Simple Irish Scones Recipe: A Fresh Twist on a Classic Treat

Flaky and golden, these traditional irish scones recipe bring a taste of emerald isle comfort straight to your kitchen.

Warm ovens and soft butter beckon with promise of delectable bites.

Every crumb tells a story of generations past, carrying whispers of irish countryside kitchens.

Simple ingredients dance together, creating a pastry that’s both rustic and elegant.

Scones emerge from the oven with a delicate crackled top, promising a tender interior that melts in your mouth.

Fresh cream and a dollop of jam transform these humble treats into a delightful breakfast or afternoon indulgence.

Bake these scones and let your senses travel to the rolling green hills of ireland.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 242 kcal

Servings: 13

What You’ll Need For Irish Scones

• All-Purpose Flour: The foundation that gives structure and classic tender texture, choose unbleached flour for richer flavor.
• Sugar: Adds subtle sweetness and helps with golden-brown exterior, white granulated works perfectly.
• Baking Powder: Creates magical rising effect and airy lightness, ensure it's fresh for maximum lift.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile and balances sweetness, use fine sea salt for even distribution.

• Eggs: Provides rich binding and contributes to golden color, select fresh large eggs at room temperature.
• Milk: Creates soft, tender crumb and helps blend ingredients smoothly, whole milk delivers best richness.

• Cold Butter: Delivers flaky, tender layers and rich taste, use high-quality unsalted butter directly from refrigerator.
• Raisins: Optional ingredient bringing delightful sweetness and chewy texture, choose plump, moist dried fruits.

Baking Tools For Irish Scones

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining dry and wet ingredients smoothly.
• Pastry cutter or fingers: Perfect for cutting cold butter into flour mixture.
• Baking sheet: Needed to bake scones evenly and create a golden surface.
• Parchment paper: Prevents scones from sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
• Biscuit cutter (2.5 inches): Creates uniform round scones with clean edges.
• Whisk: Great for beating eggs and mixing wet ingredients thoroughly.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient proportions.
• Cutting board or clean surface: Used for kneading and shaping the dough.
• Pastry brush: Helps apply egg wash for a beautiful golden finish.

Steps For Making Irish Scones

• Fire Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 400F. Grab a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper.

• Create the Dry Foundation

Toss flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt into a large mixing bowl. Mix them together like you’re preparing for a delicious adventure.

• Butter Magic

Drop cold, chopped butter into the flour mixture. Use your fingertips or a pastry cutter to blend until the mixture looks like rough, crumbly sand.

• Bring on the Moisture

Whisk milk and eggs in a separate bowl. Create a little crater in the center of your dry ingredients and pour in the wet mixture. Stir gently until a soft, pillowy dough emerges.

• Optional Flavor Boost

Want to jazz things up? Fold in some raisins for a sweet twist.

• Shape Your Treasure

Dust a surface with flour. Knead the dough gently for a minute until it feels smooth. Pat it into a circle about an inch thick.

• Slice and Prepare

Use a round cutter to transform your dough into perfect little circles. Transfer these beauties onto the prepared baking sheet. Gather up the leftover dough and create more scones.

• Golden Finish

Brush the tops with egg wash to give them a beautiful golden glow. Slide into the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes until they’re a gorgeous, warm brown.

Extra Baking Tips For Irish Scones

• Butter Chilling Trick: Keep butter ice-cold by freezing it for 10-15 minutes before cutting into the flour mixture, ensuring flakier and more tender scones.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap regular flour with a high-quality gluten-free flour blend, adding xanthan gum to help bind the ingredients and maintain proper texture.
• Flavor Boost Options: Experiment with mix-ins like dried cranberries, chopped nuts, orange zest, or dark chocolate chips to create unique scone variations that match your taste preferences.
• Low-Sugar Alternative: Replace sugar with stevia or monk fruit sweetener for a diabetic-friendly version, maintaining the classic scone taste while reducing overall sugar content.
• Freezing and Storage Hack: Prepare unbaked scone dough, cut into shapes, and freeze on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months – bake directly from frozen, adding 5-7 minutes to standard baking time.

Serving Ideas For Irish Scones

• Breakfast Bliss Plate: Pair warm scones with softly scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, and a dollop of fresh whipped cream for a hearty morning feast.
• Teatime Elegance: Serve scones on a delicate china plate with clotted cream, strawberry jam, and a steaming pot of Earl Grey tea for a classic Irish experience.
• Sweet and Savory Combo: Top scones with smoked salmon, cream cheese, and fresh dill for a gourmet twist that balances sweet and tangy flavors perfectly.
• Dessert Transformation: Drizzle warm scones with honey, sprinkle with powdered sugar, or add a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent after-dinner treat.

How To Store Irish Scones

• Quick Chill and Store: Place leftover scones in an airtight container, keeping them fresh at room temperature for 2-3 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
• Freezing Friendly: Wrap individual scones tightly in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer bag. Frozen scones maintain quality for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for best texture.
• Reheating Hack: Warm scones in a preheated oven at 300F for 5-7 minutes to restore their crispy exterior and soft interior. Avoid microwave, which can make them tough and chewy.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare scone dough in advance, shape, and refrigerate overnight. When ready to bake, let the dough sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before cutting and baking for maximum freshness.

Rustic Irish Scones Recipe

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• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Delightful Irish scones blend traditional Irish baking with simple, hearty ingredients that bring comfort to morning tables. Warm butter and fresh cream create a tender crumb that invites you to savor each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

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• 4 cups (480 g) all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup (170 g) cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
• 1 cup (240 ml) cold whole milk (or buttermilk)
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 cup raisins or currants (optional)
• ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
• 2 tbsps baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 egg, beaten with 1 tbsp milk

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Instructions

1. Oven Preparation: Preheat the oven to 400F (200C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper, creating an optimal cooking environment for golden, flaky scones.
2. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl, whisking thoroughly to establish a uniform dry foundation that ensures consistent texture and flavor.
3. Butter Integration: Introduce cold, cubed butter into the dry mixture, using a pastry cutter or fingertips to break down the butter until the texture resembles coarse, sandy crumbs that will provide rich, buttery layers.
4. Liquid Incorporation: Whisk milk and eggs in a separate bowl, then create a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Gently fold the wet mixture into the dry components, mixing until a soft, cohesive dough forms without overmixing.
5. Flavor Enhancement: Fold raisins or currants into the dough, distributing them evenly to guarantee a delightful burst of sweetness in every bite.
6. Dough Shaping: Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface, knead briefly to achieve a smooth consistency, then shape into a circular disc approximately one inch thick, preparing for precise cutting.
7. Scone Formation and Finishing: Use a round biscuit cutter to shape individual scones, placing them on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the tops with egg wash to create a glossy, golden-brown exterior that promises a delectable crunch.
8. Baking Process: Bake for 15-20 minutes until the scones develop a rich, warm coloration and achieve a perfectly crisp exterior, signaling their readiness to be enjoyed.

Notes

• Chill Butter Thoroughly: Keep butter extremely cold to create flaky, tender scone texture; freeze for 10-15 minutes before cutting into cubes for optimal results.
• Handle Dough Minimally: Avoid overworking the dough to prevent tough, dense scones; mix just until ingredients combine to maintain a light, delicate crumb.
• Control Moisture Carefully: Add liquid incrementally to achieve perfect dough consistency; too much liquid creates sticky dough, while too little results in dry scones.
• Customize Flavor Creatively: Experiment with mix-ins like orange zest, lavender, chocolate chips, or nuts to transform classic scone recipe and suit personal taste preferences.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Irish

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 242
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 113 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 65 mg