Irish Soda Scones Recipe (With Video)

Prep Time:

20 mins

Total Time:

40 mins

Servings:

8

Easier than soda bread and even more delicious, our Irish soda scones are a perfect St. Patrick's Day food. You need just one bowl and 20 minutes to make them (plus 20 minutes to bake). They’re leavened with buttermilk, baking soda, and baking powder so they get a nice rise, and they're studded with currants and caraway seeds for flavor. A simple glaze of confectioners’ sugar, whole milk, and orange zest takes them over the top. Enjoy them for breakfast, brunch, or with a cup of tea in the afternoon. They'll go fast at any St. Patrick’s Day party.

irish-soda-scones-103284800 — Raymond Hom

Making Irish Soda Bread Scones Ahead

To make the scones ahead, follow our recipe and form the scones. Freeze the unbaked scones in a single layer, transfer to a zip-top bag, and freeze for up to 2 months.

Baking From Frozen

Transfer the scones to a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake following recipe directions; you will probably need to add a few minutes to the bake time. Finish with glaze as directed in the recipe.

Directions

Preheat oven; mix dry ingredients:

Preheat oven to 425°F. Prep a baking sheet with parchment paper. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, granulated sugar, and salt.
Cut butter and work into dry ingredients; add currants, caraway, and buttermilk:

Cut butter into small pieces; work into flour mixture with your fingers or a pastry cutter until dough resembles coarse meal. Add currants, caraway seeds, and buttermilk; stir until just combined.
Scoop dough onto baking sheet; bake:

Scoop 1/3 cup-size mounds of dough onto prepared baking sheet, spaced 3 inches apart. Bake until bottoms are golden, 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool completely on sheet.
Make glaze and drizzle over scones:

Meanwhile, combine confectioners' sugar, milk, and orange zest. Drizzle over scones; serve.