Soda Bread Scones
These Irish soda bread scones are soft, tender, lightly sweetened and perfect to enjoy warm with your favorite jam or simply with some butter. They are similar to Irish soda bread but are individualized scones that can be served at breakfast, tea or even dinner.
Quick, easy and perfect with a cup of coffee or tea, soda bread scones are Irish soda bread in scone form! If you don’t feel like making a whole loaf for St. Patrick’s Day, these mini soda breads are just as good as the classic.
You could also make our Molasses Brown Soda Bread in scone form if you want a bread that’s even sweeter.
With a buttermilk scone base, they are light, flaky and tender and taste almost like a cross between a tea biscuit and a classic English scone. The simple, humble ingredients come together for a wonderful tasting scone that is so good, everyone will think they came from the local bakery!
These scones are not dry at all and when warm right out of the oven served with your favorite jam or jelly it will be hard to eat just one!
Table of Contents
Ingredients for Soda Bread Scones
This soda bread scone recipe is great as is but feel free to add in some of the mix-in’s listed below!
- Baking ingredients: All purpose flour, salt and baking soda.
- Buttermilk: This is a must for these Irish soda scones. Do not substitute regular milk.
- Egg: Adds both moisture and helps bind the scones together.
- Granulated sugar: Adds a slight sweet taste.
Variations for the Soda Bread Scones
- Orange zest: Add up to ½ teaspoon orange zest.
- Seeds: Add up to 2 teaspoons of caraway seeds.
- Dried fruit: Up to ½ cup raisins, golden raisins or currants can be added.
- Chocolate nut: Add some chopped dark chocolate and nuts like I do in my chocolate nut Irish soda bread.
- Egg wash: Combine 1 egg with 1 tablespoon of milk then brush on top before baking
How to Make Irish Soda Bread Scones
The best part of this recipe for Irish soda scones versus traditional Irish soda bread is that you can enjoy them fresh right out of the oven!
Whisk dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together your flour, salt, sugar and baking soda to remove any lumps.
Combine wet ingredients: In another medium bowl mix together the buttermilk and egg.
Combine wet and dry ingredients: Make a well in the center of the flour mixture, pour in the buttermilk mixture and mix until the dough comes almost completely together.
Shape scones: Transfer the dough onto a floured flat surface and flatten it to 1 inch thick. Using a cookie cutter, cut the dough into rounds.
Chill: Place the bread scones on a prepared baking sheet lined with parchment paper and chill them in the fridge for about 30 minutes before baking.
Bake: While the bread scones are chilling, preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. When ready, bake the scones for 20 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack. Serve warm. Enjoy!
Scone Baking Tips
- Do not overwork the dough: Overworking and kneading your scone dough will lead to additional gluten development resulting in dense Irish scones.
- Do not skip the chilling time: When baking scones everything is better when cold! I prefer to chill the scone dough on the baking sheet so everything is cold.
- High temperature: You might think the oven temperature is too hot, but it is not! Baking at a high temperature for a shorter amount of time is best for scones.
How to Make Ahead Soda Bread Scones
Baked scones can be frozen for up to 2 months. Wrap them each individually to prevent freezer burn and store in a freezer safe bag.
You can also store unbaked scones in your refrigerator for up to 3 days. Arrange on a baking sheet and cover with plastic wrap. Bake as directed, no need to bring to room temperature.
Serving Suggestions
While these scones are amazing fresh out of the oven, they are even better split open with a pat of butter and some jam. You might even like them with some fresh lemon curd to cue all the spring feels that start to take place around St. Patrick’s Day!
If you love Irish traditional dinners, serve these scones with corned beef, potatoes, Irish colcannon or these Steak and Guinness Mini Pies.
FAQs
What is the difference between Irish soda bread and scones?
The two are so similar that is why we have combined them together into one! Both are lightly sweetened and have flour that has been leavened with baking soda and buttermilk.. Irish soda bread is formed into a loaf while these Irish soda scones are cut into rounds.
Can I cut these into wedges instead of rounds?
If you would like them to be shaped like a more traditional American scone cut them into triangular shaped wedges, the recipe will still work.
Do I have to use buttermilk in these soda scones?
Yes! Since we are using baking soda, buttermilk is necessary as it will react with the leavener to create a rise. Easily make your own buttermilk at home by combining 1 Tablespoon white vinegar or lemon juice with enough milk to make one cup. For this recipe you will combine 1 ½ Tablespoons vinegar with enough milk to equal 1 ½ cups.
What is the best way to reheat these Irish scones?
Reheat in a preheated oven at 325 degrees F for 10 minutes. If you are in a hurry, the microwave will work, just don’t overheat as your scones will turn out tough.
More Recipes To Try
- Strawberry Scones
- Simple Drop Biscuits
- Classic Scottish Shortbread
- Quick and Easy Sourdough Biscuits
- Simple Irish Tea Bread Recipe
Soda Bread Scones
Ingredients
- 3 â…“ cup All purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Baking soda
- 1 ½ cups Buttermilk
- 1 large Egg
- 1 ½ tablespoon Granulated sugar
Instructions
- In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, salt, sugar and baking soda.
- In another medium bowl mix together the buttermilk and egg.
- Make a well in the centre of the dry mix, pour in the buttermilk mixture and mix until the dough comes almost completely together.
- Transfer the dough onto a floured flat surface and flatten it to 1 inch thick. Using a cookie cutter cut the dough into rounds. Place the bread scones on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and chill them in the fridge for about 30 minutes before baking.
- While the bread scones are chilling, pre-heat the oven to 450F (230C). When ready, bake the soda bread scones for 20 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack. Serve warm. Enjoy!