when I was growing up, my mom would surprise my brothers and me with scones for Sunday breakfast. We’d wake up to the buttery smell and rush down to the kitchen. She didn’t save them for holidays or birthdays. She simply wanted to make that morning special by baking a homemade breakfast treat. Now I associate scones with an everyday type of joy; joy for joy’s sake.

As an adult, I understand at least part of the reason behind choosing scones, in particular, for a breakfast surprise. Compared to cinnamon rolls that need to rise or French toast cooked on the stove one serving at a time, scones are easy to make on a whim. Using a base of pantry staples, my mom could add whatever mix-ins she had around: cinnamon chips, frozen berries, or my favorite, chocolate chips.

Because of these memories, I have a particular taste in scones. They should be tall, crisp on the outside, buttery and tender on the inside, and never dry. These chocolate chip scones are all of those things. They’re sturdy but moist, rich with butter, and sweetened with just enough sugar to balance the chocolate without being cloying. I keep a stash of them in the freezer to bake up on mornings that could do with a bit more joy.